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Review: “Clive Barker’s Next Testament” #11

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An action-packed installment, “Next Testament” #11  lets loose its dark imagination and never holds back. This is an adrenaline shot to the system. With its mix of shocking scares and twisted black humor, the “Next Testament” series never disappoints.

NextTestament_11_COVER

 

WRITTEN BY: Clive Barker and Mark Miller

ART BY: Haemi Jang

PUBLISHER: Boom! Studios

PRICE: $3.99

RELEASE: July 16, 2013

Reviewed By: Jorge Solis

The final battle between good and evil takes place inside the Roman Colosseum, where gladiators once fought to the death. While the all-powerful Wick changes the world to fit his image, Tristan and fiancée, Elspeth, have finally reached their destination in Providence. After searching through an endless library, the lovebirds find the right  text and speak the cursed words to awaken the Devil and the Holy Ghost. Is the Devil fighting to save humanity enough to stop Wick?

You can tell Clive Barker and co-writer, Mark Miller, are having a lot of fun in this penultimate issue. This is their chance to throw away logic and character development, and just let the action speak for itself. When hearing Barker’s commentary about the making of his movies, “Hellraiser” and “Lord of Illusions,” there is always talk about constraints with the budget. But not this time, because there no limitations to what you can do in the comic book realm. This is what two creative writers can do when they let their imagination run wild.

This story is about the Devil, the good guy, trying to save the day from the bad guy, Wick. The dialogue is sparse but that’s why each line is so memorable. Tristan and Elspeth aren’t in the forefront, but that’s a good thing. This is really 22 pages of thrilling nonstop action and you just want more.   

Artist Haemi Jang  depicts Wick, the Devil and the Holy Ghost as three giants in a no-holds-barred boxing match. The three behemoths start their battle in the middle of the Roman Colosseum. Jang illustrates the massive destruction as each supreme being uses their powers against each other. In the climatic pages, Jang antes up the action by taking the fight to outer-space.

Because there is very little dialogue, Jang focuses more physical poses and character design with the Devil’s horns and two sharp fangs in his mouth does volumes for tension. A lot of attention is put into their facial expressions after each giant gets hit in the face. The last page is definitely a jaw-dropping shocker. 

If you love action, you’re going to love “Next Testament” #11. I cannot wait for the exciting conclusion.

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‘The Wicked Trinity’ – Preview New Archie Comics One-Shot Inspired by ‘The Craft’ [Exclusive]

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From Sabrina’s Magical World, Bloody Disgusting has learned this afternoon that Archie Comics will be releasing brand new one-shot comic The Wicked Trinity this coming June.

You’ll be able to meet The Wicked Trinity in the 32-page comic on June 12, 2024.

In The Wicked Trinity, “Sabrina’s magical nemesis Amber Nightstone and her sidekicks, Jade Kazane and Sapphire Gill, are intent on becoming the most powerful witches in the world. Isolated from so many around them, the three have formed a coven based on their individual needs for vengeance and true freedom.

“But when there is some dissent among the ranks, their small coven is threatened to be obliterated from within.”

The Wicked Trinity features a script by Sam Maggs, art by Lisa Sterle, colors by Ellie Wright, letters by Jack Morelli, main cover by Lisa Sterle, and variant cover by Soo Lee.

Archie Comics Senior Director of Editorial Jamie L. Rotante tells Bloody Disgusting, “When Editor-In-Chief Mike Pellerito came up with the idea of the Wicked Trinity—Amber Nightstone, Jade Kazane, and Sapphire Gill—I was immediately intrigued. I even had the good fortune to work on the script for Jade and Sapphire’s first appearance in last year’s SABRINA ANNUAL SPECTACULAR comic for younger readers. What I especially loved about these magical teens is that they could seamlessly transcend from classic-Archie stories into more mature, even horror stories. I was eager to start developing their world with a modern sensibility, taking cues from the great work of Kelly Thompson and Veronica Fish on our SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH series, and Sarah Kuhn and Carola Borelli on our recent DARKLING one-shot. Inspired by series like Charmed and films like The Craft, I knew there was so much potential to build up this coven in a story that beautifully blends magical fantasy with horror.”

Writer Sam Maggs previews, “Real witches writing real witches—that’s how we do things over at Archie Comics! I was named after a famous witch—Samantha from Bewitched—and so I grew up absolutely obsessed with everything witchcraft, devouring every book series I could about teen witches. That makes WICKED TRINITY a dream project for me. The power and energy of teen girls is absolutely unmatched (just look at the engine behind fandom culture) and being able to harness that metaphorically for a story like this is such a delight. Everything I write focuses on the power of female friendship, and this story is no exception. And what’s better than a morally grey female character? I struggle to think of anything. Cat familiars, maybe? Also, I’m totally a practicing witch now. So maybe if you read this, you’ll find yourself imbued with magical powers, too.*

Artist Lisa Sterle adds, “I can’t wait for people to be re-introduced to The Wicked Trinity! Witches, fashion, and Archie Comics; this is truly a magical trifecta and I’m so happy to have the opportunity to put my own personal stamp on this. I love to create stories in which girls find their own power, both from within themselves and through their friendships and coven. If you’re a fan of my Modern Witch tarot, you’ll find this comic just as magical.”

Exclusively check out the two covers for The Wicked Trinity one-shot comic below!

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