Artifact #1 is Techland's Panel of the Week

And I'm hooked. I don't know most of the characters in this book, including Aphrodite here, but the setup is good. I'm sometimes afraid of deep continuity but I always appreciate when a publisher creates a world where all its books coexist. Marvel and DC have sprawling universes, Image has carved a nice little world around Invincible, and now Top Cow will bring together its licenses via the powerful weapons that many of them wield. I'm on board.

Read the full article here. (SPOILER!)
Source: Techland

CBR: TOP COW'S FREE "ARTIFACTS"

There are thirteen Artifacts of indescribable power within the Top Cow Universe. When brought together, these Artifacts will destroy the world. Naturally, that's exactly what writer Ron Marz plans to do in the pages of "Artifacts," a thirteen-issue series set to launch from Top Cow this July. Marz and Top Cow Publisher Filip Sablik describe "Artifacts" as both a payoff for longtime Top Cow readers and a ground floor for new fans, with the story following Witchblade-bearer Sara Pezzini and Darkness host Jackie Estacado as they search for Hope, their missing daughter.

While the seeds for "Artifacts" have been planted in several other titles including "Angelus" and "Broken Trinity: Pandora's Box," Top Cow's first official installment in the event hits stands on Free Comic Book Day with "Artifacts" #0, a prologue chapter designed to familiarize readers with the core premise of the thirteen Artifacts. The story unfolds as Aphrodite IV, a green-haired cybernetic assassin, meets an unseen narrator with intimate knowledge of the Top Cow Universe's thirteen Artifacts — a collection of deadly items that this antagonist wants to bring together for currently unknown reasons.

CBR News caught up with Marz and Sablik to discuss their goals in designing "Artifacts" #0 for Free Comic Book Day, the specific plot threads of the issue, and the event's core focus on two parents desperate to find their child.

CBR: While Top Cow has been building up to "Artifacts" for quite a while, this Free Comic Book Day issue is the first official entry into the proper "Artifacts" story. Given that, what were some of your goals going into "Artifacts" #0?

RON MARZ: If it's a zero issue, to me, it should be an absolute ground floor here's-everything-you-need-to-know issue. I know that sometimes zero issues come out and they aren't quite that, but for my purposes, I wanted this to appeal to our current readers in that we're continuing the story of Aphrodite IV in "Artifacts" #0, so we see what's happened to her after her current appearance in "Witchblade."

But more than that, the concern was to really explain what the whole Artifacts concept is to everybody else that might not be reading "Witchblade," "Darkness" or "Magdalena." I tried to come up with a story that integrated that information, hopefully somewhat gracefully, into a story rather than just presenting this stuff as encyclopedia entries.

Read the full interview here.

Source: CBR

Sunny Jhanna: Witchblade #134

Issue #134 guest stars Aphrodite IV, who looks great in that black suit Stjepan Sejic drew her in. Aphrodite IV had already been seen in Witchblade a few moths ago, and this time she is back with a vengeance. This issue is the first part of the Almost Human story arc, which seems to revolve around Aphrodite IV. As Sara tries to determine who she is, more and more information is revealed, and different elements from the old Top Cow universe are brought back in a neat an interesting way along with some newer characters, such as Argent from Hunter/Killer. More on this soon!

Source: Sunny Jhanna

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Flames Rising Reviews Witchblade #134

A new three-part arc is launching on Witchblade, featuring the assassin who (apparently) attacked Sara Pezzini earlier in the series: Aphrodite IV. The green-haired, probably mechanical assassin is hunting a fleeing scientist for a shadowy organization, and after a witness sees her get shot by a space ship that then disappears, Special Cases is called in to investigate. Sara and Gleason hit a lot of dead ends with their attempts to figure out either the weaponry or where their quarry may have gone until Sara recalls a mysterious contact: Argent. After a chatty phone call in which much is revealed (except for Argent’s real identity), Sara decides to go solo and investigate on some leads without calling to let Gleason know where she’s headed.

