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Review: “Five Ghosts” # 12

Published

10 years ago

on

“Five Ghosts” #12 provides an incredible finale to the stupendous Lost Coastlines arc. Fabian is tested in every measure and Frank J Barbiere reminds us of the hero’s ultimate quest with a fantastic turn that’s bound to bring the series in a new direction.

This is pure comics perfection.

8286WRITTEN BY: Frank J Barbiere
ART BY: Chris Mooneyham
PUBLISHER: Image
PRICE: $2.99
RELEASE: June 04, 2014

I’m always stunned with how tightly crafted this series feels. Barbiere wastes no time getting into his finale and does so with bloodshed, history, and an immense challenge for his hero. There is a ton happening on these pages but none of it ever feels forced or out of place, rather everything has bled into this moment organically.

Fabian is challenged by his past, and forced to confront his demons. It’s a beautiful way to bring the whole arc full circle and provides one hell of a battle for Chris Mooneyham to sink his teeth into. Everything moves quickly but the focus is purely on Fabian. His ghosts take a seat out to watch the fight and Mooneyham quickly takes hold. Fabian is raw and determined in this confrontation, but it doesn’t prove enough.

The result is a huge finish to a conflict that’s been bubbling for a long time. The script pushes Fabian to the edge, and forces him into a corner. Luckily he lashes out wildly and the resulting pages are a flurry of awesome death. Amongst all the magic and wonder the book still finds time to inject horror into Fabian’s world. The power he must draw from is dark and draining, and only time will tell how this will permanently affect the hero.

For now it seems for the better. The ultimate choice made within these closing pages comes to define a new era for the book with a glimmer of hope. I’m still not convinced Fabian’s a good dude, but he’s making efforts to become something better. The ultimate question is whether or not he’s capable of it. Something I hope to see more of in the forthcoming arc.

The team on “Five Ghosts” have created a beautiful and polished love letter to pulp storytelling that can stand among giants. It’s terribly entertaining. The magical color work of Lauren Affe will take you to another world and dare you to leave. The visceral art of Chris Mooneyham will sink it’s claws into you and defy everything you know about paneling. While Frank J Barbiere’s script will push you through 24 pages faster than previously thought possible.

Lost Coastlines was decidedly different than what came before, and the risk paid off. “Five Ghosts” is still an insanely good time with relentlessly paced storytelling that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I’m sad to see it go for a couple months, but already can’t wait for it to return.

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

Published

5 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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