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Review: ‘The Fuse’ #2

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10 years ago

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I want to bathe in the “dirty sci-fi” of “The Fuse”. It’s my new favorite sub-genre of science fiction. This isn’t hard sci-fi—there will be no technical explanations of big, scary gadgetry, nothing highly scientific going on. But it’s gritty as hell. That combined with its smartly speculative plot make for a sci-fi that’s appealing and palatable to tourists in the genre yet remaining entertaining to the die-hards. This fantastically crafted comic has the guts of an old pulp rag with the experience of the 21st century comic culture.

WRITTEN BY: Antony Johnston

ART BY: Justin Greenwood

PUBLISHER: Image

PRICE: $3.50

RELEASE: March 19, 2014

To refresh your memory, “The Fuse” is a science fiction/crime/cop drama comic set in the near future in Midway City, an orbiting energy platform 22,000 miles from planet Earth. Emancipated from Earth, Midway City is a five-mile-long steel pressurized environment with very strict laws and a lot of corruption. Veteran Fuse detective, Ristovych, and literal brand new Fuse detective fresh in from Germany, Dietrich, are a seemingly incompatible team until they start digging into the case.

In issue two, as they really dive into the murders of two Fuse cablers (think homeless person meets a computer hacker of the Angelina Jolie and Jonny Lee Miller variety), the low-level compatibility between the two transforms into mutual respect for each other. I love the way that Johnston writes this partnership’s dynamic. It’s definitely got the tropes of an “Odd Couple” relationship mixed with a genuine power that leaves the reader with absolute confidence in their relationship and ability to kick ass together. This is such an urbane and effective dynamic.

Greenwood’s illustrations have completely seeped into the fabric of Johnston’s world. At first I struggled with the stark simplicity of his art but over the course of these first two issues, I’ve grown to love the way his characters and worlds are so distinct yet so light on detail. Literally. His illustrations have very little detail and can appear shifty or blank at some points. But that’s what’s so damn amazing about this style, all the expression in the comic comes from the impact of one single frown line, a raised eyebrow, a tight lip. It blows my mind that he’s able to accomplish so much emotion with such a minimalistic style.

The plot—pacing—is quick and smooth, which is hard to come by in science fiction. Reading in this genre can often feel long-winded and tedious but “The Fuse” manages efficiency and simplicity without losing the hardened edge of crime set in science fiction. It gathers up armfuls of other sub-genres (see: cop-procedural, crime drama, dystopian, speculative fiction) putting them in a melting pot with sharp writing, perfect pacing, and intuitive wit. It’s truly a bold combination of slow burn tension, in-your-face dialogue, and cerebral execution.

4/5 Skulls

Reviewed by – Bree Ogden

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Comics

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

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2 weeks 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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