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Review: ‘Abe Sapien’ #11

Published

10 years ago

on

For the past few issues, Abe Sapien’s story seemed to be stalling. Abe was bouncing around to different locations and there was very little intrigue built up. Thankfully, this final installment of the current arc brings a ton of intrigue to the forefront which really brings this book together with “Hellboy in Hell” and “B.P.R.D.: Hell on Earth”. This is definitely a standout issue.

WRITTEN BY: Mike Mignola and Scott Allie
ART BY: Max Fiumara
PUBLISHER: Dark Horse Comics
RELEASE DATE: March 12
Price: 3.50

This series, though titled after the main protagonist Abe Sapien, has had another story with an odd panel here or there, but it never really got the spotlight until now. The resurrected Agent Vaughn and the warlock Gustav Strobl have been on long monotonous journey to the destroyed city of Seattle and have finally reached their destination. This event really explains the background of the warlock and finally begins to bridge this story line to that of the event in “Hellboy in Hell”. I never really understood how this plot line would tie into Abe Sapien but the events of this book really emphasize that there are so many stories being spider-webbed throughout Mignolaverse.

The writing is top notch. Allie seamlessly weaves the two plot lines together, having both panels and dialogue boxes mixed and matched throughout. This jumping between narratives can be complex when done incorrectly, but that is not the case here. The issue allows the story to pick up in its intensity and starts to answer so many questions. Abe’s story has been unfolding predictably from the readers stand point as we are given insight to events that Abe is unaware of, but with the additional tension that derives from the Vaughn and Strobl’s story, it sets this book above its predecessors.

Even though the writing behind this book is incredible, the art is it’s own beast. Every panel is teeming with visuals, down to the smallest details, and filled with creative colouring, whether it’s the desolate Seattle covered in alien substance or the quiet landscape of Payson. I’ve always been impressed by the talents of Max Fiumara and Dave Stewart, and this book is just another testament to their skills as artists.

This story line is really starting to tie into its two companion series. As the year rolls on I can’t wait to see just what Mignola and the gang have in store for Abe Sapien.

4/5 Skull

Reviewed by – GreenBasterd

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Comics

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

Published

11 hours ago

on

April 18, 2024

By

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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