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Review: ‘The Walking Dead’ # 120

Published

10 years ago

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“All Out War” has hit peak insanity. Kirkman and Adlard have painted their characters into a corner that won’t be easy to escape from. There is death at every angle. Rick’s camp is falling apart at the seams and Negan’s cocksure attitude is the biggest draw of the month. As Kirkman proves that “The Walking Dead” works best when nothing is going right.


WRITTEN BY: Robert Kirkman
ART BY: Charlie Adlard
PUBLISHER: Image
PRICE: $2.99
RELEASE: January 22, 2014

With the concluding pages of last month issue 120 was bound to be an action packed affair. The back and forth nature of this conflict much less resembles an actual war than the clashing of egos. Rick and Negan are so sure of their own success that they are unable to spot the weaknesses in their plans. The back and forth insanity between them proves to be the books biggest draw and what seems like something that should run out of steam only proves to be more fun with each successive issue.

The pacing of the book is incredible compared to the rest of the series. I fear that the series won’t be able to keep up after this arc concludes, but that is beside the point. For know everything is riveting and packed with conflict. There is never a dull moment as a barrage of grenades devastates Rick’s camp.

Adlard keeps pace with the story and revels in the literally explosive action of the issue. This arc has provided him with some unique opportunities and he manages them with incredible creative. He never really breaks the mold with his paneling and has a very standard approach to his character work, but he shines in death. The moments of loss are made big bombastic displays that won’t soon be forgotten and Rick’s feeble attempt to escape with Andrea in tow makes for one of the best splash panels of the series.

The script really shines with Negan. His moments are both comedic and character fueled. He never feels wore out or tired. His volatile energy never ceases to entertain and gives way to his insane cocksure attitude. As much as Rick may be blind to the world around him Negan has made the choice to completely ignore it. It’s telling because for all their similarities Negan is still a little more naïve than Rick.

So it goes with another chapter of “All Out War.” The narrative has yet to hit a slump but somehow still feels a little drawn out. The book always works better in collected format and I’m sure this arc will be no different. Yet, for what it is worth #120 does feel like a pulse pounding race to the finish line that will begin the final chunk of this monumental arc. I’m not entirely convinced that Kirkman will do anything drastic to break the mold of the book after everything here is concluded, but I’m dying to see a major change. Already these past few issues have felt like a breath of fresh air into a book that was largely spinning its wheels since issue 100. Bring on #121.

Rating: 4/5 Skulls.

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

Published

1 day 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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