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[Novel Review] Fractured Time – A Quick Read

Published

12 years ago

on

Fractured Time is a concept novel. Much like a concept car; it is riveting in theory, but much different in reality. This story has all the right elements: a captivating plot, three-dimensional characters, a noticeable storyline with a clear 3-arc structure, and conflict to draw in the readers. But what is this quick read missing? The help of a professional editor and the perks that come with respected and old-fashioned print publishing houses. But this novel contains an idea, one that can’t be dreamt by anyone but Alan Draven. Read on for the skinny…

fracturedtime Author: Alan Draven
Publisher: Black Bed Sheet Books

Fractured Time is a story about Donovan Vicar, a ‘feeler.’ He can sense the intentions, whether good or bad, from those around him and these senses begins to affect the way he lives his own life. One night a predominantly evil man crosses his path, to which he chooses to follow into the night. Vicar winds up 50 years in the past and must deal with the time shift and his emotional responses to those around him; will he make it back to his time? What repercussions will his power have on the 16th century?

This is Alan Draven’s second novel after Bitternest, which was released in 2007. He is an author published online through various small presses and Amazon, and in several magazines and anthologies. Like most in this day and age, he takes advantage of the unmonitored Internet to put his name and work out into the world and to gather a following of supporters. While publishing houses begin to go extinct and the written word becomes less desirable than the online, this version of publishing becomes more popular. But there is something majestic about being chosen by a publisher and assigned to an editor for your novel to be worked on and sold in stores around the world. Fractured Time is a piece that was released to early. The ideas and the design are apparent, but the work as a whole could stand to be refined just a few more times. It takes careful time to distil a work of art.

But this is not to say that Alan Draven and this interesting read do not deserve appraisal, it takes time to learn how to edit, but one can’t grow an imagination. His inspiring idea of a ‘feeler’, an individual whom experiences the characteristics of those around him, is quite new. It is reminiscent of an Empath, a being belonging to the Star Trek universe, in such a way that he himself feels what others are inherently like. Donovan Vicar is the type of character that makes you want to belong in the author’s world.

This read is recommended for those who want to escape into a simpler time, and for those who don’t want to spend hours reading a book.

‘Fractured Time’ Is Available Now Online From Amazon

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

Published

2 days ago

on

April 18, 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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