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Review: ‘Black Science’ # 2

Published

10 years ago

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Rick Remender and Matteo Scalera’s second chapter of ‘Black Science’ is still ripe with tension despite being a lot slower than the first issue. The stunning visuals are a little more subdued, the nature of dimension hopping is discussed, and the dynamic of the team is revealed. It’s an excellent second chapter of the series that sees the characters take the forefront while still maintaining an excellent sense of danger.


WRITTEN BY: Rick Remender
ART BY: Matteo Scalera
PUBLISHER: Image
PRICE: $2.99
RELEASE: December 18, 2013

Now that Grant has successfully escaped into a new dimension, its time for his team to further question his motives. A German speaking solider quickly overruns them, and Grant is further wounded. The team falls into disarray about what to do next, and we learn everyone’s contributions to the dynamic and their larger motivations for joining the mission.

This new dimension is just as interesting as the first; with technological and alien like Indians battling Germans for supremacy almost anything could happen. The team is fractured without Grant and in need of a true leader. Tension bleeds off of every page, and nothing quite feels right as the narrative pushes on.

Matteo Scalera takes time to revel in the small moments here. The opening panels that depict a relaxed Grant rolling a joint are incredible. The detail in the roll, and the flame speaks to Scalera’s talent as an artist. Meanwhile his depiction of the new threats is ripe with subtle details. The armor of the Indians is a mixture of traditional and technological. This makes for a formidable opponent that we learn almost nothing about.

The sense of danger is further intensified with this chapter because no one really knows what they’re doing. Threats are being established both inside and outside the team, so any major catastrophe could undo everything. Grant’s team is lost without him, but he never seemed concerned with leading them in the first place. It’s a phenomenally interesting dynamic because often in this type of story we’re treated to a team of dedicated scientists making this sort of breakthrough.

Further defying the mold, Remender shows a haphazard group who each seem to be there for their own selfish reasons. Grant was the one thing that ties them all together and in his absence the cracks begin to spread. I highly doubt that the final panel of the issue will have any long-standing effect on the narrative but if it does I’ll be sincerely in shock.

Remender does a great deal for his protagonist by removing him from the picture. You learn how he affects each and everyone in the team, and proves that less is more when it comes to character.

“Black Science” is still wildly unpredictable and an absolute joy to read. The extra character beats this month solidify the world before the discovery and create an even more interesting interpersonal threat outside of the insane dimension our heroes have found themselves in. Making for another homerun issue that I cannot recommend enough.

Rating: 4.5/5 Skulls.

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

Published

5 days ago

on

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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