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Review: ‘Fatima: The Blood Spinners’ #1

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12 years ago

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Although humanity is currently (or is at least trying to be) in the midst of an age where “anything goes,” we still manage to be surprised now and again, and the first issue of Gilbert Hernandez’s Fatima: The Blood Spinners is definitely one of those surprises. Modern comics are usually full of graphic detail, dynamic action sequences, and, generally “fancy” things. “Fatima” strips away all of the realism that has come to be expected with today’s comics, and instead brings back the black-and-white, pop art adventures that have been forgotten in the mainstream.

WRITTEN BY: Gilbert Hernandez
ART BY: Gilbert Hernandez
PUBLISHER: Dark Horse
RELEASE: June 27

According to Dark Horse, “A drug called ‘spin’ offers the wildest trip imaginable, followed by its users’ inevitable, rapid deterioration into undead flesh eaters.” As a result of the mass popularity (and consumption) of “spin,” humans are rapidly dying off. Ultimately, it’s up to the busty heroine, Fatima, to destroy the zombies once and for all. The comic opens in the “present day,” so to speak, but most of the comic is a long flashback, where Fatima explains how she got to where she is today.

At first, I wasn’t quite sure of what to make of this comic. The premise and artwork are, stylistically, rather simple. Most of the girls look like animé Angelina Jolie (complete with tiny waist and huge knockers), and the flashback sequence reminds me of a cross between a James Bond adventure and a Romero film. Call me “new school” all you want, but I was taken aback, because I’m simply not used to seeing that style in a new release.

However, as basic as this comic seems, I can’t bash it. Just take a step back and view it from a larger standpoint. The artwork is quite charming, the story is oddly dynamic, and Fatima’s character is stupidly well developed after only one issue. This is the perfect break from other zombie books because it’s a whole lot of different, combined with the same themes you’ve come to know and love. “Fatima” will find its fair share of followers, and it’s well worth a read.

4/5 Skulls

Reviewed by – Kaity McAllister

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Comics

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

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11 hours ago

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April 17, 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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