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[Comic Book Review] “Nailbiter” #6 Is A Much Deserved Breather

Published

10 years ago

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“Nailbiter” #6 slows down, shifting its focus to Alice and to a lesser extent Sheriff Crane. If you were looking for a continuation of last month’s huge developments then you’ll be let down, but only slightly. This is Williamson we’re talking about here, so the quality is still through the roof. It feels very much like a one off, not introducing anything we didn’t already have an idea of. Instead it gives Nailbiter a much deserved breather after that roller coaster of a first arc.

STK652820

WRITTEN BY: Joshua Williamson

ART BY: Mike Henderson

PUBLISHER: Image Comics

PRICE: $2.99

RELEASE: October 1, 2014

Reviewed By: Torin Chambers

Alice is the star of the show this month, becoming our narrator and the lens with which we see Buckaroo Oregon. She briefly summarizes the events of Nailbiter so far, making this an ok jumping on point for new readers. I say ‘ok’ because there’s nowhere you should start Nailbiter other than the beginning, but moving on.

Next we’re introduced to the central conflict of issue #6, Mallory. She’s an about to burst pregnant woman who’s come to Buckaroo to give birth so that her son will become a serial killer which will then in turn make her famous for having birthed him. Definitely NOT the kind of person you want raising a child, or even near one. She tells all of this to Alice before she starts having contractions. Naturally Alice rushes her to the hospital where all kinds of shenanigans begin. There’s a particularly gruesome scene here that had our very own Editor Zac Thompson gagging, so that’s something to look forward to.

Although the hospital gore is awesome, the conclusion to Mallory’s story is a huge missed opportunity and a bit of a bummer. [Spoiler Alert] Mallory does give birth near the end of the issue and it’s incredibly lack luster. She has a couple contractions they get her on the ground and the next page the babies out. No fuss, no nothing. I’m assuming there’s a time gap between the pages but it still feels rushed.

The whole sequence screams of being cut short and would have greatly benefitted from at least a couple more pages. I understand there’s only so much one can do in an issue but I felt this could have been an oversized issue and really give the story it’s trying to tell more breathing room. On top of that it’s also uncharacteristically tame for Nailbiter. I was buckled in for something absolutely horrific to occur during the birth but nothing.

This one off doesn’t satisfy as deeply as Nailbiter normally does but it’s still wholly enjoyable in its own right. Mallory’s tale is an interesting one, even if the payoff is weak. Once again, Nailbiter proves that even when it stumbles its still leagues ahead of other comics.

—

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 @TorinsChambers

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Comics

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

Published

5 days ago

on

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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