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Review: “Zero” # 9

Published

10 years ago

on

I was terrified to write this review.

Flipping through issues #1-9 of “Zero”, I could feel the personal connection behind the story that Ales Kot is weaving. With that said, there are depths here that I cannot possibly understand. But it’s the themes that most of us, if not all of us, can relate to that’ll pull the readers into the world of “Zero”, primarily rebellion and loss

zero_09

WRITTEN BY: Ales Kot

ART BY: Tonci Zonjic

PUBLISHER: Image Comics

PRICE: $2.99

RELEASE: July 23, 2014

Reviewed by Nick Brehmer

For those who are just learning about this series, “Zero” tells the story of continued global conflict in the uncomfortably near future. Technology has evolved to such a level where human limitations are being erased and the perceived laws of physics are being broken. Edward Zero is an assassin working within an internationally powerful spy cell known as The Agency. He has been conditioned to be an elite strategist and killer. No attachments. No history. No emotion. Existence is a perpetual state of war – especially his own.

So much has happened. So much has changed. So much is unknown. Issue #9 focuses on the backstory of Edward’s “handler”, Roman Zizek, the man who trained Zero from childhood. In 1993, during the height of the Bosnian War, Zizek is playing both sides as an arms dealer. His lover, Marina is pregnant and the tension of the weaponry negotiations is cut by moments of tenderness between the two characters. In the world of “Zero”, such things aren’t meant to last.

Again, for those who haven’t been following the series, each issue features a different artist. In his interview with CBR News last summer, Kot explained that, “the artists inspire me to weave the stories in ways that complement their work. This can mean there are ripples being created — and these ripples then influence the larger whole. I embrace the possibility of modification.” The change in each issue reflects the various perspectives and transforming atmosphere of the progressing narrative. The artwork for Issue #9 is by Tonci Zonjic and is marked by a minimal colour palate and heavy use of shadow. There’s a five-paneled, double-page spread around the middle of the issue that shows Kot devotion to character and the significance he places on personal histories.

I caught my breaths being drawn out and my eyes widening multiple times. It’s an intense read.

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Comics

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

Published

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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