Hollywood Jesus Reviews Angelus #4

The ages long battle between dark and light take center stage in the Top Cow universe. Dani Baptiste, former bearer of the Witchblade, is the new Angelus. The Angelus is a being who chooses a host, and then is locked in a never ending battle with The Darkness (a position currently held by Jackie Estacado). Usually, when Angelus chooses a host, it takes complete control. But with Dani, it’s different, she still has her free will intact. Hopefully this is something that Ron Marz will explore later on in the series.

Read the full review here.
Source: live.hollywoodjesus.com

Impulse Gamer Reviews Velocity #1

Carin finds herself the target of a mad scientist, the only kind who seems to appear in comics, who is somewhat fixated on her and his fixation means bad news for not only Carin but the Cyberforce as well. The narrative takes an interesting approach with the story back tracking and also showing what is going to happen in the future, but these elements are integrated into the story well so they aren’t confusing.

What really helps to make Velocity an enjoyable read is the narration from Taylor. She sounds like a normal young person in the way she talks. It’s a very casual, matter of fact tone like, for instance, the opening pages where she states “I run fast. Actually, I do pretty much everything fast. Dismantle killer cyborgs fast…run fast…jump fast…dodge energy blasts fast. Fast.” She sounds very much like “Yeah I’m a hero now, deal with it because I have” and that’s very much how Carin Taylor is portrayed. The mad scientist is typically mad and his fixation on Carin is almost disturbing, perfect for a villain.

Read the the full review here.
Source: impulsegamer.com

Player Affinity Reviews Angelus #4

This is artist Stjepan Sejic's second pairing with Ron Marz as they also worked on Witchblade. Sejic does a great job of making the two books look distinctly different but equally amazing. His style is colored wonderfully while giving a crisp metal look to everything. Cerberus' design is beautiful as it resembles something out of the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. Really the art is very impressive and probably the strongest element of the issue.

Whether you're a fan of Top Cow or not this book is a solid read and definitely one of the stronger titles written by Marz. It's a must read if you're going to pick up Top Cow's Artifacts as it clearly factors heavily into that story as well.

Read the full review here.
Source: playeraffinity.com

Quarter Bin Reviews Velocity #1

As the story opens, we’re introduced to Carin Taylor, aka Velocity. She’s confident, witty, and most obviously, fast. Velocity’s backstory isn’t terribly important this issue, but Marz gives you just enough of what you need to know in order to get a quick grasp of the character and the world she lives in. The first issue centers around a plot by a jealous scientist who used to work at the company that gave Carin her cybernetic implants, and his plan to destroy her and her Cyberforce teammates with a uniquely programmed virus. By the time Carin finds all of this out though, everyone has already been infected, and has merely an hour left to live, setting up the next three issues, which will all take place within that hour. Don’t worry though, Velocity’s fast. She can make it.

Read the full review here.
Source: thequarterbin.com

Battlemouth Reviews Angelus #4

This issue works pretty well on its own, even though it’s part of a larger series and is currently building towards the massive Artifacts crossover wherein the entirety of the Top Cow universe is going to clash. Ron Marz keeps things light and fast-paced, and avoids getting bogged down in the details of continuity. As someone who’s new to the Top Cow universe, this was a godsend, but there were a few times where I felt a bit lost since the story deals with some heavy mythology.

If this issue does something right, it’s that it made me want to pick up the next issue and it’s even made me consider giving Artifacts a shot. Sometimes, diving in headfirst is the way to go in comics. This time it worked out pretty well for me.


Read the full review here.
Source: battlemouth.com

Graphic Policy Reviews Velocity #1

I’ve been staring at teasers to the cover of Velocity #1, from Ron Marz and Kenneth Rocafort and published by Top Cow, for what seems like months and every time I’ve looked forward to the first issue. There was just something intriguing to the art and the cover, something inviting that made me want to read this issue (I have no idea why I’ve been obsessed with this cover, the last time this happened was NYX #1). But, when I finally got the chance to read the first issue, did it live up to my built up expectations? The answer is a resounding “hell yes!”

The art is fantastic and story has an excellent pace but what stood out to me was the captions/thought bubbles. The voice used for this is fantastic as Carin narrates her own story. It’s a great use of the technique and one you don’t see too often.

