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Volume 5 covers a three issue miniseries called Firstborn, as well as Witchblade issues 110-115. We learn that New York detective Sara Pezzini was the bearer of the Witchblade, an ancient artifact borne of the elemental universal forces of light and darkness and it maintains a balance between the two. Light, known as the Angelus, and the Darkness both occupy human hosts on Earth. While the Darkness inhabits a local crime boss named Jackie Estacado, the Angelus remains searching for a host deemed worthy.
The Witchblade usually manifests as a gauntlet and bestows its wearer with incredible powers. However, having mysteriously become pregnant, Sara has given up the Witchblade to Dani Baptiste, the daughter of Sara’s boss. When Sara finds out the improbable identity of her unborn child’s father, the stakes are raised by the influence her baby may hold over the balance between the Angelus and the Darkness as well as the fate of the universe itself. Soon a war is waged over Sara’s baby as she struggles to find protection without the assistance of the Witchblade.
This volume is written by Ron Marz and for the most part the writing is competent and interesting. The aspect of the Witchblade universe I like best is its moral ambiguity. Good and evil are not black and white. This holds true both figuratively and literally. The antagonists in this story are not always as they seem. The forces of evil are fluid and nuanced and “good” seems to really be a matter of perspective. This makes the characters infinitely more interesting and unpredictable.
Witchblade covers topics that are atypical in comic books of this genre. There are plots and subplots devoted entirely to concepts such as careers, dating, sex, and motherhood. And although, it doesn’t entirely avoid the well tread path of the Lifetime Movie of the Week, Witchblade treats these ideas seriously and handles them in an interesting enough manner as to not alienate the young testosterone-infused demographic. Moreover, this universe targets female 20-somethings and it does so unapologetically and mostly successfully.
Despite these positive attributes it feels like there’s unrealized potential in the ideas explored within. Nothing ever rises to the heights that these ambitious ideas warrant. And stylistically, there are a few problems as well. I found myself annoyed by the abundance of on-the-nose exposition and confused by the equally abundant number of characters inhabiting any given page all at once.
Marz’s lead characters are strong, particularly Sara Pezzini. However, I find Patience the Magdalena, Witchblade’s requisite bloodline-of-Christ character, to be the most compelling of the peripheral folks populating this story. Unfortunately, she’s inexplicably underused and under motivated here. A bit more of that aforementioned unfulfilled potential, I suppose.
The artwork found in Witchblade Volume 5 is various and fantastic. Artists including Luke Ross, Sami Basri, Kevin Nowlan, Nathan Faribairn, Dave McCaig, and Rick Leonardi all contribute their respective styles and skills to this volume, but it’s the work of artist Stjepan Sejic that sets this book off. Sejic’s work is not photorealistic, but it’s realistically bold and alive in a slightly off kilter way. Sejic renders these characters with supple flesh and hair so well drawn you could reach into the page and style it provided you have a comb. Witchblade Volume 5 is visually nutrient and truly a pleasure to look at.
Overall, Ron Marz’s latest contribution to this universe is an ambitiously dynamic affair. It tries to meld T ‘n A from a feminist perspective with the insecurities of the average career woman, the supernatural with the metaphysical, and the ultra powerful with the very vulnerable, and he nearly pulls it all together. But you know what they say about coming close and in the end there’s much more of a lingering ho-hum factor than the exhilarating wow factor this should have inspired. Witchblade Volume 5 is worth reading for the artwork alone, but it hasn’t managed to make me see the proverbial light on this series.
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Since the Top Cow Rebirth, we have been wanting to see Sara and Jackie "reunite." Not so they can get together, but so that Sara can confront him and put him in his place. This is a satisfying chapter of the Progeny crossover, and it brings plenty of action in the midst of major internal conflict for Sara. What takes place is a classic fight between the Darkness and the Witchblade, only to end with a feeling of "to be continued later."
This issue is notable for Top Cow fans, as a previously unknown event from the ending of the initial Artifacts mini-series is revealed and makes us question everything we have known thus far. The Top Cow Universe continues to crack under pressure, and Sara is beginning to remember what her life held in the past.
Witchblade 164 is a solid chapter following Artifacts 25 and leading nicely into Darkness 111.
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Love the graphic and story line... the plot has thickens and very excited to see more of the series printing. Beautiful artwork and background in there... Keep it up!
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It came out good and was what I thought it would be like. I just wish it was colorful as I remembered the series to be. But was good to see it again.
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You need to be reading this book! Not only is it free, it is a high-quality story from some seasoned creators.
In this issue, Velocity is still on the run looking for Stryker. She has information about the Aphrodite Protocol along with what she believes is knowledge about how the world will end. Cyberdata is hot on her heels to get her back in control. Oh, it also adds to the intrigue that she is the daughter of the Chairpeople of Cyberdaata.
This issue #3 helps to bind the frenetic pace of 1 and 2 together. The three read together are satisfying and make you ready for 4 and 5.
The artwork is decent, but it's the coloring of Andy Troy that makes it really pop, particularly digitally.
