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Review: ‘Abe Sapien’ #9

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After having an incredible 2013 I’m not surprised that the 2014 debut of “Abe Sapien” continues the trend of greatness. The creative team is bringing together a unique story line in a diverse and vast universe that is accented by eye-gasmic art. Though this is only the first installment of a 3 part arc I’m already stoked.

WRITTEN BY: Mike Mignola and Scott Allie
ART BY: Max Fiumara
PUBLISHER: Dark Horse Comics
RELEASE DATE: January 8
PRICE: 3.50

Abe Sapien underwent some sort of mutation during his time spent recovering from a gunshot wound, he then proceeded to run immediately from the BPRD and has found himself in several dire situations since then. Abe now finds himself at a crime scene that stinks of more than blood and gasoline. As he begins to help the small town police, another plot crops up that could have dire consequences for everyone involved. On the flip side there is some serious discussion about Hell, that obviously involves the beloved Hellboy.

2013 was massive year for Mike Mignola and his creative partners as they’ve been able to weave several amazing stories that are intertwined, but after this issue my expectations are at new heights. Every issue that Mignola and Scott Allie have pumped out has been better than the last, this book is no exception as the story is infused with intriguing plot advancements and tie-ins.

Fiumara and Dave Stewart continue to blow my mind. I think both Max and Sebastián deserve a little praise here at BD for the outstanding work they’ve been doing for the Mignolaverse. From the cover to the closing panel the raw sketchiness of the art infused with a realistic gritty look keeps my face glued to the pages.

If the Hellboy family books keep coming like this, my Best of 2014 list will lose vacancies quickly. “Abe Sapien” is an outstanding book that sets the tone for the coming year at Dark Horse.

4.5/5 Skulls

Reviewed by – GreenBasterd

Comics

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

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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 (AnimosityBatwomanDC Bombshells) and visualized by artist Giuseppe Cafaro (Suicide SquadPower RangersRed 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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