Read the full review here.
Source: graphicpolicy.com

Battlemouth Pulls Velocity #1 for the Casual Readers Pull List

I am here to tell you that you don’t have to spend a ton of money to read some good comic books! Sure, there are a ton of books that come out every week, but not all of them are amazing, and not all of them are worth your time if you are on a limited budget. NEVER FEAR! The experts here at Battlemouth (namely myself, Aaron Madrid and also this week Dan Emmons) know which books you should purchase and we are here to share those with you.

The Pilot Season Winner is Back! Carin Taylor is the fastest woman in the world. At least, she’d better be if she wants to save her own life and the lives of her Cyberforce teammates. When a former Cyberdata scientist — and test subject — seeks revenge against the members of Cyberforce, only Velocity can save her friends before the clock literally runs out. Bringing together writer Ron Marz (Witchblade, Angelus) and artist Kenneth Rocafort (Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer) for the first time.

Read the full article here.
Source: battlemouth.com

Hollywood Jesus Reviews Witchblade Vol 7 tpb

The new era of Witchblade featuring the creative team of writer Ron Marz and artist Stjepan Sejic continues! The pair committed to staying on the title until at least issue #150 and their second complete arc together entitled “Crown Heights” is collected in this trade paperback. More importantly, this storyline sets the stage for and leads directly into War of the Witchblades. The volume collects Witchblade #120-#124 plus a cover gallery featuring Stjepan Sejic, Matt Haley, Tyler Kirkham, and plenty of other bonus materials.

Read the full review here.
Source: live.hollywoodjesus.com

Comic News Reviews Angelus #4

Four issues in and Angelus continues to weave a very strong and interesting story. The battle between light and dark comes to a head as the Angelus finds herself in the grip of The Darkness.

Angelus #4 provides us with a battle of light versus dark, a truce, a romance, and a betrayal. Basically all the makings of a great story. Angelus #4 seriously picks up the pace as we draw closer to Top Cows Artifacts crossover event. That’s all I really have to say about the storyline of issue #4, I don’t want to ruin the story for you, I’m sure you understand.

What I will tell you about the book is Stjepan Sejic truly excels in delivering breathtaking artwork. Angelus is one of the best illustrated comic books on the market today. Sejic’s depiction of Cerebrus goes down as the best I have ever seen. Personally, I could take a comic consisting of nothing more than Sejic illustrations, lacking any words and find myself completely satisfied. That is certainly not a knock on the writing skills of Ron Marz as his stories are always engaging, interesting and very entertaining to read and that holds oh so true with this comic book.


Read the full Review here.
Source: comicnews.info

Image Addiction Reviews Angelus #4

If you have not been reading Top Cow’s titles over the last several years you may be unaware of the universe that has been developing, guided by some very creative people. Several years of planning and developing are now unfolding in the pages of titles like Witchblade, Magdalena, the Darkness, Pandora’s Box, and this series – Angelus. They are all building toward the upcoming year-long event called “Artifacts”. The event is almost upon us, and this issue just pushes us one step closer as Dani Baptiste, host of the Angelus, and Jackie Estacado, host of the Darkness, come face-to-face in battle and Sabine comes closer to making her move against the Dani.

Read the full review here.
Source: imageaddiction.net

Ideology of Madness Podcast Talks Ron Marz's Twitter and Reviews Velocity #1 and Angelus #4

You’d think we didn’t talk every week. We had a crazy ton to talk about. From DC’s entry into digital comics, ethics of mail-order, talking about Ron Marz’ Twitter comments from last week, and – oh yes – the week’s comics. Join Aron, Paul, Wayne, and Tim as we crank out an old school epic length podcast!

Hear it here.
Source: Ideology of Madness

Fist Full of Comics Reviews Velocity #1

Well it isn’t exactly a problem since her enhancements have made her a superhero; but they have also made her the target of a former Cyberdata scientist who wants her and the rest of Cyberforce dead. With time running out, Carin Taylor must find a way to save her team before it is too late.
The art work is a joy to look at and it top notch. Kenneth Rocafort (Cyberforce/Hunter Killer) has done a great job with capturing the characters. Rocafort put great detail into all 32 pages of the premiere issue.

