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Review: ‘Alabaster: Wolves’ #3

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Caitlin R. Kiernan and Steve Lieber successfully continue an already thoroughly gripping tale in Issue #3 of Alabaster: Wolves. Darcy reflects on her past, and dreams of death and suffering. But will her memories be too much for her? Or will she finally be able to step further toward righteousness?

WRITTEN BY: Caitlin R. Kiernan
ART BY: Steve Lieber
PUBLISHER: Dark Horse
RELEASE: Out now

The story is flowing smoothly, with one issue seamlessly weaving into the next. This issue of “Wolves” opens with a chilling dream sequence. When Dancy Flammarion awakens, she realizes that she’s laying by a campfire with none other than her ghostly, lycanthropic friend. Throughout the rest of the issue, Dancy recalls another tale from the ashes of the burning hellfire that was her past. At the end of her reminiscence, she comes to a fantastic revelation that leaves things fairly open ended for the future.

Although this issue is a bit slow paced, it contains just the right amount of action to smooth it out. The flashback scenes contain plenty of excitement and, as usual, some awesome creatures to reel the reader in. Steve Lieber successfully brings Kiernan’s creative story to life. But as wonderfully detailed as the characters are, some of his best linework is definitely demonstrated on the creatures. Rachelle Rosenberg has a knack for capturing the mood with color, especially in the scenery. She sets the tone for every scene very well, sometimes using startling colors that may not work in other comics. I also have to give major props to Greg Ruth for the beautiful cover art; this issue’s was my favorite cover so far.

As supernaturally driven as this series is, the story remains very real. The script is raw and powerful, the characters are dynamic, with brilliant artwork to tie it all together. Kiernan’s new tale is sure to become a classic story of good vs. evil, with everything in between.

4/5 Skulls

Reviewed by – Kaity McAllister

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

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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 (AnimosityBatwomanDC Bombshells) and visualized by artist Giuseppe Cafaro (Suicide SquadPower RangersRed 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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