Issue #134 doesn’t have the same kind of draw that the first issue of “War of the Witchblades” had, possibly because it’s just not as large an event in the universe. The three-part arc is mostly a guest-star showcase, I suspect, but there are really nice things about this issue worth mentioning. First: Sara Pezzini is back in jeans. She’s wearing street clothes and acting like a cop rather than being fully immersed in the power of the Witchblade (until her solo mission near the end of the issue). The panel work and art by Sejic is, as usual, superior, and Marz provides him with good material for showing not only action, but emotion. Sara and Gleason are recovering from the set-backs their relationship suffered when Sara was overwhelmed by Darkness, and it’s great to see a smile on Sara’s face in some panels. There’s also a wonderful moment at the precinct where Sara flips off a chatty parrot that they haven’t gotten around to getting rid of.

Read the full review here.

Source: Flames Rising

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Comic Book Revolution Reviews Witchblade #135

I have yet to review Witchblade for the Revolution and that’s just wrong of me, since Witchblade has been one of the best reads each month. I jumped onboard with #116 in 2008 and haven’t looked back, each month getting a great fun read and loving it. Ron Marz has taken the series and turned it into a thing of magic, add Stjepan Sejic being a timely artist with gorgeous art and you’ve got a great series.

Story Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 8.5 Night Girls out of 10

Final Comments: Witchblade really is one of the best reads each month for me and I highly recommend it if you’re looking for great action, great characters and gorgeous art. This arc continues the trend of being a fun read that shouldn’t be missed out.

Read the full review here.

Source: Comic Book Revolution

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GeekWeek Reviews Witchblade #135

Witchblade #135 is a battle issue and I love me some battle issues. Comics break down into three types: plot issues, shocker issues and battle issues. Witchblade 135 starts out as a catfight between Witchblade and an automated robot assassin that looks like a supermodel. Their battle morphs into a team up against pissed off super robots. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a shallow issue and a few plot points are met but for the most part Witchblade#135 is pure action.

Top Cow continues to put out top-notch stuff dealing with the world of fantasy and the long running Witchblade is no exception. There is a nice balance between the real world we can identify with and the fantasy world we want to be part of. Witchblade is also an adult book, a mature fantasy tale for people looking for something outside of caped superheroes. It once again proves that comic books are a legitimate art form that has long outgrown the stigma of being kid stuff.

Read the full review here.

Source: GeekWeek

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Omnicomic Reviews Witchblade #134-135

I am still digging the 3D digital art and it’s got an almost cell shaded look to it. As always, Sara is a total badass when she kicks into full on Witchblade mode. The cyborgs clearly need to have Zombieland put into their code for training because one of them shoots Sara point blank and then stops. Let’s just say he should have at least double tapped, if not more, and it will never get the chance to repeat the error.

Read full review here.

Source: Omnicomic

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Quarter Bin Reviews Witchblade #135

In part one of “Almost Human”, the Witchblade bearer came face to face with Aphrodite IV, a super-strong, indestructible cyborg woman with green hair. In part two, the story delves right into the action, with plenty of robots and gunfire.

Sejic’s art is remarkable, as always. In addition to his great art style, it’s the small touches on certain pages that really make me stop and look. For example, early on, there’s a large panel of Sara and Aphrodite stopped in mid-fight, and there’s an air of innocence in the picture not often seen near either of them. Seconds later, the shit hits the fan, bullets are flying, and the Witchblade is out in full force. It’s an interesting contrast, and just another reason why I enjoy all of Stjepan Sejic’s work in the Top Cow universe.

This is a great issue for Ron Marz, too. In addition to giving us great lines like “I don’t care if you are just R2-D2 with nice tits…”, Marz nicely moves issue #135 from the action-packed first pages to the slower paced middle of the story, and then back again. He also managed to bring a bit of humanity into Aphrodite IV, who previously seemed to be nothing more than a super android in the body of an attractive female.

Witchblade #135 does a good job of furthering the story, making Aphrodite more interesting, and setting up the climax of this particular arc. See what happens when the issue hits comic store shelves today.

