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Review: ”The Twilight Zone’ #4

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10 years ago

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Recreating the magic of the past, “The Twilight Zone” #4 is a twisted mind-puzzler that steers towards a satisfying conclusion. Based on the classic TV series by Rod Serling, “The Twilight Zone” closes its first story arc with a bang. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a newbie, don’t miss the next stop to another dimension.

WRITTEN BY: J. Michael Straczynski
ART BY: Guiu Vilanova
PUBLISHER: Dynamite Entertainment
PRICE: $3.99
RELEASE: April 9, 2013

In order to avoid prison time, Trevor Richmond traded his old life and left everyone else to deal with his problems. With a different name and face, Trevor walks around unpunished from his heinous crimes. Trevor suddenly sees himself testifying in court, making things right in a way he never could. John is making a better man out of Trevor and becoming the husband that Trevor’s wife always wanted. On the verge of losing his mind, Trevor cannot bear seeing someone else having his name and face.

Writer J. Michael Straczynski delivers an intense psychological thriller about self-identity and second chances. Straczynski emphasizes the tragic back-story on Trevor’s doppelganger, John. Given a short time to live, John shakes the Devil’s hand and signs a Faustian deal. John chooses to make life worth living, finding real love that was missing in his previous life. We’re rooting for John even though he is a thief and manipulator. Trevor continues to squander his second chance and wants back what he selfishly gave away.

What’s really interesting about Straczynski’s narrative is how he plays around with the concept of the anthology. As a storyteller, Straczynski leaves loose threads to pick up on in further installments. The secondary characters are connected somehow, as if Straczynski has a bigger story for them in mind. Straczynski does something creative here that definitely works in the comic book medium, which the TV remakes lost a great opportunity on.

Artist Guiu Vilanova reinforces the themes of second chances during the doppelganger’s flashback. Vilanova portrays John as a such a bum loser with his messy hairstyle and sleeveless shirt. But when John is living Trevor’s life, you see a dramatic change in his posture and clothing. Though he is still dying, John has something to look forward to. You can tell John is still there as he wears Trevor’s face because of Vilanova’s close-up on the eyes.

Vilanova delivers a suspenseful confrontation between Trevor and John. Though the scene is dialogue heavy, Vilanova heightens the facial expressions between the two. Fueled by selfish desires, Trevor has accepted his bloodlust as he aims the gun at John’s head. Vilanova captures the climax through tight close-ups, focusing on the emotional intensity.

“The Twilight Zone” #4 closes its first chapter on a satisfying note. With the shocking cliff-hanger, I can’t wait to see what happens in the next story arc.

4/5 Skulls

Reviewed by – Jorge Solis

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Comics

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

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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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