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Review: “The Empty Man” #1

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10 years ago

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A fast-paced thriller, “The Empty Man” #1 leaves you with an unsettling presence in your mind after you’ve finished reading. This is a twisted police procedural that puts society’s fears under a microscope. I really want to see where “The Empty Man” series goes after its shocking plot twist.

Empty_Man_001_PRESS-9WRITTEN BY: Cullen Bunn

ART BY: Vanesa R. Del Rey

PUBLISHER: Boom! Studios

PRICE: $3.99

RELEASE: June 11, 2013

Reviewed by Jorge Solis

A message of hope and belief becomes a sneaky brainwashing scheme by a swindling cult leader. Reverend Markoff promises to heal you, the sinner, if you join his special congregation. His sermons have lead to mass suicides and a rising number of serial killings. Though it would be easier just to incarcerate Markoff, somehow “The Empty Man” disease has been spreading on its own. Two special agents, Jensen and Langford, are about to discover a shocking clue that may change everything about their case.   

Interestingly, writer Cullen Bunn takes an in-depth look at how society becomes brainwashed by cult leaders. I had to read the opening pages twice because Bunn examines the media’s fascination with cults in different perspectives. These cult leaders are preying on the emotionally wrecked and weak-minded. Those fanatical types don’t really care about the members of their congregation; they’re just using them. But for someone who has just lost hope, they’ll do anything to get it back somehow.      

Right off the bat, Bunn delivers some witty banter between special agents Langford and Jensen. Their relationship isn’t really romantic, but their bond does go beyond a  loyal sense of duty. I really like how Bunn steers their conversation from being personal to being about work all of a sudden. What I also enjoyed is that these protagonists are two smart cops, who are definitely good at their jobs.

Artist Vanesa R. Del Rey captures a moody atmosphere that usually comes with gritty police procedurals. Agent Langford has this Clark Gable look to him, especially with his mustache and slick hairstyle. Agent Jensen’s character design also harkens back to an actress from a different time period. Because of her combed-back hairstyle and classy wardrobe, Jensen resembles closely to Dorothy Dandridge’s early film work.  

Del Rey places the camera in interesting spots during interrogation scenes. The shots are always taken from a high angle, as if looking down on everyone. Del Rey also makes sure the space is wide enough to fit in both agents. Like in every police drama, there is a mandatory chase sequence, but this one comes with a few surprises.  

An awesome introductory issue, “The Empty Man” #1 has a lot of potential going for it with the story’s mix of cults, serial killers, and police procedural.  I really want to see what happens the second issue.

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

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10 hours ago

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April 17, 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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