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Review: ‘Higher Earth’ #5

Published

12 years ago

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Higher Earth is an intriguing recent series from Boom! Studios that seems to be flying a bit under the radar. It revolves around the existence of multiple Earths, and how certain Earths parasitically devour others to cultivate wealth for themselves. People from each Earth have counterparts on other Earths as well, although the conditions of these Earths and the beliefs of these people tend to vary to some degree. At the top of this hierarchy is Highest Earth – the 1% of the multiverse, if you will – which is run by an enigmatic Queen who has some connection to our two main protagonists, one of whom is implied to be another alternate universe version of her. However, issue #5 functions as an expository backstory to the young Queen’s beginnings, and the start of her dominance of the multiverse.

WRITTEN BY: Sam Humphries
ART BY: Joe Eisma
PUBLISHER: Boom! Studios
PRICE: $3.99
RELEASE: Sept. 26th, 2012

While its fairly high-concept, “Higher Earth” has thus far been laid out simply from a story-telling perspective allowing easy access for new readers. Only a few characters have been introduced so far, and most of them are alternate versions of each other. This simplicity is one of the greatest strengths of the series. as it does not get bogged down with details. While this doesn’t lead to many wow-moments, Sam Humphries’ plots is engaging and establishes enough suspense to keep the action moving. Such is the case in this issue, as we see just how the Queen came to be.

Born a young child on a war-torn Earth, she becomes the first human to enter another parallel Earth. Her experiences hone a desire to explore the multiverse, as well as a ruthless survival instinct in her. A meeting with an alternate universe self then leads to a path she could have never imagined, but takes to with ruthless efficiency. A simple story, which doesn’t take many chances – except for the meeting between the two “Queens” – but it explores the development of the Queen’s character, and it provides an explanation for how the setting of the series came to be.

Joe Eisma takes over from Francesco Biagini on this issue. While his work is serviceable, it doesn’t quite meet the standard Biagini set in previous issues. Eisma’s work isn’t bad, but it’s far from remarkable. His characters are solid, but his environments are generally bland.

“Higher Earth” #5 doesn’t take many risks but there are moments hinting at the serious potential for the series. Issue #5 is another solid entry in this young series and it keeps the soft sci-fi epic trotting forward.

3.5/5 Skulls

Reviewed by – George Shunick

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

Published

2 weeks ago

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April 18, 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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