Read the full review here.
Source: fistfullofcomics.com

Project Fanboy Reviews Velocity #1

I'm already a huge fan on Kenneth Rocafort so it's no surprise to me that I think I would buy this comic even if it had no dialogue or narration, just Rocaforts art. That's how good I think this book looks. The characters are so well designed and stylized that you know them before you know anything about them. The panels are full of motion and dynamics and the world in the background is beautiful and terrifying at the same time. It's all just uber-interesting to look at.

However, add to that a story by Ron Marz that hits all the right first issue notes in a unique way and you got a comic that is must read in my book. Velocity is an interesting character that I want to know more about and shes got a big bad guy that I want to see what happens with. Its got a great tone, interesting characters, and eye candy art....What more do you need for a great start of a new mini-series?

Read the full review here.
Source: Project Fanboy

Multiversity Comics Reviews Velocity #1

I must really like Ron Marz or something. This week I’m bringing you an advance of the new mini-series starring Cyberforce team member Carin Taylor, otherwise known and Velocity. The winner of last year’s Pilot Season, the series promises to expand on one of Top Cow’s most powerful females without an artifact. What did I think of it? Find out after the cut!


Read the full revire here.
Source: multiversitycomics.com

Newsarama: Top Cow's VELOCITY Runs For Her Life And Others

Today, Top Cow’s resident scarlet-haired speeder Velocity steps into what could be the last race of her life. In the new miniseries Velocity, this Cyberforce member is standing alone as the one person who can save her teammates and adoptive family from a hidden foe with ties to their own origin.

Spoilers ahoy dear readers, for with Velocity #1 in stores now we sat down with series writer Ron Marz to talk about this break-neck first issue and what’s coming up in the series.

Newsarama: The new Velocity series debuts this week, and I must say – I’m impressed. As someone who read the original Cyberforce miniseries back in the day but missed some of their more recent appearances, I love what you’ve done with the character of Velocity.

Ron Marz: It’s hard not to look good with Kenneth Rocafort drawing the book. I’m doing a fun superhero comic, and I’m trying to recapture that sensibility from those early issues of Cyberforce while also looking at the kind of stuff Mark Waid did with The Flash years ago.

Read the full interview here.
Source: Newsarama

Hollywood Jesus Reviews Velocity #1

The best thing about this book, is that if you don’t know anything about the character, Marz gives you enough to find out who she is and what makes her tick. They even take a poke at the idea that if you move your molecules fast enough you can walk through walls. According to Velocity, it’s not true (and this is a girl who can run at Mach 7!). Marz does a great job in telling a story that is easily accessible to all readers.

Read the full review here.
Source: live.hollywoodjesus.com

Comic Vine Reviews Velocity #1

If you have ever wanted to find the female equivalent of Barry Allen, Velocity might be exactly what you have been looking for. She is witty, clever, and sweet- not to mention beautifully illustrated.

The story kicks off with a bang. The best thing about this issue, aside from the breathtaking art, is the fact that Marz seems to have a pretty good idea of the character he is writing.

Read the full review here.
Source: Comic Vine

Image Addiction Reviews Velocity #1

If you’re new to Velocity and to Cyberforce I really think this would be something that would be a great introduction for you. I don’t know how much Cyberforce we’ll get in this miniseries, but it could easily serve as a chance for you to get to know them from Velocity’s perspective. I would recommend picking up the Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer miniseries that recently concluded as this takes place afterwards and is by the same creative team (Writer Mark Waid). For all of you long time fans, like me, I think you’ll enjoy this issue as well. I’m looking forward to what happens as this miniseries progresses.

Read the full review here.
Source: imageaddiction.net

First Comics News Reviews Velocity #1

The first issue of Ron Marz and Kenneth Rocafort’s Velocity miniseries delivers an effective blend of action and exposition. Appropriately for a book about a speedster, it hits the ground running, and while the main conflict doesn’t really begin until the end of the issue, there’s plenty going on in the opening chapter.

Read the full review here.
Source: firstcomicsnews.com

Broken Frontier Reviews Velocity #1

After reading this issue, it’s pretty clear why the Velocity character can survive changing creators’ hands. Even though most of Cyberforce have been getting one-shots during Pilot Season, Velocity stands out from the rest because of the character’s flexibility. Her power is fun and exciting, and her personality is the same. Unlike the rest of Cyberforce, whose powers are really serious and can really only be used to kill, Velocity’s powers have so many applications. She’s also young and lively, so young readers can easily relate to her.

