Comics

Review: ‘The Legend of Luther Strode’ #1

Published

11 years ago

December 7, 2012

Writer Justin Jordan and artist Trad Moore are back at it again with The Legend of Luther Strode #1, set five years after the events of “The Strange Talent of Luther Strode” and the extreme violence of the duo’s first mini-series continues to reign supreme. If copious amounts of lovingly drawn and incredibly detailed blood, guts, and gore aren’t your thing, then “The Legend of Luther Strode” probably isn’t for you. But if it is, then this issue is a veritable cornucopia of grisly delights.

WRITTEN BY: Justin Jordan
ART BY: Trad Moore
PUBLISHER: Image Comics
RELEASE: December 5, 2012
PRICE: $3.50

Fans of the original mini-series can expect something a bit different, with the story jumping ahead five years in time and taking a distinctive approach from the “The Strange Talent of Luther Strode”. Whereas Luther’s first foray into vigilantism followed the familiar Spider-Man-esque trope of a beta male high school student gaining powers far beyond the scope of normal human abilities, “The Legend of Luther Strode” adopts a tone more suited to a Dark Knight type atmosphere, with Luther largely hidden in shadow, looming over a cadre of mostly generic thugs and crime lords as a menacing Boogeyman.

The plot slowly simmers into something delightfully twisted and a surprise reveal of a character from the first arc will surely leave fans salivating though the issue isn’t without its flaws. With one notable exception, it is worth mentioning that the only women we see in “The Legend of Luther Strode” are nameless, faceless prostitutes – disposable both to the characters and, seemingly, the creators behind them. In a work that relies on violence as a form of subversion, it would be potentially more interesting to see a more complex take on gender within that subversion, because what we’re left with is pretty standard issue.

Moore’s art is as kinetic as ever and the joy he takes in eviscerating repellant goons is infectious. Despite a few curious stylistic ticks, like strangely pinched faces and occasionally too-small hands, the artwork retains the brilliance of their original run and the Technicolor blood and guts is worth the price of admission on its own merit.

With more characters rolling out in upcoming issues, it’ll be interesting to find out what exactly transpired in the previous five years to so drastically change the landscape of the Luther Strode universe. All in all, it’s a solid first issue and the choice to leap forward, temporally, in the saga of Luther Strode is a wise one, as it opens up a whole wondrous world of delightfully violent possibilities.

3.5/5 Skulls

Reviewed by – MelissaGrey

Related Topics:Image Comics Luthor Strode The Legend of Luther Strode

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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.