Comics
Review: “Undertow” #5
The wild tasks set forth by The Amphibian make for an engaging and action packed issue of “Undertow” that is sure not to disappoint. Don’t be dissuaded by the detour before the final chapter. It’s necessary as Steve Orlando shows the scope of his world, the robust history he has created, the formation of a pivotal moment in Anshargal’s journey.
WRITTEN BY: Steve Orlando
ART BY: Artyom Trakhanov
PUBLISHER: Image Comics
PRICE: $2.99
RELEASE: June 25, 2014
Gone are the rich neon pastels of issues past. Well, not entirely, but for the most part. This issue takes a step to the left and shows us a very foreign part of this world. As our heroes trek up the mountain behind The Amphibian, Artyom Trakhanov dulls the color palette and broadens the scope, making for an incredibly unique issue in this already strange and beautiful series.
It’s almost as if Steve Orlando wanted to show the reader just how far he built this world before saying goodbye to it, and frankly we’re all the better for it. The journey up the mountain offers Anshargal his toughest challenges yet, and sees him overcome them with ease. While Ukinnu is almost left in the dust, he gets to prove himself later in a daunting battle sequence that was unlike anything I had come to expect in this series.
Artyom Trakhanov really gets to enjoy himself here. While he may subdue his wonderful colors he balances everything just right to give a cold foreign feeling to the mountain. Ukinnu’s face is filled with fear on most of the pages, but someone it washes away in the moments of pure confrontation.
This month Trakhanov showcases just how beautifully he can structure insane action, and does so with relative ease. Everything about the middle part of this issue is frantic, fun, and expertly paced. The art settles in small moments of relief amidst an insurmountable task, and the dizzying act of finishing the battle should have been confusing but is communicated with large beautiful panels that use sound effects to carry the action. It’s riveting stuff.
“Undertow” is all about leaving home. Usually that means being faced with certain insanity in the tasks that you’ve assigned yourself. Change can be disorienting, especially in the face of a mentor, but Steve Orlando makes Ukinnu’s journey an incredible amount of fun. The art is sublime, and the characters are relatable in a world where they should be anything but. This is a book that doesn’t hold your hand, but it doesn’t slap it away either. If you let yourself go along for the ride you’ll be enthralled with a tale of disillusionment, rebellion, and growth.
Despite the heavy themes at play, reading this book is a delight rather than a chore. The expansive world feels like it’s about to burst with content, and the conflict is tense and resonates with every page. I can’t say I’m too happy about only having one more issue to review, but it’s been a hell of a ride.
See you in thirty for the final journey. And if you want a tasty treat of that last issue head here.
Comics
‘Witchblade’ is Getting Resurrected This Summer in New Comic Series from Top Cow and Image Comics
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.
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Cover A: Marc Silvestri and Arif Prianto (Full Color)
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Cover B: Giuseppe Cafaro and Arif Prianto (Full Color)
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Cover C: Blank Sketch Cover
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Cover D (1/10): Dani and Brad Simpson (Full Color)
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Cover E (1/25): Marc Silvestri and Arif Prianto, Virgin Cover (Full Color)
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Cover F (1/50): J.Scott Campbell (Full Color)
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Cover G (1/100): Bill Sienkiewicz. (Full Color)
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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.
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