Comics

Review: ‘Star Trek TNG/Doctor Who: Assimilation2’ Vol. 1 TPB

Published

12 years ago

September 28, 2012

Star Trek: The Next Generation? 25-years-young with passionate fans. Doctor Who? 50-years-young and currently enjoying a renaissance. Why haven’t these two series met before and blown fandom’s minds sooner? Well, wait no longer – Star Trek TNG/Doctor Who: Assimilation2 Volume 1 is upon us. And it’s not a sequel as the title may suggest, it is Assimilation “squared”. Reading through the book is like spending a weekend watching a season of either show in double time. This is is the first four issues collected of the eight-issue mini-series and it is off to a grand start.

WRITTEN BY: Scott & David Tipton with Tony Lee
ART BY: J.K. Woodward, The Sharp Bros. and Gordon Purcell
Publisher: IDW Publishing
PRICE: $17.99
RELEASE: October 9th, 2012

SPOILERS-ISH AHEAD! I will try my best to be vaguely vague.

Two of the deadliest foes that either series ever faced join forces to terrorize various universes. Whenever worlds like these collide, the “why” is never as important as seeing how everyone’s favorite characters will engage with one another. The Doctor and Captain Picard are as different as two characters can be, and they interact exactly how you would expect. The story is enthralling and quick witted, aligning itself with the current incarnation of Doctor Who. The writing team of Scott and David Tipton with Tony Lee have a solid grasp of all the characters, and it doesn’t hurt that you already know how most of these characters speak in your mind. It reads as a fast paced episode of Doctor Who with a nice touch of Star Trek: Next Generation technology.

As a bonus, readers get a glimpse of a previous “generation” with another Doctor in one chapter that works to great effect. The change in art for this issue by the Sharp Bros. is a brilliant move as it shows the many contrasts of the older series with its sharp colors and straight forward action that a certain Captain and his crew are well known for. The throwback sequence is tastefully done with its bold and dynamic action with a touch of Mike Allred-ness thrown in for good measure. The rest of the series is painted by J.K. Woodward and Gordon Purcell which sets its own moods from planet to planet and from TARDIS to Enterprise. The moody coloring and portrait-like shots of the characters shows off the many worlds these adventurers are exploring as they uncover the mystery of the deadly alliance of Borg and Cybermen. As the tale progresses, the debate of who is worse begins unfolding for The Enterprise crew and The Doctor and his companions.

Staying true to form, there are no easy answers for anyone. The Tiptons and Lee have really shown the right amount of heart, emotion and honesty from the Doctor’s side as well as showing the wit and big questions fans know from the Next Generation crew. The creators leave good hooks at the end of each chapter just like in any long form story telling to keep you wanting more. It wouldn’t be a bad thing were they to release the series weekly or bi-weekly like the TV shows they are portraying as fans appetites have become harder to satisfy. Whether you’re a fan of Doctor Who, or TNG, or even if enjoy a good sci-fi adventure, this book is loads of fun on all fronts.

4/5 Skulls

Reviewed by: FriendlyNeighborhoodBrady

Lonnie Nadler

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Comics

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

Published

7 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.