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[Comic Book Review] “Teen Titans: Earth One” Is Exciting And Fresh!

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9 years ago

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Jeff Lemire and Terry Dodson’s “Teen Titans: Earth One” Volume 1 is an utter joy that can be fully appreciated by long time Teen Titans fans and new ones alike. The whole team dynamic is changed up in new and inventive ways. This excitingly fresh take on the Titans grounds them a bit more in reality while connecting them in an entirely new and exciting way.

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WRITTEN BY: Jeff Lemire

ART BY: Terry Dodson

PUBLISHER: DC Comics

PRICE: $22.99

RELEASE: November 19, 2014

Reviewed By: Torin Chambers

The main Titans this book deals with are Raven, Terra, Cyborg, Beast Boy, Jericho and a mysterious final character. The mystery one will become obvious to long time fans almost immediately but that still doesn’t undercut their reveal near the end of the story. Raven has been reinvented as a Navajo Indian, a change that fits her character and powers so well I almost can’t believe it hasn’t been this way the whole time.

She’s separate from the others for most of the book but does have a sort of spiritual connection to them. Besides the mystery member, all the other Titans go to High School together. Terra’s being raised by a neglectful single mother who enjoys drinking her days away. Cyborg’s mother isn’t much better, she just envelopes herself in her work and has no time for her son. Terra and Cyborg are also dating and have been for some time before the book even starts. Beast Boy and Jericho are both incredibly mentally gifted and new to the school as the story begins.

The way Lemire brings them all together is outstanding; creating a team that has a much more tangible reason for them to be together, other than just being a Justice League Junior. All the different moving parts are key to the story, there are no offhand red herrings here. Also as far as I can tell there are no connections to Superman or Batman Earth One, so there’s no necessary reading to get into Teen Titans.

One of the most exciting things about the book, and just a Teen Titans team in general, is there’s no Nightwing/Robin to take the leadership role. This instantly and drastically changes up the teams dynamic. While they don’t do that much as a team this volume there are hints at what it could be like. They all sort of work together when solving their problems, each equally contributing to the group at large.

Teen Titans Earth One Vol 1 is a damn fine read that anyone can jump right into and have a blast. Long time fans will also find a lot to enjoy here too, seeing how classic characters have been fundamentally changed up while still retaining the essence of their character. It also ends on a huge cliffhanger that has me desperately clamoring for more. Check it out, you won’t be disappointed.

—

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

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2 days 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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