Comics
[Comic Review] “Secret Wars” #2 Builds A Better World
“Secret Wars” #2 builds a stunning new world that defies the previous incarnations of the Marvel Universe in new and fascinating ways. It’s engaging and thought provoking, and perhaps the best introduction to battleworld that readers could have asked for. So far, Jonathan Hickman and Esad Ribic’s mega event series is two for two.
WRITTEN BY: Jonathan Hickman
ART BY: Esad Ribic
PUBLISHER: Marvel Comics
PRICE: $4.99
RELEASE: May 13th, 2015
Right away, we’re introduced to the Thors. This is a new legion of protectors who are charged with carrying out the law in this new Marvel Universe. A new recruit acts as a stand-in for the reader, and it works magnificently in walking us through the rules of battleworld. Many questions remain about the construction of the universe, the apparent creation of many Thors in an instant and just how Victor Von Doom comes to preside over it all.
Yet, somehow the questions are where “Secret Wars” #2 thrives. The world that Hickman is building not only feels dense but incredibly well defined. There is an internal hierarchy with well-known characters playing very new roles in something akin to a Game of Thrones esque power struggle for the throne governing battleworld. Secret Wars seems to be just as concerned about the internal politics governing this new world as it is about the war happening on the ground.
Esad Ribic is built for event comics. His line work is stellar and emotive. There have been criticisms of his facial expressions, but this is something that most will be able to get over. His rich painterly style lends credence to the sweeping feel of the conflict, and there are many moments here where the artist makes an imposing script challenge look like a walk in the part. It’s particularly impressive because he’s able to shift styles as the scene calls. From thoughtful and emotive in the throne room, to haunting and imposing when cast on the other side of the shield.
And well, then there is the final page reveal for those who have been wondering about the events of last issue. It serves as the perfect tease heading into the next issue and sets the stage quite nicely for the story to follow. There is still a ton of heavy lifting to be done with the series before it wraps in September, but somehow it is all gelling with such flawless style that is hard to see it faltering anytime soon. It’s not that Marvel desperately needed a win right now, but this may cement them as the more dominant of the big two publisher because when all is said and done, Secret Wars is something to remember.
This issue proves Secret Wars is an accessible and digestible new status quo even for newcomers.
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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