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Jim Sokolowski Promises ‘Afterlife With Archie’ Is A Real Horror Comic

Published

11 years ago

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Comic book readers have been speculating about the upcoming “Afterlife with Archie” series that brings zombies into the pleasant world of Riverdale. Some people are concerned that the series, written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa with art from Franchesco Francavilla, might just be more Archie innocence. But, according to Jim Sokolowski the series is a legitimate horror comic, combinging elements of H.P. Lovecraft, Stephen King, and “The Walking Dead”. See the official statement below.

Bleeding Cool got the following statement, which Jim Sokolowski issued to comic book retailers:

I’ve been hearing that some of you think that AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE is like any other Archie title, or maybe like Archie meets Kiss. THAT IS INCORRECT!

I’ve read the scripts (Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa) and seen the pages (Franchesco Francavilla) for issue #1…

We all know the Archie gang. Good kids. Living in their peaceful community, where the biggest problem is “Who’s going to the dance with Archie…Betty or Veronica”. We grew up with them. We like them. Like I said, good kids. That is NOT Afterlife with Archie!

Take some H.P. Lovecraft, mix in a scoop of Stephen King, add a dollop of Walking Dead and pour this horrifying mixture over idyllic Riverdale. We’ve never seen Archie and the gang have to deal with anything close to this level of BAD. We’ll see who steps up and who shuts down, who leads and who falls. We’ll learn things about the denizens of Riverdale that the previous 70+ years of stories never would have told. That IS Afterlife with Archie

We’d like you and your customers to join us ion this strange trip..

Afterlife with Archie is an on-going $2.99 title. The 1st issue goes on sale in your stores on October 9 (kicking off NYCC, for those who keep track). Here’s a list of what we’re doing to help you sell this “out of the crypt” Archie title.

– * Variant covers from Franchesco Francavilla, Tim Seeley, and Andrew Pepoy

– *A retailer specific variant featuring “Your Store” by Robert Hack

– *4”X6” Promotional Postcards to distribute to your clientele (coming from DCD, let me know if you need more than you receive).

– *There will be NO Newsstand Distribution for Afterlife with Archie. This is rated Teen + and should be racked with similar product. It should not be racked with other Archie comics.

If you’re still not convinced that this is a “real horror comic”, e-mail me and ask for a copy of the script for the 1st issue. I’ll be happy to share it with you. I only ask that you don’t share it with the press/blog/gossip/twittersphere.

We’re excited about this new launch and truly appreciate your help and support in making Afterlife a hit. If you have any ideas you’d like to share (or just need more postcards), don’t hesitate to contact me.

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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

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