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Monkeybrain Monday Review: “Art Monster” # 1

Published

10 years ago

on

While Monkeybrain comics may not specialize in horror, they do specialize in quality comic books. For those of you looking to expand your palette this is “Monkeybrain Monday” showcasing some of the digital titles this smaller publisher has to offer.

Jeremy Holt is about to become a household name with numerous exciting projects in development. “Art Monster” is one of the few horror books the publisher offers. So naturally it’s the perfect fit for today’s feature. The story follows Victor Stein, a listless art college student who has been lost in his educational institution for seven years. Through a macabre voiceover Victor ponders the question of artistic innovation to ghastly results.


WRITTEN BY: Jeremy Holt
ART BY: Francesa Ciregia
PUBLISHER: Monkeybrain Comics
PRICE: $0.99
GET IT HERE: http://www.monkeybraincomics.com/

Anyone who has been to art school knows the place is filled with weird people. This strange place gathers a society pulled from different houses of inspiration. The effect can be alienating for those who don’t have it all figured out. Which is exactly Victor’s problem. He ponders the line of innovation: the difference between not going far enough and going too far.

This is all brought to life by a grim voiceover that amounts to a very telling analysis of the artistic process. Brought to life by Francesa Ciregia’s dark and bold art. Contrast is this black and white books best friend. The blacks motivate most panels and special attention is paid to shadows. They are often closing in on the subject of a frame and create a claustrophobic look that adds to the vulnerability of the narrative.

Naturally the reason Holt ponders the question of going too far is so he can take Victor into a dark place with a moral high ground. It’s the type of excellent character premise that fueled stories like “Re-Animator.” To push the boundaries, to try something different, to enrich the medium we must break down taboos.

There is an assortment of supporting players who briefly introduce themselves in this debut. Holt takes the little time he has to suggest who they are and how they will ultimately influence Victor.

While the book only ponders this question the real disgusting stuff has yet to come. The hints of the horrific art on the horizon are enough to fuel this exciting read. For anyone who has even been lost as an “artist” or has contemplating how to contribute to the ever-expanding canvas of art history than this book will surely resonate with you. It’s a wonderfully written look into being lost in art brought to life in a dark and brooding style.

Rating: 3.5/5 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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