Read the full review here.
Source: Broken Frontier

Player Affinity Reviews Velocity #1

Ron Marz steps up his game with this issue. Sure there's not a lot of dialog and it's mostly Velocity spouting information to the reader that she shouldn't be giving, but it works. It works very well in fact. Velocity as a character doesn't fall into the typically shortcomings of speed characters. She doesn't complain about the world being to slow or how there's never enough time. No, in fact, she touts the fact that she's fast. Marz gives the reader just enough information about Velocity to hook their interest and make them want more.

The art is amazing! Rocafort is one of comics top talents and this issue shows why. Not only does he not simply copy the "big two's" pre-established style for Speedsters, he reinvents it! Now, that's not to say that you won't see a ghost figure or a streak of green, but what he's done is make each panel of Velocity running detailed. She moves fluidly, even when changing directions at the last second. It's very refreshing to follow someone running and not have it all be lines and blurs. Velocity as a character... is beautiful, sexy and strong. Every bit of hair, turn of her body and pose is gorgeous and stunning to look at.

Read the full review here.
Soure: playeraffinity.com

GeekVine Picks Velocity #1 For This Week in Comics

I actually had a pretty tough time this week coming up with just five titles for the column. It really is a very heavy week of comics for me! I did manage to narrow it down to some titles we haven’t mentioned before, but there is one old favorite in the list. Since there were so many books to pick from this week, I did pick a few titles for honorable mentions. Enjoy!

The winner of last year’s Pilot Season contest returns with her own mini-series. Cyberforce was one of my favorite books in the early Image days, and I’m glad to see Velocity, the fastest woman in the Image universe, to some use. Ron Marz has been doing a great job on writing duties for pretty much every Top Cow book, and this mini should prove to be lots of fun; however, I’m making this my pick of the week based solely on the art. Rocafort’s pencils are absolutely amazing!

Read it here.
Source: geekvine.net

Twitter Report: Ron Marz Reflects on Wonder Woman's New Costume

Wonder Woman's new costume was the talk of the Twitter Report feed today. He skirt-and-jacket look from writer J. Michael Straczynski and artist Don Kramer has loads of creators talking, and among them are Ryan Kelly, Tim Seeley, Fred Van Lente and Ron Marz.

Wonder Woman pt. 4: @ronmarz I think Wonder Woman's costume was ripe for a makeover. But don't people usually TAKE OFF their jackets before a fight?
-Ron Marz, Writer ("Green Lantern," "Witchblade")

Read other tweets here.
Source: MTV Splashpage

Battlemouth: I'm in Love with a Girl Called Velocity (Review)

This week Ron Marz and the wonderful folks at Top Cow are bringing back Cyberforce team member, and Pilot Season-winning character, Velocity. Back in 1992, or the “Hootie Age” as I like to call it, Mark and Eric Silvestri created the Cyberforce for Image Comics. Just a year later, Top Cow and MySpace announced the idea for Pilot Season, during which established comic book writers and artists would create a Pilot using pre-existing comic book characters. When the voting concluded and the dust had settled, two characters, both from the Cyberforce series, had emerged the victors. Velocity was always one of the main characters from the series, as the eyes for the reader and sometimes the narrator, so it came as little surprise that she, as well as Cyblade, had come out on top. Now finally, two years after the announcement about the winners, Velocity is getting her book. Velocity is a witty, amusing character that is sure to entertain all variety of comic book fans, regardless of your previous level of familiarity with Cyberforce. The art by Rocafort is brightly coloured and artistically fresh. He brings a nice mix of traditional art with a highly stylized flare that is sure to draw the eye of fans of both styles.

Read the full review here.
Source: battlemouth.com

CBR: Pandora's Box Opens on the Road to Artifacts

Every Artifact within the Top Cow Universe is shrouded in some degree of mystery, but few Artifacts are quite as enigmatic as Pandora's Box.

