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Review: ‘Black Science’ #6

Published

10 years ago

on

“Black Science” concludes its first arc with a resounding bang that changes the status quo of the book forever. An epic conflict between Kadir and Grant leaves the team in complete disarray. Inside this anarchy are bold choices that many books aren’t brave enough to make, but Rick Remender makes them look easy.

BlackScience_06-1WRITTEN BY: Rick Remender
ART BY: Matteo Scalera
PUBLISHER: Image
PRICE: $3.50
RELEASE: April 30, 2014

The implications of Remender’s larger world in this first arc have been tremendously far reaching. “Black Science” prides itself off of infinite possibilities that can fold in on themselves countless times, creating dynamically different versions of the same characters in countless numbers of worlds. Yet, in all of these possibilities, I don’t think many will see the end of this issue coming.

It’s important because it takes chances, it gets messy, and it has the opportunity to be undone, but as “Black Science” pushes forward it will be remarkably different and filled with pain. It’s a beautiful thing too, because it adds to the dire circumstances of the adventure even more.

But enough about the end. The book itself is a beautiful and unrelenting battle between assholes too busy to see their similarities. Kadir and Grant will stop at nothing to make the other come around to their viewpoint, but they’re two sides of the same coin. Their fight takes place in this fantastic Monkey-spirit world that sees them interrupting the natural balance of things. Surprise! They make the original inhabitants of the world angry, and now have to deal with that on top of one another.

Matteo Scalera proves that he’s one of the best artists in comics right now with the opening page of this issue. The reflection of Kadir and Grant in the iris of a soul monkey is powerful and thematically provocative. Scalera soaks in this insanity and pushes to make the conflict dynamic and energetic. The two men don’t stop for a second, and we watch as their pushes through glass, into water, and even confront a Monkey Grant. Which is where the art really shines: character design. The immediate recognition that Grant shares with this creature is sold by his facial expression, but sharp-eyed readers may have already pinpointed the monkey’s similarities to Grant. Gah, it’s near perfect and further deepens the world. Non human avatars of ourselves!?

This concludes one of the most action heavy first arcs of a comic I’ve read in recent memory. “Black Science” is so much more than a love letter to science fiction and reads like a love letter to just plain good storytelling. Remender proves he isn’t afraid of taking risks in a world where he’s already known for it, and because of this his work continues to surprise, gutpunch, and entertain. You’d be a fool not to believe in his eververse, and even more foolish not to rush out and buy this issue now. It packs a punch, and serves as a shining example of what good looks like in comics.

 

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Comics

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

Published

5 days ago

on

April 18, 2024

By

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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