Comics

Advance Review: ‘The Massive’ #1

Published

12 years ago

May 31, 2012

Brian Wood’s work has consistently made him a critical darling, but for some reason his book have never lit up the sales charts. Since Wood broke onto the scene, he’s always had a firm commitment to working on his creator-owned books like “DMZ” or “Northalnders” rather than writing “Superman” or “Spiderman”, which meant he’s never had the chance to rise to superstar status like a Bendis, Morrison, or Snyder. After a lengthy exclusive contract with DC Comics, Wood is now free to sow his wild oats with the rest of the industry. The Massive #1 is another prime example of his ability to rank up there with the best of them.

WRITTEN BY: Brian Wood
ART BY: Kristian Donaldson
PUBLISHER: Dark Horse
PRICE: $3.50
RELEASE: June 13

DC’s loss is Dark Horse’s gain, as the company immediately offered Wood a platform to launch his new creator owned ongoing, “The Massive” with artist Kristian Donaldson. The book takes place in a world where global warming and climate change has sent the planet spiraling into apocalyptic chaos. With the entire planet under siege from environmental disasters, a small group of activists set out to figure out what went wrong, and how can they alter the course of their grim future, while searching for their lost sister ship “The Massive”.

Wood once again steals the show with a politically conscious premise, razor sharp dialogue, and an emotional punch to the stomach as he reveals how the planet has been ravaged. Kristian Donaldson’s artwork is a perfect match for Wood’s grim environment. His style is smooth and simplistic rather than hyper detailed. Donaldson’s attention to detail gives readers some glorious life-like shots of the ships on the open seas that really encompass the title of the book.

“The Massive” #1 does everything a great first issue should; it introduces engaging characters, intriguing subplots, and it leaves you anxiously awaiting the next issue. While it may be a bit preemptive, “The Massive” is already shaping up to be one of the best new series of 2012 and we can only pray that this book finds an audience. With Wood’s proven track record for long form storytelling and Donaldson’s breathtaking artwork, this book should be mandatory on everyone’s pull list.

Reviewed by- Big J

Lonnie Nadler

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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.