Comics

[Comic Book Review] There’s So Much to See in “LOW” #4

Published

9 years ago

October 29, 2014

Zac Thompson

There’s so much to see in issue #4 of Rick Remender and Greg Tocchini’s series “Low.”

WRITTEN BY: Rick Remender

ART BY: Greg Tocchini

PUBLISHER: Image Comics

PRICE: $3.50

RELEASE: October 29, 2014

Reviewed by Nick Brehmer

Marik has been pulled up into his mother’s hope. The third city, Poluma, still exists and they have found it. However, this hub of science and innovation has fallen into the hands of the scurvy horde and now, like Salus, runs the risk of destroying itself through blind indulgence. The disappointment of Stel and Marik is washed away at the sight of Roln who, back in issue #1, killed Johl and kidnapped his young daughters. Tajo, at least, is alive and has become a sort of play-thing/pseudo daughter to Roln who revels in the familial mind games that he plays with her. The mission of discovery quickly turns into a rescue mission. However, the ebb and flow of doubt and hope continues as Tajo turns out to be more of a willful prisoner than anticipated.

The artwork of this issue is so inspiring. I’m left wondering if the two creators even realize the scale of lore that they create in this universe. It’s on an epic level. Just like the narrative, it’s quick to change and full of surprises. Despite the grit of this new city we get to explore as readers, you want to be there, experiencing and the wonder and disgust that our heroes do.

The thematic brilliance of Remender’s narrative lies in his earnest pursuit of balance. I mentioned in the review of the previous issue that I was concerned that some readers may raise the “preachy” flag on this series. Issue #4 demonstrates that while it may be obvious that Remender is curating a keen sense of optimism, his characters aren’t naïve nor are his situations eschewing discomfort. The opposite really. Remender’s optimism thrives off of discomfort. Optimism requires discomfort in order to be intentional and significant. Balance is also laid out in the development of characters through the incorporation of flaws rather than a strict reliance on their qualities amidst their challenges. For example, up until now, Stel has been the picture of hope, but this issue highlights not only her pride but her rashness as well. Marik becomes the collected one in this issue, but his devotion to his mother’s hope leads him to follow her lead.

In the back matter “Lowdown”, Remender writes that they have a 60-issue story arc planned should things continue to go well for the series. This makes me very, very happy.

—

A product of the harsh lands of Northern Ontario, Nick Brehmer is in fact a sensitive flower currently blooming in the GTA. He spends his downtime wishing he was British. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @nicholasbrehmer

Zac Thompson

Click to comment

Comics

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

Published

6 days ago

April 18, 2024

Meagan Navarro

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.