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Review: “The Fuse” #4

Published

10 years ago

on

Review by – Bree Ogden

“The Fuse” continues to impress me with its quick-witted, expeditious, and hugely digestible sci-fi crime plot. Johnston tangles up relevant social issues and seedy entertainment to create a nearly perfect 4th installment in this dirty sci-fi drama.
The-Fuse-4-Cover
WRITTEN BY: Antony Johnston

ART BY: Justin Greenwood

PUBLISHER: Image

PRICE: $3.50

RELEASE: May 28, 2014

The truly impressive aspect of this comic is the fact that in one issue, not a lot technically happens, but still I’m flipping the pages almost faster than my mind can digest them simply because I cannot wait to see what’s next. For the most part, Ristovych and Dietrich are just pounding pavement, continuing to uncover secrets and lies in their quest to solve the double Cabler murder from issue one. Only a few days have passed in the course of four issues, but the depth at which the characters and plots are explored is remarkable.

Nearly every character has a secret that is investigated in this issue. It’s a weighty issue for emotional exploration. Birch is the center of investigation while the other exterior characters keep the pacing brisk. We meet Ristovych’s son who may or may not be involved in some dirty politics and we’re allowed a closer peek into the office of the mayor and his dysfunctional crew. The balance between main and supporting characters is impeccable. Their individual stories are woven together in a way that makes sense without feeling convenient or obvious.

The clarity that is afforded us as we delve into the unfamiliar world of “The Fuse” is exceedingly generous. I’m constantly inspired by the deftness in which Johnston delivers us into his scenes. He is dealing with a deck of difficult cards: science fiction, cop procedural… these aren’t easily palatable, but he’s dealt them out with remarkable agility.

While I admit, there was a split second of heavy-handedness, a moment where I felt the “secrets revealed” where a tad soap opera-ish, it only lasted a mere minute before it either faded into the continuity or felt justified by the plot, I’m not sure what happened but it worked either way.

For the first time in a long time, possibly ever, I really appreciate the lack of detail in the art. I crave the simplicity. With the plot moving at an impossible speed, detailed, intricate art would slow the pace, completely changing the dynamic of the story. I’m not sure if this was a purposeful decision on the part of Greenwood or a happy mistake but I’m grateful for it. It’s one of the reasons this comic rates so high for me each month.

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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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