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Review: ‘The Memory Collectors’ # 1 (of 3)

Published

11 years ago

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Menton3’s ‘The Memory Collectors’ is a stunning debut that defies the nature of conventional comic books. Instead it opts to tell a story with a blend of prose and beautiful painted panels. The book is chock full of original concepts explained with casual confidence that results in a deeply engaging origin story unlike any other.


WRITTEN BY: Menton3
ART BY: Menton3
PUBLISHER: IDW
PRICE: $3.99
RELEASE: October 9, 2013

Beatrice, Edith, and Magdelena live in an enlightened world. They are aware of the horrors that walk among us and defend the world from them. The rest of us are merely cattle, lead to believe we are free under the guise of society.

Edith walks us through the enlightened world. She teaches us how to see things for what they really are. She spots what looks to be a man, but explains he is a beast. Menton3’s fantastic use of voiceover narration builds his world within the first few pages. Immediately we’re treated to a humorous exchange between Edith and her attacker on the history of high heels.

The art is simply stunning. The feeling of dread is unparalleled as Edith stands before her attacker. There is wispy sense to the creature as his blackness dissipates over him. The confrontation itself is depicted in stark white contrast. It allows the action to take center stage and truly stand out for the rest of the page. It’s remarkably effective and deceptively simple.

The final pages of the confrontation are stunning. The beautiful work by Menton3 on full display by the end. Edith vanquishes the creature in grand fashion and the book allows us to revel in the moment.

After the initial conflict we take a step back to develop the characters. Here Menton3 treats us to a prose explanation of how Edith came to be the woman we just saw. It’s incredible because it allows for a great deal more explanation that the typical book. It does slow down the pacing, but at the same time the rest of the pages are wonderfully light on dialogue and explanation. The art is allowed to speak for itself.

By the end of the book we have a unique perspective. Menton3 makes sure you understand everything within this world. With just enough explanation of our character’s pasts, combined with enlightenment about the nature of memory collectors, everything about the overarching conflict of the book is put into place.

The result is a fantastically paced story that broods in darkness. “The Memory Collectors” has a certain self-awareness. It allows our imaginations to take hold. You’ll envision these women vanquishing horrors every time you gaze into a dark alley. It helps that Menton3 solidifies this by allowing his characters to hunt at comic conventions. It’s the type of genius move that will put every cosplay into question this weekend at NYCC.

This debut issue shouldn’t be missed. It’s a deadly concoction of engaging characters in an enlightened and dangerous world. The entire thing is brought to life by breathtaking art. “The Memory Collectors” will get under your skin, into your brain, and have you looking over your shoulder.

Rating 4.5/5 Skulls.

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Comics

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

Published

2 days ago

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April 18, 2024

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Witchblade cover

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.

  • Cover A: Marc Silvestri and Arif Prianto (Full Color)

  • Cover B: Giuseppe Cafaro and Arif Prianto (Full Color)

  • Cover C: Blank Sketch Cover

  • Cover D (1/10): Dani and Brad Simpson (Full Color)

  • Cover E (1/25): Marc Silvestri and Arif Prianto, Virgin Cover (Full Color)

  • Cover F (1/50): J.Scott Campbell (Full Color)

  • Cover G (1/100): Bill Sienkiewicz. (Full Color)

  • Cover H (1/250): Line art by Marc. Virgin Cover, Inks (B/W)

Witchblade #1 will also be available across many digital platforms, including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play.

Witchblade comic panel Witchblade #1 cover image

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