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[Comic Review] ‘Rick And Morty’ #1 Is A Cheap Substitute

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In the interim between seasons. “Rick and Morty”#1 delivers a genuine fill in that manages to match character, dialogue, and visual style in a satisfying way.  It feels familiar, which gives the fan a positive feeling, but it doesn’t manage to be anything more than an acceptable substitute.  Its good for a few laughs, but ultimately the change in format means that the show doesn’t exactly translate to the page.

STK668032

WRITTEN BY: Zac Gorman

ART BY; CJ Cannon

PUBLISHER: Oni

PRICE: $2.99

RELEASE: April 1, 2015

In order to translate this half hour comedy into a 24 page comic book there are 2 directions you can take: break up an “episode” into multiple parts and spread them out over the span of several issues, or present an entire storyline in a single issue by condensing and rushing plot points. “Rick and Morty” #1 actually does both, to my dismay.  Conflicts are introduced and then quickly resolved, bits are set up and then immediately paid off, and a new character (the uninteresting Detective Tock) is introduced on one page and becomes instrumental almost immediately.  I could be satisfied with the abbreviated structure but after all that rushing it still isn’t wrapped up in one issue, and I don’t feel particularly compelled to come back next month to find out what happens.

I can definitely hear Rick and Morty’s voices coming through as a read, but the cleverness and nuance that makes the show so great is missing here.  It feels like a fan writing these characters, albeit in perfect tone and cadence, but not surprising and delighting me the way these characters do in every episode.

Altogether, it was an enjoyable experience in that it reminded me of all the great episodes and moments and quotes that I loved from the show.  The issue looks and feels like “Rick and Morty” even if its not quite the real deal.  I enjoy the show enough to take this as an alternative and I’m willing to bet if you are a fan you’ll enjoy the experience.

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

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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 (AnimosityBatwomanDC Bombshells) and visualized by artist Giuseppe Cafaro (Suicide SquadPower RangersRed 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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