Comics

Review: ‘Next Testament’ #7

Published

10 years ago

January 17, 2014

With such sharp writing, fast pacing, and some spectacular visuals, “Next Testament” #7 cleverly manages to intensify its epic scope. Just like its previous arc, this installment takes the reader to dark and thrilling places. Get ready for a true lesson in horror and see why the “Next Testament” series was my #1 comic book series of 2013.

WRITTEN BY: Clive Barker and Mark Miller
ART BY: Haemi Jang
PUBLISHER: Boom! Studios
PRICE: $3.99
RELEASE: Jan. 15, 2013

The powerful entity known as Wick has set his sights on the innocent and guilty of San Francisco. Always staying by his side, billionaire Julian Demond watches as a massive crowd of followers worship Wick’s feet. But just like Julian, these worshippers are afraid of what Wick will do to them if they don’t obey his every whim. After Wick destroyed the Midwest with the snap of his fingers, Tristan, Julian’s son, and his fiancée, Elspeth, are all alone in their journey to Providence. Even if they can get to their destination alive, what can the young lovers possibly do to stop Wick?

As Clive Barker and co-writer, Mark Miller, jump back and forth between the two subplots, the character arcs of Tristan and Julian are starting to gradually change. Because his own father abandoned him, Tristan did the same and disregarded God. After everything he and Elspeth have witnessed, Tristan is starting to believe he has been caught up in this extraordinary situation for a reason. Never showing any lack of loyalty, Julian has always stayed by Wick’s side, even after so many lives have been lost. The story takes an unexpected turn when Wick demands more than complete obedience from Julian.

Though Wick’s ranting at the sky sounds like a delusional madman, Barker and Miller are actually hinting at what’s to come. Wick mentions his brothers, which is a reference to a flashback in the second installment. In the flashback, Wick, who calls himself the Father of Colors, explains what happened the last time he met The Son and The Holy Spirit. One of Wick’s brothers happens to be the Devil, who might be the Son, and I hope this scene foreshadows a reunion.

Artist Haemi Jang does a terrific job portraying the aftermath of Wick destroying half the world. In a stunning wide shot, Jang illustrates Tristan and Elspeth driving across the wasteland. We see nothing but never-ending sand and clear blue skies in the broad view. Though they are alone, Jang depicts such warmth and closeness between the young lovers as they hold onto each other.

What I really liked about Jang’s artwork are the little details in the crowd scenes. If you notice in the facial reactions, this isn’t a devote group of worshippers that Wick is dealing with. Jang illustrates a few of Wick’s worshippers with beads of sweat running down their forehead. They crowd isn’t sweaty because they’re exhausted from something; they’re actually terrified of Wick. They’re afraid of Wick because he’s holding them as hostages.

The start of its second half, “Next Testament” #7 never seems to be waning and still continues to be a fantastic reading experience. The “Next Testament” series is just five issues from its finale and I cannot wait to be there.

4.5/5 Skulls

Reviewed by Jorge Solis

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.