Comics

Review: ‘The Occultist’ #1

Published

11 years ago

October 4, 2013

Mike Richardson, Tim Seeley and Mike Norton’s “The Occultist” #1 is a dark sliver of escapist entertainment, that’s crawling with the kind of vision and foresight Dark Horse Comics needs to expand their burgeoning superhero line. While maintaining the perfect balance of horror and occultism, the first installment establishes its coming-of-age narrative, and builds on the Occultist’s origin story, in a way that will surely resonate with readers.

WRITTEN BY: Tim Seeley
ART BY: Mike Norton
PUBLISHER: Dark Horse Comics
PRICE: $3.50
RELEASE: October 2, 2013

Having first debuted as a one-shot in 2010, followed by a three-issue miniseries in 2011, and a featured short in Dark Horse Presents last year, “The Occultist” is finally back for another supernatural adventure at Dark Horse Comics. To shed some light on the established universe so far, protagonist Rob Bailey, a mild-mannered college student, comes across an ancient magical book of spells called ‘The Sword against the Dead.’ He is chosen by the book to become the wielder of the Sword, also known as the Occultist; sworn to protect all those living and dead, from the forces of evil.

Seeley writes Rob with as much depth and believability the protagonist needs for him to become an authentically engaging character. But it’s his inescapable destiny and abilities as the wielder of the Sword that will compel readers to care about his tale. While his specific calling as ‘the chosen one’ isn’t remotely relatable, his exposition of humanity — be it through common insecurities, personal relationships, academia, etc. — will allow readers to see themselves in Mike Richardson’s creation.

Seeley and Norton’s five-part miniseries picks up close to where the last book ended, with Rob settling into his role as the Occultist. It also sees the return of ally and foe; Detective Anna Melendez and Technoshaman Aiden Beck, respectfully. The story will explore Beck’s attempts to get the Sword to reject the Occultist, while he’s duplicitously disguised as Rob’s mentor, Mr. James Charles. By the end of the issue, readers are introduced to an intriguing, magic practicing, Catholic schoolgirl, who will play a vital role in the overall narrative.

Mike Norton’s artwork opens the series with a visual bang. Wonderfully energetic illustrations that encompass the horror, supernatural, and action/adventure genres explode within the first eight pages of the book. From fighting hungry demon babies in an orphanage, to murdering birds in a church for a quick high, there are so many artistic gems to revel over; particularly Allen Passalaqua’s greens when dealing with mystical energy and glowing occult symbols. Norton impresses with his clean and crisp line work, as well as his knack for rendering visually expressive faces that emote seamlessly through the panels.

The latest Occultist series is shaping up to be another hit for Dark Horse Comics, and is proving to be a commendable addition to the superhero genre.

4/5 Skulls

Reviewed by – ShadowJayd

Lonnie Nadler

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Comics

‘Witchblade’ is Getting Resurrected This Summer in New Comic Series from Top Cow and Image Comics

Published

7 days ago

April 18, 2024

Meagan Navarro

Witchblade, the popular comic series that initially ran from 1995 to 2015 and launched a TV series, is getting resurrected in a new comic series from Top Cow and Image Comics. It’s set to unleash heavy metal, black magic and blood this summer.

Look for the new Witchblade series to launch on July 17, 2024.

In Witchblade #1, “New York City Police Detective Sara Pezzini’s life was forever fractured by her father’s murder. Cold, cunning, and hellbent on revenge, Sara now stalks a vicious criminal cabal beneath the city, where an ancient power collides and transforms her into something wild, magnificent, and beyond her darkest imaginings. How will Sara use this ancient power, or will she be consumed by it?”

The series is penned by NYT Best-Selling writer Marguerite Bennett (Animosity, Batwoman, DC Bombshells) and visualized by artist Giuseppe Cafaro (Suicide Squad, Power Rangers, Red Sonja). The creative duo is working with original co-creator Marc Silvestri, who is the CEO of Top Cow Productions Inc. and one of the founders of Image Comics. They are set to reintroduce the series to Witchblade’s enduring fans with “a reimagined origin with contemporary takes on familiar characters and new story arcs that will hook new readers and rekindle the energy and excitement that fueled the 90’s Image Revolution that shaped generations of top creators.”

Bennett said in a statement, “The ability to tell a ferocious story full of monsters, sexuality, vision, and history was irresistible.” She adds, “Our saga is sleek, vicious, ferocious, and has a lot to say about power in the 21st century and will be the first time that we are stopping the roller coaster to let more people on. I’ve loved Witchblade since I was a child, and there is truly no other heroine like Sara with such an iconic legacy and such a rich, brutal relationship to her own body.”

“The Witchblade universe is being modernized to reflect how Marguerite beautifully explores the extreme sides of Sara through memories, her personal thoughts, like desire and hunger, in her solitude and when she is possessed by the Witchblade. So, I had to visually intersect a noir True Detective-like world with a supernatural, horror world that is a fantastic mix between Berserk and Zodiac,” Cafaro stated.

Marc Silvestri notes, “This is brand new mythology around Sara, and I can’t wait for you to fall in love with her and all the twists and turns. Discover Witchblade reimagined this summer, and join us as we bring all the fun of the 90s to the modern age and see how exciting comics can be. I can’t wait for you to read this new series.”

Witchblade#1 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, July 17th, for $4.99 for 48 pages. And it’ll come with multiple cover variants.