Connect with us

Comics

Advance Review: ‘Liberator’ # 2

Published

11 years ago

on

Matt Miner’s “Liberator” continues this month is a more focused and driven chapter. An important and engaging story, Liberator proves that real world issues can be explored thoughtfully in comics. “Liberator” is a book with deep understanding of its subject matter. A world most of us are familiar with. Few of us have more than a surface level understanding of animal cruelty. As such there are times where the story borders on preachy. Yet, at its best “Liberator” is a hard-edged exploration on real world heroes.

WRITTEN BY: Matt Miner
ART BY: Javier Sanchez Aranda
PUBLISHER: Black Mask Studios
PRICE: $3.50
RELEASE: July 31, 2013

I use the term hero, since I find the word vigilante carries certain connotations. Yet, make no mistake that heroes and vigilantes are practically one in the same. That being said. Miner’s Damon is as focused and driven a hero as you can have.

The series is grounded in reality. The characters in “Liberator” never feel sensational and the conflict very much exists in the real world. Comparisons to “Kick-Ass” are sure to be made, due to Damon donning a mask. Yet, Damon takes the streets with a cause that defines him, and defines his actions. Ultimately giving the book a moral conscience that is missing from most vigilante justice stories.

Damon is firm in his beliefs about animal rights. His job sucks, and he won’t stand for injustice. His temper can get inflamed rather easily but it doesn’t prove to be a problem just yet. Damon’s arrival to the McMartin Fur Farm is dramatic and interesting. Miner’s script favors the small moments to build character.

The issue kicks into high gear when Jeanette joins Damon. Our heroes are clearly established and their goals become clear. The banter back and forth about the Batman and Robin dynamic was fantastic and funny. Miner’s script allows for some levity in moments that should be tense.

Miner continues to cement his heroes’ motivations with a vivid script. Aranda’s art depicts some acts of animal cruelty that are hard to look at. Which is surely the point. The art allows us to immediately sympathize with Damon and Jeanette’s goals.

The issue is surprisingly light on action. However, the story doesn’t succumb to any pacing issues. Aranda’s art uses the slower, more expositional script to dive into the characters. Intimate facial expressions and big panels are on full display here. It invests the reader and the face work conveys almost everything a character is going through.

The hooks set up for the future of the series are great and engaging. I was worried as I saw Damon’s face on page 17, and I can’t wait to see how this thread pays off. The issue ends with a bang, and allows us just to see what our heroes are capable of.

Miner’s script is incredibly strong and well constructed. The story ebbs and flows ensuring there is never a dull moment. If you ever sympathized with animal rights in the slightest I urge you to pick up this book. There are worse ways to send an important message. Not to mention the book is really well written. The entire thing is poignant and refreshing.

“Kick-Ass” with a cause.

4/5 Skulls

Reviewed by – Jimbus_Christ

Related Topics:
Advertisement
Click to comment

Comics

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

Published

5 days ago

on

April 18, 2024

By

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

Continue Reading