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[Comic Review] “Midnighter” #1 – Gay Batman Kicks Ass

Published

9 years ago

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The simplest way to explain “Midnighter” #1 is a gay Batman that kicks some serious ass. The character is a tactical mastermind that can calculate his enemies every move before they’ve even made it. Steve Orlando and Aco’s debut issue is an action-packed debut that never forgets the titular character amidst the backdrop of some pretty impressive action.

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WRITTEN BY: Steve Orlando

ART BY: ACO

PUBLISHER: DC Comics

PRICE: $2.99

RELEASE: June 3rd, 2015

It’s been a very long time since DC Comics have debuted a #1 issue with a voice this strong. Steve Orlando seems born to write Midnighter as the story begins with some cosmic level awesomeness that seems beyond characterization only to settle comfortably on a character piece. Orlando manages to make Midnighter unique and engaging without ever stooping to the level of cliche characterization. He’s created a boldly confident gay superhero who isn’t defined by his orientation but owns it all the same.

Despite the heavy beginning, the issue follows Midnighter on his attempts in the dating circuit. This provides the atypical backdrop for how we learn about his powers. As a superhero living out in the open his date naturally has a whole host of questions. But Mdinighter’s confidence with his date is embodied within every page.

When the action does get rolling, Orlando never stumbles with Midnighter’s voice. Despite the impeccable and razor sharp dialogue, ACO is truly the standout. The unconventional paneling serves the hero’s skill set and creates an extremely unique reading experience that engages unlike any other comic in DC’s lineup.

While a review shouldn’t be qualifying a book’s success on something like the titular character’s orientation – it’s sure to be a draw for some readers here. Midnighter’s interest in men ends up being a focal point for the book. It’s portrayed with a progressive sense of reality and even enjoys the freedoms laid out by having a gay lead. Ultimately it makes the book all the more refreshing and engaging to new audiences because it’s unlike any other superhero book out there. It never feels like a gimmick because it’s a natural part of the story and as it shouldn’t.

The entire issue reads like silk up until the last page. Sadly the book comes to all too abrupt end. It’s too bad that it couldn’t be longer because it feels that just as you begin to enter and understand the world – the book ends. The final page is a strange and tacked on piece of narrative information that should leave you excited to return, but a little confused as to the direction of the next issue.

“Midnighter” is a triumph on every level. It’s a shining beacon of light in DC Comic’s new and exciting creative direction. It proves that superhero comics are capable of hitting multiple beats with complex and engaging leads. Orlando and ACO have crafted a tight series that is unlike any book that came before it, and it demands your attention.

 

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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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2 days 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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