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Review: “Drumhellar” #6

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10 years ago

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“Drumhellar” #6 is one of those “between arcs” issues. Comprised of equal parts prologue and epilogue, it introduces us to a trippy new case for our intrepid hallucinogenic detective Drum Hellar. This new mystery looks to send him westward across the country to Whitlock, Washington. But before we’re whisked away on this new adventure we’ve got to “get off” of the previous one.

Drumhellar_06-1WRITTEN BY: Riley Rossmo & Alex Link

ART BY: Riley Rossmo

PUBLISHER: Image

PRICE: $3.50

RELEASE: June 18, 2014

Reviewed By: Torbin Chimners

That was a subtle way to inform you that a majority of this issue is an extended psychedelic sex scene (with some light bestiality on the side.) Pretty much every major character from the last arc gets a “release” this issue. This is the most straightforward and cohesive issue of Drumhellar yet. For the first time, I actually had a solid grasp of everything that was happening. This should be a plus, right? Wrong. If you’re looking for a cohesive narrative that goes from point A to point B in a logical, sensible manner you’ve come to the wrong place.

The erratic and aloof style of storytelling established in the first five issues perfectly reflects the state of  Drum’s fragile psyche. It felt like we we’re bumbling through this drug addled fog together, but this issue feels a lot more formulaic and conventional in comparison. There’s still a girl modeling sexy outfits for a possessed dog so this isn’t your grandpapi’s comic, but I found the more scatterbrained approach refreshing and I’d hate to see Drumhellar become conventional.

The hallucinogenic trips here are simply sublime. Riley Rossmo continues to amaze and astound as the visual triple threat of penciler, inker and colourist. I regularly found myself getting lost in the whimsical and mind melting full page spreads which meld time, space, and the human form. This is all offset by the almost Chucky inspired child’s story that bookends the issue quite nicely. Using very subdued blue-grays that feel essentially black and white in comparison to the vivid purples that are one of Drumhellar’s few constants.

Drumhellar’s visuals are at an all-time high. Riley Rossmo’s art can do no wrong and hell, I’d love to see an entire issue consumed by a never ending psychedelic trip. Even with everything I said about this issue feeling a bit more conventional it’s still one of the most creative books on the shelves. Drumhellar oozes originality from every orifice and you’d be a boring fool not to support this stellar book.

Torbin Chimners AKA Torin Chambers is a rad dude from the nineties who does film stuff or something. Thomas the Tank Engine is his favorite transformer. Find him on Twitter@Vulgar_Rhombus 

 

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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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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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