Source: Quarter Bin

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Cosmic Book News Reviews Witchblade #135

Cosmic Book News reviews out this week comic, Witchblade #135.

For a couple of months now I have been crowing about Top Cow Comics, specifically "Witchblade" and "Angelus." Specifically, I was blown away by the art of Stjepan Sejic, a man who should be ground "Comics Next Break Out Artist."

However, in "Witchblade" #135, writer Ron Marz steals the show. He reminds comic book readers why he was at one time a break out writer and why he has made a name for himself in this industry.

Read the review here.

Source: Cosmic Book News

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Best Shots Reviews Witchblade #135

Witchblade #135 (Published by Top Cow Comics; Review by Lan Pitts): For the first part of this issue, I thought I was reading a Saber Rider adaptation. Top Cow is a mix of supernatural books (for what they are most known for) and sci-fi/cyber-realm books that emphasize superheroics via technology. This issue was a good mix of both visions with Witchblade teaming up with Aphrodite IV. Writer Ron Marz constructed a pretty good middle of the arc issue here, with a recap page just in case you missed the previous installment. Stjepan Sejic's art is better looking to me when he's dealing with more of the metal and gears side of things in comparison to his take on more fantasy elements. I don't know much about Aphrodite IV, but there's enough interest where I want to learn more. Plus, who doesn't love robot on robot violence?

Source: Newsarama

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Graze Anatomy: Aphrodite Contemplative

This sketch gave me a bit of trouble. I knew what I wanted to show in my head, which was Aphrodite IV in quiet reflection after a kill, but it never quite came together. Aw, well. That's the thing with sketches. Sometimes they work and sometimes they don't. Hope you enjoy it anyway.

See more Aphrodite IV in Witchblade #135, in stores this week!

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Digital Spy: Aphrodite IV returns to Top Cow universe

Android femme fatale Aphrodite IV has returned to the Top Cow universe in the pages of its Witchblade comic.

The character first appeared in David Finch and David Wohl's Aphrodite IX and has gone on to feature in several Top Cow titles. She re-emerges in the ongoing plotline 'Pantheon' by writer Ron Marz and artist Stjepan Sejic.

In an interview with CBR, Mars provided an overview of the character's arc. "I think Aphrodite IV is still a work in progress," he said. "In the Aphrodite IX miniseries, there were issues of her maybe not understanding where she came from and all of that stuff.

"To my mind, the real story here is the evolution of the character from IV to IX and how you start putting the pieces in place to show that. For one, the Aphrodite IV model is not as advanced as IX. She's still learning about herself. We didn't want to do the Pinocchio cliché of an artificial life form that wants to be human."

Aphrodite IV makes an appearance in Witchblade #134, available in stores now. She will next feature in Witchblade #135, released on March 17.

Source: Digital Spy

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Graze Anatomy: Aphrodite in Shadow

More Aphrodite IV goodness coming in from Stjepan Sejic today and it inspired this experimental sketch of our emerald assassin. I was playing with shadows and interesting lighting coming off her visor.

Witchblade #135 in stores on March 3rd.

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CBR: Aphrodite IV Returns To "WITCHBLADE"

Once upon a time in "Witchblade" lore, Detective Sara Pezzini encountered a green-haired cybernetic assassin that had only one purpose in life - beating the ever-living snot out of Sara.

Now, after a 15 issue absence, the android femme fatale Aphrodite IV is back in the pages of Ron Marz and Stjepan Sejic's "Witchblade," and although her purpose doesn't involve Sara at all this time around, fans can bet that the Witchblade bearer will have a bone or two to pick with the returning assassin. CBR News spoke with Marz about Aphrodite's return to the Top Cow Universe, the differences between her and her future counterpart, and why readers seemingly can't get enough of this deadly character.

