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Review: Hellraiser #9

Published

12 years ago

on

Oh, how the tables have turned. The mighty have, indeed, fallen, and yet a new monarch is set to rise with the chains of the Configuration. One of the most majestic and notable leaders once more craves flesh, senses, and a conscience. So, a new superior must take over, with dozens of tiny crowns fitted upon her head. Read on for the skinny…

hell9 WRITTEN BY: Clive Barker and Anthony Diblasi
ILLUSTRATIONS BY: Stephen Thompson and Janusz Ordon
PUBLISHER: BOOM!
RELEASE: Available Now

In the first issue of the new arc, the Lead Cenobite has grown tired of his position in Hell, and of the agonizing ways of the puzzle box. In order to live in flesh and bone once more, he had to find a suitable replacement, so he offered it to the only woman to conquer it: Kirsty Cotton. After pilfering her family and friends, he promised that she could see them all again if she accepted his offer. She “could have them all back.” As Kirsty had nothing on earth to lose, she accepted. Now, her reign in Hell is set to commence, and the “former” Elliot Spencer can now endulge the senses on a different plane.

Once again, Hellraiser does not disappoint. The new arc is a perfect introduction to an entirely different set of rules, now that the characters have essentially switched places. The story contains a powerful and action-packed opening sequence, with undertones of battling for flesh and blood, and the internal conflict taking place within Spencer. Religious references are, as usual, omnipresent, but ancient ritual is referenced in the issue, as well. There is also a comedic element near the middle; the imaginative (and, at points, downright hysterical) dialogue is highly demonstrated in these scenes.

Stephen Thompson does a fantastic job on the opening sequence with a mainly blue-on-red color palette. The contrast contributes to the overall conflict and chaos (try saying that three times fast). The remainder of the issue, illustrated by Janusz Ordon, uses a subdued color palette of predominately neutrals and very detailed (yet still subtle and lifelike) line work. There’s no particular trend in line sizing; thin lines are used to capture smaller details and accentuate the eyes, and thicker lines are used to capture bodies and shapes. Speaking of eyes, though, look at them throughout the comic; they’re bright, vibrant, and full of life. I smell symbolism.

This Hellraiser series is a gem among comics. The stories and character development are consistently well-paced. Although the artists have changed a few times in this series, the art has never been close to sub-par. This issue proves that the new arc is going to be just as magnificent as the previous arcs, if not more so. I always look forward to the next issue after finishing Hellraiser #9, it is absolutely no exception.

To find out more about the Hellraiser series, be sure to visit the BOOM! Studios website. Also, look forward to the full graphic novel, Hellraiser Vol. 2, which drops next week. Get stoked!

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Comics

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

Published

13 hours ago

on

April 17, 2024

By

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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