Currently at the center of its very own miniseries, Pandora's Box is one of the thirteen deadly Artifacts lurking about in the Top Cow Universe, joining the ranks of the Witchblade, the Darkness, the Angelus, the Rapture, the Spear of Destiny, the Glacier Stone, the Ember Stone and the Blood Sword. Although the Artifact itself remains shrouded in mystery, the very provocative name of Pandora's Box is a good indicator that this item holds great destructive potential - potential that could be realized within the pages of "Artifacts," the upcoming 13-issue series written by Ron Marz and illustrated by a team of artists including Michael Broussard. CBR News spoke with Marz and Top Cow publisher Filip Sablik to learn more about Pandora's Box, its ties to the Glacier and Ember Stones, and its overall role in the world of the Artifacts.

According to Marz and Sablik, Pandora's Box itself has ties to the famous legend of its namesake, if only symbolically.

Read the full article here.
Source: CBR

CBR: Marz Runs at Full "Velocity"

Ever since "Velocity" won Top Cow's initial "Pilot Season" competition, fans have eagerly anticipated the Cyberforce speedster's return to the spotlight. That time has finally come in the form of Ron Marz and Kenneth Rocafort's forthcoming "Velocity" miniseries, with the first issue debuting on June 30 - and even though readers will get to enjoy Velocity's company for four issues, the hero herself only has one hour to save the day.

"The majority of the series takes place over an hour, and each page is roughly a minute," Marz told CBR of the premise behind the "Velocity" miniseries. "Some of the first issue sets the gears into motion, and once that happens, at the end of the first issue, we start a countdown - literally a ticking clock on every page from there on out. The set up is that there's a threat that will kill not only her, but the entirety of Cyberforce when an hour elapses. Her mission is to save her teammates and herself and it's relatively impossible for her to do that in an hour, so that's what drives through the rest of the story."

Read the full feature here.
Source: CBR

Broken Frontier Preview: Angelus #4

Top Cow has provided BF with interior previews of Angelus #4, coming to stores June 30, 2010.

Angelus #4
(W) Ron Marz (A) Stjepan Sejic (Cov) Stjepan Sejic

An ARTIFACTS lead-in series!
Casting The Darkness behind her, Dani moves further into the Light to accept her new role as The Angelus. But a familiar adversary is not about to let her and her companion Finch settle into New Orleans without incident! Will Dani see the vipers in her midst before it's too late?

Full Color 32 pages $2.99 limited series

See the full preview here.
Source: Broken Frontier

Newsarama's Best Shots Reviews Velocity #1

Velocity #1
Written by Ron Marz
Art by Kenneth Rocafort and Sunny Gho
Letters by Troy Peteri
Published by Top Cow
Review by Lan Pitts
Click here for preview

"My name is Carin Taylor. Carin with a C instead of a K and an I instead of an E in case you were wondering. Or you can just call me Velocity. I run fast."

There are very few mainstream books out on the market that features a hero without a city to save, without a love interest, without a sidekick, without having to worry about a secret identity, without worrying about holding a job outside your superhero one...yeah, you get the picture. Yet here is Velocity in her own mini-series, and in this first issue at least, it truly is a solo book. It's her against the bad guys. No back up from Cyberforce (not to say they won't show up later in the series) and you really get the feeling it's her against all odds.

Read the full review here.
Source: Newsarama

Twitter Report: Phil Hester's Looking Forward to Man-Thing Awareness Month

You can find out what thinks, who's visiting the ALA conference and which creators are ready for a Man-Thing Awareness Month.

Man-Thing Awareness pt. 1: @jeffparker I'm telling you, Man-Thing Awareness Month is going to be incredible.
-Jeff Parker, Writer ("Agents of Atlas," "Underground")

Man-Thing Awareness pt. 2: @philhester @jeffparker My Man-Thing Awareness Level is preset to orange.
-Phil Hester, Writer/Artist ("Green Arrow," "The Irredeemable Ant-Man")

To see the full Twitter Report for June 29, 2010, go here.
Source: MTV Splashpage

Comic Book Resources Previews Artifacts #1

The Event FIVE Years in the Making!

Thirteen mystical Artifacts, including the Witchblade, the Darkness and others, guide the fate of the Top Cow Universe. For centuries, it's been whispered that bringing together all 13 Artifacts would herald mankind's destruction. But a mysterious figure has been manipulating events, laying plans to put Armageddon into motion. The final phase begins here, with the abduction of Hope, the daughter of Sara Pezzini and Jackie Estacado. What ensues will remake the entirety of the Top Cow Universe, from the Witchblade and the Darkness, to the Angelus, Magdalena, and countless others. Artifacts #1 is the perfect place for faithful readers to see their loyalty pay off, and for new readers to experience the Top Cow Universe.

