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Review: ‘The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys’ # 4

Published

11 years ago

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Gerard Way and Shaun Simon’s “The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys” continues to be refreshing and incredibly original. This month’s story is packed with character transitions that gear us up for the inevitable finale. The art continues to impress and the story never stops rocking.


WRITTEN BY: Gerard Way & Shaun Simon
ART BY: Becky Cloonan
PUBLISHER: Dark Horse
PRICE: $3.99
RELEASE: September 11, 2013

“Killjoys” is a rare breed. It exists entirely in its own world, characters are outside of our frame of reference, and it’s heavily stylized. Usually such elements can spell disaster for less talented teams. However, by the end of this issue you begin to understand the dynamics at play in the larger infrastructure of this world. This helps to underline character motivations, and builds the world as a character in and of itself.

The style of the book has always been a major draw. Issue 4 never loses sight of its own voice. Instead it completely wraps itself in it creating a tragic issue of loss, growth, and doubt. Every character here has the world around them betray their ideals. Each of them in different ways, but by the end everyone is in a different state of mind.

This includes the reader. Way and Simon have taken the extra steps to betray even those we thought were safe. In doing so they’ve shown us just how volatile their world is. The best thing: the safest place for our characters is the desolate wasteland of the desert. It’s a fantastic juxtaposition.

As a protagonist, The Girl finally comes into her own. She accepts some responsibility, and sticks up for herself. The result is a more focused and exciting issue. She is finally ready to become the destined leader, and better yet, she may be able to save some of these wonderful supporting players from destroying themselves.

Cloonan’s art is the things dreams are made of. I cannot imagine this series with anyone else on board. Her heavy lines and use of blacks in Battery City depict a place devoid of comfort. It alienates the reader from the characters and makes you hate the place. Everything with Korse stumbling upon his destroyed home is incredible. From the way he remorselessly bangs on the door, to his pained face in his moment of revelation. Cloonan kills it.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the escape of the porno droids from Battery City. Their efforts are so hopeless, but depicted with such beauty. Page 12, 13, and 14 will leave you in awe. The paneling work that Cloonan has done is brilliant. The flow is dynamic and unlike most other things, but the right moment so dramatically owns the page, that you’ll feel broken as you read it. It’s magnificent stuff.

As “Killjoys” nears its conclusion, the quality only gets better. This issue manages to develop every character’s motivation, build the world, and create new conflicts. I’m afraid to leave this world behind; there is so much more story to tell and only two issues to go.

Rating: 4/5 Skulls

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Comics

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

Published

1 day 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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