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This book is potentially very good, it depends on how the story develops. The twists on Arthurian names and actual characters here are good, including Merlin, Morgan and Gwen. The best irony is how the son of a wizard became...a scientist! The artwork is very good, also very adult, Texiera-ish with more control. I'm a fan of mysticism and mystery, you name it. Dr. Strange, TV's Merlin, Heroic's the Black Enchantress, Lady Arcane, Marvel's Jennifer Kale, TV's Warehouse 13, Jim Butcher's work. I'll be paying attention to this one.
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Yes! If you are a fan of mysticism and mystery, along with Arthurian legend, then Son of Merlin should be in your collection.
The story is well crafted, with enjoyable action in the first half and needed introductory material in the second half. It's a solid start to this series, and priced just right at under a buck.
The art by Zid is gorgeous, with a realistic, painted style. The storytelling really comes through in this style. It's the right style for a story like this one.
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The Think Tank story continues to evolve with issue #5. There is enough background setup in this book to make it a good jumping-on point, although you will more likely be ready to buy the Volume 1 collection.
There is a new element to the Think Tank story in this issue: a more whimsical humor that comes through, particularly when describing grim details about how DNA can be deconstructed to help identify targets for genocide. It's a grim subject, and Hawkins and Ekedal keep us pushing forward to see the horror that is possible within our own real world.
Top notch book.
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This book wraps up a solid story arc, but I recommend you pick up #161 and #162 to be fully satisfied. While the issue is good and readers can follow it, the story will make more sense with at least the previous issue being read.
I have become a fan of the artwork of Diego Bernard, who has created a nice flow and panels that make sense through the book. The artwork shows movement and subtlety, and he really works hard to set a new standard with rain effects in outdoor scenes. Mainly he does a good job with this, although there are a couple panels of water sheeting that don't work as well as he might want it to. Still, solid art worth the price of the book on its own.
As with most recent Top Cow Universe books, you'll invest some time reading this story. It's nice to get your money's worth in these days of speedy comic reads.
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In this, the most recent issue for the Artifacts line, we see Finch and Dani stumbling through the new universe that Jackie Estacado has created -- but something is wrong. As they explore their relationship with each other, both are unaware that a battle rages on a different front. As the danger increases, Finch -- the new Angelus -- shows us she may not have what it takes to be a bearer.
This story is an important part of the Artifacts storyline because it's a crucial plot point that builds the new narrative. Fast-paced with gorgeous, realistic art, if you're following the series you'll want to see what happens here.
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paul dini's name caught my eye on this title. i've liked pieces he's written in the past.
professional art and coloring, solid writing, a mysterious woman who takes many guises, bio-engineered heroes/villains, cybernetically enhanced humans and an organization that wants to use their talents as assassins. there was enough of a story to tell where the writer is headed. what's not to like?
this is a full issue, unlike many free issues that introduce the concept of the title without giving you a story strong enough to hang your coat on, to hopefully get you to sign up to subsequent issues. You get a chance to make a well informed evaluation/decision.
I liked it. plain and simple.
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This book is engaging, compelling, and skillfully crafted. That's the quick "I only have one sentence" review.
Beyond that, Think Tank vol. 1 is one of the most carefully crafted books I have ever read. Writer Matt Hawkins gives us a technological thriller, made more frightening by the plausibility of the tale. The military has tech and secrets that we can barely dream about. Hawkins gives us a peek into a grim reality that is present, not future.
Artist Rahsan Ekedal is at his best, and his panels compliment the writing very well. You may remember his deeply emotional characters in the Graphic Novel Echoes. He takes a bold forward step with his work in Think Tank.
Your enjoyment of Think Tank is directly proportional to the time you spend reading it. If you can take your time, soak in the words, drink in the art, you will be rewarded.
Think Tank vol. 1 also is a good choice to give to other readers. The story is accessible and short enough to avoid intimidation. I would recommend this book as an engaging escape that'll also influence how you look at the world around us.
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Artifacts continues to be one of the solid monthly books being created. With Artifacts #23, it is the art which takes center stage. Sejic is a master at digital painting, and this issue is a showcase for his remarkable storytelling and striking action scenes. Nobody can render demons in action in the same way, with the same kinetic energy.
In this issue Tom Judge battles a demon both as the Rapture and again as a priest in an exorcism. It is remarkable when Judge actually acts as a priest, and the resulting scene is compelling and intense, despite displaying what seems to be an established ritual.
Enjoyable read, and a feast for the eyes.
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Big fan of the series. Collected it when it first came out and this book is just as great!!! Can't wait to read more issues!!!
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Artifacts #22 begins a new arc with a teaser: a mystic and horrifying tragedy takes place between a priest and a parishioner in a confessional booth. Even though this is a dream in the mind of Tom Judge, can the return of the Magdalena be far behind?
The meat of the story begins with Tom Judge (the Rapture) and Tilly Grimes investigating a ritualistic killing in Washington D.C. Along the way, Tom confronts the workings of hell as the fully enabled Rapture. A lot of action is blended with the mystery here.
This issue has everything that Top Cow does best these days. Well written stories filled with the supernatural, touching on horror, and firmly rooted in the mystery of how this universe came to be. Mix in Stjepan Sejic's gorgeously painted panels, and you have a book worth reading and re-reading.
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