Comics
Review: “Kill Shakespeare: The Mask Of Night” #3
“Kill Shakespeare: The Mask Of Night” #3 delivers an action-packed thriller that doesn’t know how to slow down. The classic Shakespearean characters feel more alive, developed, and modernized as they become part of the swashbuckling genre. In a fresh and new direction, the “Kill Shakespeare” series has found a clever way to appeal to both newcomers and longtime readers.
Written By: Conor McCreery and Anthony Del Col
Art By: Andy Belanger
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Price: $3.99
Release: August 27, 2014
Reviewed By Jorge Solis
In the aftermath of “Vol. 3: Tide of Blood,” Juliet, Hamlet, and Othello are captured on the pirate ship, The Boreas. Hamlet cannot put his trust in Juliet, because she may be carrying Romeo’s child. Though they are held captive, pirates Cesario and Viola are about to learn there is no honor amongst thieves. Now that the traitor has finally been revealed, Lucius Andronicus is just moments away from making his terrifying arrival.
Writers Conor McCreery and Anthony Del Col are really at their best when they spotlight the female Shakespearean characters. This reviewer believes there’s more depth to these characters because the writers have steered away from the romanticism. It’d definitely not a pretty sight when Juliet, who was originally the lovelorn teen, has a heart-to-heart talk with Hamlet. Everything is revealed and wounds are reopened as Juliet is forced to remember she cheated on Hamlet with Romeo.
McCreery and Del Col have carried the narrative with suspense hinting at the upcoming arrival of the rival ship Lavinia. Even though we never see Lucius Andronicus, everyone seems to tremble when his name is mentioned. This is the issue where Andronicus shows up and it doesn’t disappoint. I can’t wait to see what the writers have in store with this deadly antagonist.
The highlight of Andy Belanger’s artwork is what his drawings can say so much with silence. Notice how Belanger is able to create so much mood and suspense in the first two pages. The illustrations focus on a flying black bird as the winged creature delivers a message to Viola. And when there’s dialogue, Belanger adds so much creativeness to the panel layouts in an impressive splash page.
In Belanger’s character design, Andronics looks more like a Goth rock star, with his long hair and pale skin. Notice when danger is around, he is always smiling. Belanger adds so much personality in his facial features during his grand entrance. I do like that he has a small crossbow strapped to his wrist.
“Kill Shakespeare: The Mask of Night” #3 continues to be a riveting swashbuckling adventure with tons of plot twists. I can’t wait to see the Lavinia and the Boreas do battle in the waters.
Comics
‘Witchblade’ is Getting Resurrected This Summer in New Comic Series from Top Cow and Image Comics
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.
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Cover A: Marc Silvestri and Arif Prianto (Full Color)
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Cover B: Giuseppe Cafaro and Arif Prianto (Full Color)
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Cover C: Blank Sketch Cover
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Cover D (1/10): Dani and Brad Simpson (Full Color)
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Cover E (1/25): Marc Silvestri and Arif Prianto, Virgin Cover (Full Color)
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Cover F (1/50): J.Scott Campbell (Full Color)
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Cover G (1/100): Bill Sienkiewicz. (Full Color)
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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.
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