See the first 5 pages of Artifacts #1 here.
Source: CBR

Scoop Reviews Velocity #1

We’ve enjoyed a lot of comics from Top Cow Productions over the years, going all the way back to the earliest days of Cyberforce and ranging on up through more recent offerings such as Madame Mirage and Hunter-Killer, but it’s been a long time since we liked one as much as Velocity #1.

The story is pretty straightforward, and on the surface it’s fairly traditional superhero stuff: Carin Taylor (Velocity) must race against the clock to save her Cyberforce teammates and herself from former Cyberdata scientist with an axe to grind. Okay, like we said, it sounds pretty basic.

Only, when was the last time you got to read a really, really good, straightforward superhero comic? It’s not the common occurrence it should be.This one is not good; it’s great. It captures the spirit and energy of the title character and sets the stage for what should be a solid limited series.

Writer Ron Marz, artist Kenneth Rocafort and colorist Sunny Gho deserve the credit for this one, which we’ll be recommending to a lot of friends. Rocafort's art has always been great eye candy, but this is good storytelling as well as beautiful images. Very nicely done. Bravo!

Source: Scoop

USA Today Chats with "Artifacts" Creators About Upcoming Series w/ Exclusive 5pg Preview!

In the upcoming 13-issue series Artifacts, writer Ron Marz dives headfirst into the unique mythology that ties together so many of the characters from publisher Top Cow's leading titles.

The story line will explain how 13 ancient, supernatural items (including the Witchblade, the Darkness, Magdalena's Spear of Destiny and the Crown of Angelus), if brought together, could spell the end of the world.

The series launch coincides with next month's Comic-Con in San Diego. Marz and series illustrator Michael Broussard took some time with USA TODAY to discuss Artifacts.

Q: How did the idea for Artifacts come about?

Marz: It came about more organically than most crossover storylines. It wasn't like we sat down and said, 'What's our big 2010 project?' This was driven by story a lot more than it was marketing concerns.

Read the full interview and catch the 5 pages of colors/letters here.
Source: USA Today

Blog@Newsarama: Art Fit for A "Prince"

Over at Ron Marz’s blog, there’s a cool story about Marz and Top Cow artist (and upcoming Velocity partner) Kenneth Rocafort and Rocafort surprising Marz with this piece of art.

“I was stunned, to say the least, both by Kenneth’s generosity and the sheer awesomeness of the piece. Kenneth had offered to do a Dragon Prince piece at the Baltimore Con the previous year, but I figured it’d just be a quickie in my sketchbook at some point. I certainly didn’t expect … this.”

Read the full article here.
Source: Newsarama via Ron Marz

Jazma Online Forum Interviews Sarah Queen

Richard Vasseur inerviews Sara Queen, and they talk shop on the Darkness/ Darkchylde crossover, Kindom of Pain.

Read the interview here.
Source: forums.jazmaonline.com

Messages from Marz: Writing by Gaslight

I write with music on. Always. I’m actually writing this with music on. I need the background noise. For whatever reason, my concentration goes to hell when there’s silence; my mind fixates on the quiet, instead of drifting off to some creative place. So there’s always music, and I’m always searching for more music that will inspire.

The songs tell stories, which has always been my favorite kind of music. The songs breathe life into characters who feel real, which is what any storyteller (me included) wants to do. I’m more interested in the lives of ordinary people, rather than extraordinary ones. That’s probably why Kyle Rayner held more interest for me than Hal Jordan. Not that I didn’t like Hal’s character; I did and I do. But I’m more drawn to the “regular guy,” not the fearless test pilot. There are a lot of regular guys populating The Gaslight Anthem’s songs.

Read the full article here.
Source: ronmarz.com

Comic News: ICv2: Hastings Entertainment Adds Comics

It may not be a true “nationwide” chain, but with Hastings Entertainment adding periodical comics to its product mix in up to 150 stores in 21 states, it’s as close to a true national chain of comic book shops as the U.S. has ever gotten. The Amarillo-based chain sells, buys, resells, and rents a variety of media products including DVDs, video games, pop culture merchandise and music. The decline in CD sales has evidently prompted Hastings to add periodical comics to a product mix that already includes graphic novels—converting space that was previously given over to music to comics..

