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Review: The 7th Sword #1

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Ever wonder what the world of Mad Max would look like if it was a little more civilized? Maybe decades after the movies, some semblance of order was somewhat restored? That is what The 7th Sword #1 feels like. This time, it’s with swords, robotic sand people, cloned goblins, cyber femme fatales, and a samurai. Let’s find out if all that makes it cooler or not.

 

0108-7thsword01_cvrAWRITTEN BY: John Rafffo

ART BY: Nelson Blake II

PUBLISHER: IDW Publishing

PRICE: $3.99

RELEASE: 23 April 2014

Writer John Rafffo is undertaking the arduous task of world building. There are ideas and concepts and names scattered throughout this issue. Our story begins on an alien planet but it feels like a desert on Earth. Daniel Cray is a samurai for hire. It feels like Raffo is spreading seeds out for a garden of ideas to grow in the future. Some are clever twists and some are transparent. I’m calling it first – Samurai Cray and the blonde daughter are totally hooking up. And I hope those goblin, acid-spitting clones come back in the near future. It’s nice to see a creative notion for a bad guy’s troops.

The art by Nelson Blake II is serviceable in this debut chapter. I recently read an article about The Newsroom’s Aaron Sorkin wishing he could go back and re-do each episode. I feel this type of story could really benefit from another first issue and an art style that is more dynamic and unique. The designs of this world are nice but the standard comic book art doesn’t help it stand out at all.

Overall, this issue feels like a soft open. Which is better for restaurants openings than it is for comic book titles. I’m willing to let the creative team work out the kinks for another issue. I’m curious to see where this story will go so kudos to the writer. I hope the art will expand and give readers something new that hasn’t been portrayed again and again.

Reviewed by: Your Friendly Neighborhood Brady

Comics

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

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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 (AnimosityBatwomanDC Bombshells) and visualized by artist Giuseppe Cafaro (Suicide SquadPower RangersRed 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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