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Monkeybrain Monday 5 Skull Review: “Headspace” # 1

Published

10 years ago

on

While Monkeybrain comics may not specialize in horror, they do specialize in quality comic books. For those of you looking to expand your palette this is “Monkeybrain Monday” showcasing some of the digital titles this smaller publisher has to offer.

Ryan K Lindsay is an established authority in the comics world. He writes about comics, scripts them, and does prose too. His newest collaboration ,“Headspace” takes an unconventional trip to Carpenter Cove. A city located the mind of a killer. We follow Shane, the local sheriff as he battles isolation, loss, and insurmountable odds in a very surreal and insane place.


WRITTEN BY: Ryan K Lindsay
ART BY: Eric Zawadzki & Chris Peterson
PUBLISHER: Monkeybrain Comics
PRICE: $0.99
GET IT HERE: https://www.comixology.com/Headspace-1/digital-comic/77259?app=1

“Headspace” always keeps you guessing. What appears to be a straightforward narrative is quickly cast away. It’s revealed we’re in the mind of a killer. You think okay; we’ll follow this normal sheriff as he slowly pieces together his situation. Lindsay wastes no time, the story explodes and doesn’t let up. The big “twist” isn’t even a twist; it’s a framing device for insanity and horror.

Shane fights his way through the volatile headspace of Max, a serial killer on the run. The script switches between both POV’s to fantastic effect. You watch as the nature of Max’s situation is reflected in the madness of Carpenter Cove. Within said insanity, Shane must find a way to define himself and his situation against everything in his way. Which comes to reveal the heart of the story in the fleeting moments of the issue.

The art is stellar all around. The sequences in Carpenter Cove are cleanly laid out and feature some of the most vibrant creature and character designs around. The town is fully realized. Eric Zawadzki’s style is incredible. He spares no detail and has a knack for incredible perspective. As if this all wasn’t enough he colors his own work. Tonally everything is beautiful and totally soaked in the bleak emotions the script communicates. It’s truly incredible stuff.

When in the real world, Chris Peterson and colorist Marissa Louise take over. Creating a more fast paced and grittier look that serves to add some flavor to the story. It looks distinct, detailed, and dynamic. You’ll feel awash in a sea of strangers as Max frantically tries to free himself from the trouble created by his murders.

“Headspace” is a phenomenal read on every level. The concept is brilliant and executed with such skill that’ll you’ll barely find time to take a breath. The pacing is perfect and the world building is insane. It’s as good as first issues get, and it sows the seeds of an infinitely more interesting world to come. I can’t wait to see issue 2.

Rating: 5/5 Skulls.

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Comics

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

Published

2 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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