Read the full article here.
Source: icv2.com

Messages from Marz: "Russian" Translation

Russian Sunset itself landed at Top Cow, with a different artist attached, but not too long before we were going to begin anew on the series, the artist accepted a DC exclusive. No hard feelings at all, it was the right thing for him to do. But it put the series back into limbo, where it presently resides. At some point, though, I fully intend to get it up and running again. I’m thoroughly enjoying all the work-for-hire gigs I’m doing – Witchblade, Magdalena, Angelus, Velocity, Artifacts and a few other things that are still under wraps. But there’s nothing like working on creator-owned projects. You’ll be seeing a few more of them from me in the future.

Read the full article and see the full image here.
Source: ronmarz.com

The Rocafort Files: Have A Cow!

Hey Everyone!

Just a heads-up --we are beginning our 5 week countdown to Comic-Con! We are focusing exclusively on TOP COW characters -- so please send in your suggestion -- you can post them directly in the comments section of this post.

Thanks. Hope to see many of you in San Diego.

Peace.

See the full image here.
Source: therocafortfiles.blogspot.com

Bleeding Cool: The First Hastings Exclusive Cover - Artifacts #1

Earlier this week, Bleeding Cool broke the story of the plan by multi-media store Hastings to massively increase its presence in the comic book direct market, with 127 stores rolling out with Diamond Comic Distribution accounts. But what sway will they have on the market?

Everyone knows that the bigger comic book retailers can often arrange exclusive covers to comics, only sold in their specific outlets.

So when Hastings have 127 outlets, the only question to be answered is, which comic will be first?

And the answer is Artifacts #1 from Top Cow, Here, exclusively, is the first exclusive comics cover to be sold at Hastings. Whichever one is closest to you.

See the image here.
Source: bleedingcool.com

Jazma Online Interviews Randy Queen

Richard Vasseur from Jazma Online interviews Randy Queen. They talk shop about The Darkness Darkchylde crossover, Kingdom of Pain.

Check out the interveiw here.
Source: jazmaonline.com

Newsarama Exclusive Preview: Velocity #1

Velocity #1
(W) Ron Marz (A) Kenneth Rocafort (Cov) Kenneth Rocafort, Chriscross

The Pilot Season Winner is Back!
Carin Taylor is the fastest woman in the world. At least, she'd better be if she wants to save her own life and the lives of her Cyberforce teammates. When a former Cyberdata scientist -- and test subject -- seeks revenge against the members of Cyberforce, only Velocity can save her friends before the clock literally runs out. Bringing together writer Ron Marz (Witchblade, Angelus) and artist Kenneth Rocafort (Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer) for the first time. Featuring two covers by Rocafort and Chriscross (Captain Marvel).

Cover A – Kenneth Rocafort
Cover B - Chriscross

Full Color 32 pages $3.99 limited series


See the full exclusive preview here.
Source: Newsarama

CBR Exclusive Preview: Angelus #4

STORY BY: Ron Marz
ART BY: Stjepan Sejic
COVER BY: Stjepan Sejic
PUBLISHER: Top Cow Productions
COVER PRICE: $2.99
RELEASE DATE: Wed, June 30th, 2010

An ARTIFACTS lead-in series!
Casting The Darkness behind her, Dani moves further into the Light to accept her new role as The Angelus. But a familiar adversary is not about to let her and her companion Finch settle into New Orleans without incident! Will Dani see the vipers in her midst before it's too late?

See the full exclusive preview here.
Source: Newsarama

Newsarama: So... Who IS COMIXOLOGY, The Digital Comics Leader?

One year makes all the difference.

When ComiXology launched its "Comics by ComiXology" iPhone app in July 2009, the company appeared to be one in a crowd of developers. After all, there was more than one way to read a comic on Apple products.

But one year later, and ComiXology is all over the news because of its involvement with Marvel and DC. The two leading publishers have chosen ComiXology as a partner in their digital program, and the company is working with more than 30 other publishers, as well as holding exclusives with more than one creator.

So who is ComiXology? Where did they come from? And what are they up to next?

