Comics

Review: ‘Serenity: Leaves On the Wind’ #1

Published

10 years ago

January 30, 2014

If you’re a fan of Joss Whedon’s work, then reading this comic is a no-brainer. If not, then you are seriously missing out on quality storytelling. From television to comic books to film, Whedon and his kin are pretty savvy when it comes to entertaining. “Serenity: Leaves On the Wind” #1 is a picture-perfect a start to the latest adventures of Malcolm Reynolds and his space-cowboys (and girls) crew aiming to misbehave.

WRITTEN BY: Zack Whedon
ART BY: Georges Jeanty
PUBLISHER: Dark Horse Comics
PRICE: $3.50
RELEASE: January 29, 2014

I’ve come to realize that there are different variations of fans when it comes to all things Whedon. Some are blind faith followers of everything he and his creative collaborators have done and ever will do. Others are a little more picky. Then, I believe, there are those whom end up being at that perfect point in their lives when one of these Whedon creations grabs you tight and does not let go. I liked Buffy, really liked Angel, but missed out on the first run of Firefly (like most people). Better late than never, I always say! I’m a big fan and it’s great to see Serenity: Leaves On The Wind #1 picks up after the events of the film Serenity. We see how these fictional characters that seem so very alive to fans are coping with life after the planet Miranda.

The ‘verse is searching for the crew of Serenity. There’s a bounty on the heads of this bunch, so into hiding they go. Writer Zack Whedon has made this first issue feel and sound just like the rest of the beloved series does from the TV series and film. The set-ups feel just like they should for a new chapter: jumping from scene to scene, whetting the appetites of what will unfurl down the road. I’m fascinated to see where different people across the Alliance worlds are reacting to the big events of what happened previously. As big a game-changer as Mal and his crew were hoping for, it seems change moves slowly in the future.

Artist Georges Jeanty has a lot of experience when it comes to the Whedon-verses. His run on Buffy helped give those tales some great cohesion and creativity. His streak at artistic virtuosity continues here. From the barren darkness of space to the grimier holes to the homey feel of the ship Serenity itself, Jeanty has mastered them all.

This team has things running so smoothly that words aren’t needed to see the progressions that some of our favorite characters have taken. I was feeling all the great ups and downs that I did when I watched the episodes way back when. This family Mal has made means everything to him, even if he won’t or can’t say so. When kin need helping, there’s nothing in this ‘verse that’s going to stop him. And that is what makes this creation from the Whedons, in my humble opinion, one of their best. Danger be damned! Heart is what makes that ship fly even when it shouldn’t. These creators have captured it here. Let’s see where they take it next, shall we?

4.5/5 Skulls

Reviewed by – Your Friendly Neighborhood Brady

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.