Comics
Review: ‘American Vampire: Second Cycle’ #1
After a long hiatus, “American Vampire: Second Cycle” #1 returns stronger and bloodier than ever. The artwork bristles with raw energy and the sharp writing hits its mark every time. This installment of “Second Cycle” is a great recap for newcomers and serves as a fantastic reminder why “American Vampire” is easily one of the best horror comics out there.
WRITTEN B: Scott Snyder
ART BY: Rafael Albuquerque
PUBLISHER: Vertigo Comics
PRICE: $3.99
RELEASE: March 19, 2014
The times keep changing for Skinner Sweet and Pearl Jones, especially now that they are in the ‘60s. Though they are connected by blood, Pearl and Skinner have bitterly parted ways, hoping to never see each other again. Skinner belongs to the open road as a terror bandit but Pearl struggles to find herself a new life. She has just lost Henry and prefers to keep to herself. But, something ancient and more terrifying than Skinner is hunting after these two vampires. The Gray Trader is coming and there is nothing they can do to stop him.
Writer Scott Snyder splits the narrative into two short stories. We get a chance to see what has happened to Pearl and Skinner since their last confrontation. Because these vampires can survive the sunlight, they are able move to forward with the times. Skinner is more violent now that technology and transportation has modernized itself. In his introduction, we see Skinner riding in his motorcycle and holding an Uzi in his hand.
What’s interesting with Snyder’s writing is how he is able to present Pearl as a fighter and be motherly at the same time. In the opening pages, Pearl comes to the rescue of a screaming little girl. At first, you think Pearl is pointing her gun at a group of perverts. But then, Snyder twists the suspenseful shootout and surprises the readers with a shocking revelation.
Readers will not be able to look away from Rafael Albuquerque’s gritty and vibrant artwork. My favorite of his illustrations is the splash page of Pearl’s introduction. Albuquerque puts in tons of detail to the worn-out and tattered clothing Pearl is wearing. It’s the perfect pose of a gunfighter as Pearl holds the shotgun steady with one hand.
Albuquerque has done something new and different to the character design to Skinner. When the “American Vampire” series first started, I always thought Skinner was a slimmer and tall version of rockstar Kurt Cobain. Now, Albuquerque illustrates the muscles in Skinner’s arms and chest, especially since he is only wearing a sleeveless and unbuttoned jacket. Skinner has also let his hair grow long and the new digs suit him well.
An excellent read, “American Vampire: Second Cycle” #1 delivers tons of bloody thrills that horror fans have been craving for. I am very happy “American Vampire” is back and cannot wait for the next issue to get here.
4.5/5 Skulls
Review by Jorge Solis
Comics
‘Witchblade’ is Getting Resurrected This Summer in New Comic Series from Top Cow and Image Comics
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.
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Cover A: Marc Silvestri and Arif Prianto (Full Color)
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Cover B: Giuseppe Cafaro and Arif Prianto (Full Color)
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Cover C: Blank Sketch Cover
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Cover D (1/10): Dani and Brad Simpson (Full Color)
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Cover E (1/25): Marc Silvestri and Arif Prianto, Virgin Cover (Full Color)
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Cover F (1/50): J.Scott Campbell (Full Color)
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Cover G (1/100): Bill Sienkiewicz. (Full Color)
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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.
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