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Review: “Spread” #1

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10 years ago

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The cinematic influences behind Justin Jordan, Kyle Strahm, and Felipe Sobreira’s new series “Spread” are numerous. In the author’s “patented end of issue ramblings,” the Mad Max film series are unapologetically paid homage to. And rightly so. While reading Issue #1, I also picked up on (obvious) references to John Carpenter’s 1982 sci-fi classic The Thing, especially given the icy setting, but also Ron Howard’s 1988 fantasy epic Willow. Both made me very happy.

Spread_01-1

WRITTEN BY: Justin Jordan

ART BY: Kyle Strahm

PUBLISHER: Image Comics

PRICE: $3.50

RELEASE: July 9, 2014

Reviewed by Nick Brehmer

The Spread is a terrible, ravenous, infectious mass with stylistic renderings similar to that of the demonic force from Hayao Miyazaki’s Princess Mononoke. It eats its way through people and animals that don’t run fast enough, and even those with an immunity, like our mysterious protagonist No, may still suffer being ripped to shreds.

The story is propelled by the narration of the (presumably) now older Hope, a baby (at the time of Issue #1) with an incredible gift. She is rescued by No in the inaugural issue from a band of post-Spread-apocalyptic raiders. The hero quickly realizes her importance, but he isn’t the only one with a vested interest in the infant.

The writing flows like pieces of nightmarish memory slowly being put back together. Little is revealed in Issue #1 about the nature of the Spread or how much damage has actually been done to civilization. And, like Issue #1, I’m not inclined to reveal much in this review. I suspect that you’ll be as intrigued as I am during your own read-through.

I found the aforementioned back matter “ramblings” to be very insightful to the creators’ process. Jordan writes “I’ve never been as interested in, say, the first days of a zombie apocalypse as I have in what the world would look like ten or twenty years after.” I share this sentiment. The world of “Spread” has been plagued for some time and the danger is significant. However, given the events of Issue #1, there may be hope (*ahem*) left for humanity.

The colouring of this series is going to be a major draw to some. The coldness of the human world, dominated by blues, greys, and most prominently, white, is cut by the heat of the bright red Spread. It makes for an (at one point literally) eye-popping experience.

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

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1 day 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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