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[Comic Book Review] “Burning Fields” #2 – Is An Absolute Must Buy

Published

9 years ago

on

Reviewed By Eric Switzer. Part 2 of the 8 part “Burning Fields” miniseries is densely packed with new information and new questions about who are what is killing and dismembering people around a middle eastern oil field.  “Burning Fields” is a unique blend of political thriller, body horror, and noir in a setting virtually never seen outside of modern war films (or particular national cinema) and, for my money, is the only book you should absolutely be buying today.

STK662692WRITTEN BY: Michael Moreci & Tim Daniel
ART BY: Colin Lorimer
PUBLISHER: BOOM!
PRICE: $3.99
RELEASE: February 18, 2015

There is a lot to like about this book.  The dialogue, for one, is sharp and gritty, the back-and-forth between Dana and Aban serves to distinguish their characteristics and background while having tons of noir style.  Tonally, the book is a blast to read because it feels so carefully and deliberately constructed.  As a reader I appreciate the evidence of the creators’ investment; I can be taken along for the ride because I trust that I’ll end up somewhere that’s worth it.  This is my impression of “Burning Fields” a quarter of the way in.  I feel confident this will be a satisfying journey.

The scope has swelled beyond just the field and those around it quickly, as we are introduced to a cultish group whose involvement is uncertain.  I was confused by the conversation between Verge and their leader.  It was the same kind of setup that confused me in the first issue, because there is such a noticeable lack of exposition in their dialogue and we are being so deliberately thrown into the middle of something with not context that it feels like I missed something.  The other thing that slightly tripped me up was in a classic crime drama moment Dana is clued into a worker abandoning the job site and referred to someone else for more information, only to track down that person and immediately be referred to someone else for more information.  Had it happened one more time I may have tipped my hat to the satire, however out of place it would have been, but as it stands its right on the line between useless and laughable.

For both issues I’m really tempted to give “Burning Fields” a perfect score.  It is shaping up to be a really great story, with sophisticated writing, interesting and engaging artwork, and the kind of originality that makes you crave something you didn’t ever know you wanted.  But along the way I the book has some bumps.  My feeling is when it is all over we will look back at the complete package and see that all the pieces are there.  Issue to issue, however, there are things here and there that take me out of the experience.  The book is ambitious and, if nothing else, supporting it with our dollars means we’ll get more fresh ideas in comics.  I highly recommend it.

—

Eric Switzer  is an aspiring filmmaker and screenplay writer living in Los Angeles.  His work tends to focus on the lighter side of entropy, dystopic futures, and man’s innate struggle with his own mortality.  He can be found on twitter @epicswitzer or reached via email at ericswitzerfilm@gmail.com. 

 

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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

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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