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Review: “C.O.W.L.” # 3

Published

10 years ago

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In “C.O.W.L” # 3 we continue to watch the organizational power of the league unravel as it struggles with bureaucratic drama. There’s a reason why so much of the series’ hype is riddled with AMC’s Mad Men references. Luckily for me, it’s one of my favourite shows.

cowl_03

WRITTEN BY: Kyle Higgins

ART BY: Alec Siegel

PUBLISHER: Image Comics

PRICE: $2.99

RELEASE: July 23, 2014

Reviewed by Nick Brehmer

As the cover and initial pages suggest, a main focus of Issue #3 is on Kathryn Mitchell, A.K.A Radia. Given the time period, it seems appropriate that even she struggles with gender expectations despite her status as a celebrity superhero. Tensions are still high with Grant Marlowe recovering in the hospital after the brawl with Camden Stone’s grunt in last issue. With that, Radia’s surprise and acceptance at Karl Samoski (Eclipse)’s unorthodox offer is justifiable and the readers become witness to just how powerful she is.

The relevancy of C.O.W.L as a crime-fighting force for Chicago is also returned to here in the third issue. Geoffrey Warner (Grey Raven, C.O.W.L chief) threatens the city with a strike if the league’s contractual demands aren’t met. C.O.W.L detective John Pierce continues to search for answers regarding the confidential weapon plans that were found in Skylancer’s lair.

We learn a little more in this issue concerning the protocol for super-powered individuals in the “C.O.W.L” universe. The fact that crime boss Camden Stone employed a “powered” individual gives strength to the argument against the league’s legitimacy. Unfortunately, it’s Geoffrey Warner who see’s this fact and warns that should the league be reduced, more and more powered citizens will turn to a life of crime.

All in all, this issue does a fine job at setting up anticipation for those to follow. The artwork continues to impress with its sketchbook-styled lines and faded backgrounds. It’s not as action-packed as the previous issues, but as any Mad Men fan would tell you, episodes where less happened often prove to be the most interesting. “C.O.W.L” is setting out to be highly character driven and I can imagine some readers being hesitant to invest in such a drawn out delivery method. I quite enjoy it.

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

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17 hours 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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