Read the full article here.
Source: Newsarama

Omnicomic Reviews Magdalena #2

Nothing too crazy takes place in this episode to “wow” us but it seems like that wraps up the introduction issues for Magdalena. Patience is back in uniform and we’ve gotten two good looks at the new enemy. I think part of why I love these titles is the way that putting Ron Marz at the head of the whole Witchblade universe gives them all a similar look and feel. It also allows him to tie them all together and have them make sense in the Artifacts series beginning soon. This particular artifact is interesting only because it involves the actual real-life church and the blood of Christ as its background. How that will coincide with the forces of light in Angelus and evil in the Darkness as primal formative forces in the universe is interesting.

Read the full review here.
Source: omnicomic.com

Bloody Disgusting Previews Magdalena #2

Havent gone to go pick up your own copy of Magdalena #2? Check out this first 6 page preview at Bloody Disgusting, if fighting a cool looking demon and a hot chick panties shot does not see you one, well check your pulse. Check it out, than visit your local comic book store and say "Wheres my Magdalena #2?"

See it here.
Source: http: bloody-disgusting.com

Comics Nexus: Witchblade & the Darkness March to the End in Top Cow's 13-Part Artifacts Epic

Artifacts promises to be Top Cow’s most ambitious art series to date and will weave together story lines from a number of Top Cow titles, including Witchblade, The Darkness, Angelus and Broken Trinity: Pandora’s Box. It has been known that thirteen mystical Artifacts guide the fate of the Top Cow Universe. For centuries, it’s been whispered that bringing together all 13 artifacts would bring upon mankind’s destruction. The series will begin with a mysterious figure who seeks to put Armageddon into motion.
Unique to the mega-series Artifacts will be the fact that the series will be split between three teams, each completing four issues. Marz will reunite with artist Michael Broussard (The Darkness, Unholy Union), who will pencil Artifacts #1-4. The remaining two art teams will be announced in the future. Additionally, a special guest artist will complete the ultimate 13th issue of the series

Read the full article here.
Source: comicsnexus.insidepulse.com

Sequential Tart: Witchblade Scentified

The Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab creates many wonderful scents for all types, with notes you won't find in just any perfume. These are the scents that, good or bad, leave you talking about them and wanting to try more. BPAL was turned again to comic books for inspiration, using two series new to the Lab: Boom! Studios' Irredeemable by Mark Waid and Peter Krause, and Top Cow's Witchblade. The scents based on the Witchblade series have the added bonus of benefiting the Hero Initiative (a federally recognized not-for-profit organization; it helps comic book creators in need of help with health, medical, and quality-of-life situations). That's a double win for us! Wear something intriguing while helping a charitable cause! Plus, these scents could possibly intrigue to learn more about the comics they come from (thus, supporting the creators that way), or, if you're already a fan, open those worlds up to you further.

Source: Sequential Tart

MTV Splashpage: Kristen Stewart Talks Wanted

Back in April, a rumor surfaced that "Twilight" star Kristen Stewart was in the running to play the female lead in a sequel to "Wanted," Timur Bekmambetov's follow-up to the 2008 film based on Mark Millar and J.G. Jones' comic book series.
When MTV News sat down with Stewart during the press junket for "Twilight: Eclipse," we checked in with the actress to find out if there was any truth to the rumor that she'll be following in Angelina Jolie's footsteps alongside returning "Wanted" star James McAvoy.
The original report had Stewart tagged to play a "young, ass-kicking assassin in the Fraternity," and Bekmambetov's top choice to star opposite McAvoy's reluctant assassin, Wesley Gibson. Though she wouldn't confirm or deny the rumor, Stewart did say she'd be interested in doing an action movie — if the right one presented itself, that is.

The Rocafort Files: The Whirlwind

Above we have posted the winner of our recent NARUTO Poll -- Rock Lee! We hope you love the illustration as much as we do -- as always, we would like to thank everyone who voted. Your interest in Kenneth's work and career are truly appreciated, as is the time you invest in taking part in our polls: YOU GUYS ROCK! (Okay, bad pun.)

See the full image here.
Source: therocafortfiles.blogspot.com

The Rocafort Files: The Chosen One

See the full image and many other of Rocaforts sketches at his blog.
Source: therocafortfiles.blogspot.com