Although the character first appeared in David Finch and David Wohl's "Aphrodite IX," the protagonist of that miniseries was actually a future version of the one that Marz ultimately brought into the Top Cow herd. "The 'Aphrodite IX' miniseries from a few years ago, story-wise, it didn't make a whole lot of sense to me," the writer told CBR. "I wasn't really sure what was what and where it was all going. So I initially brought an earlier version, Aphrodite IV, into the last couple of pages of my last 'Cyberforce' issue, and when I had a chance, I brought that same model into the pages of 'Witchblade.' I had a good time doing it and the readers really responded - we sold out of that issue real fast - so there's obviously an interest in the character."

Read the full article here.

Source: CBR

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Graze Anatomy: Aphrodite IV

Making trouble in Witchblade currently, this green-haired assassin is sporting Stjepan Sejic's current "silver bodysuit" look. Pretty cool.

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Cosmic Book News Reviews Witchblade #134. Out in Stores Today!

In issue #134, Det. Sara Pezzini, the bearer of the Witchblade gauntlet, is on the hunt for a green-haired cyborg assassin (she looks like a cross between something from "Jem and the Holograms" and the movie "Robocop"). While she is hunting the assassin, called Aphrodite IV, she runs across Argent, from Top Cow's "Hunter Killer" series, and there are even touches of the recent Cyber Force Hunter Killer mini-series, not to mention plot points from the Angelus series.

Simply, if you are not getting either Witchblade or Angelus, you are missing out on some amazing stories!

They are more than worth the cover price.

Read the full review here.

Source: Cosmic Book News

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Quarter Bin Reviews Witchblade #134

Witchblade #134 hits stores tomorrow, and Quarter Bin has done an advanced review on the title:

Once again the super team of Ron Marz and Stjepan Sejic do a great job bringing this series to life. I really can’t imagine liking this series as much as I do if they weren’t working on it. Since this is the first issue in a three-issue story arc, there wasn’t a ton of action, but I think that will change right away when the next one comes out.

Witchblade #134 will be in comic shops this Wednesday, January 27. Since it’s the start of a new storyline, it makes a good jumping on point for new readers.

Read the entire review here.

Source: Quarter Bin

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Project Fanboy Advanced Review: Witchblade #134

Title: Witchblade #134
Rating:

A cybernetic assassin is on the loose and the only clue Witchblade Sara Pezzini has is some large caliber bullet shells. Much like James Cameron, writer Ron Marz populates Witchblade with some high action tough women. His characters call back to the likes of Ellen Ripley and Sarah Connor, and even though objectively nothing much happens in this issue, it moves forward at a good pace.

He cuts back and forth between a couple of plot lines but never losses sight of his characters or there motivations. He has the ability to fill his pages with quite a bit of talking, but it never becomes a chore to read and always adds to the depth of the book. He writes a very interesting world of high tech cyber intrigue with mysterious characters and mysterious motivations. This is issue is set up...but somehow it is very satisfying and filling.

The art duties are all taken care of by Stjepan Sejic and in his capable hands this book is great looking. His page layouts are clean and simple but have room and touches of experimentation with panel layouts. His most effective attribute is his coloring style. Everything in this book really pops, its bright and vibrant and the color pallet is all over the place in a good way.

It's a simple set up issue but it's done really well and the writer and artist come together to make what is basically exposition really filling.

Source: Project Fanboy

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Comic Box Reviews Witchblade #134 (in French)

For the Francophones, Comic Box has done an advanced review of Witchblade #134 en français, naturellement:

Witchblade #134 [Top Cow]
Scénario de Ron Marz
Dessin de Stjepan Sejic
Sortie aux USA le mercredi 27 janvier 2010

« Almost Human » semble être destiné à permettre à Witchblade d’explorer plus avant le côté « techno » de l’univers Top Cow, ce dernier étant d’habitude un tantinet bicéphale. En générale les séries « gothiques » (Darkness, Witchblade, Angelus…) ne mentionnent l’autre pole, celui lui à Cyberforce, que du bout des lèvres. Ici, cette séparation ne tient plus et on trouve en l’espace de quelques pages des mentions de Cyberdata ou même de Hunter-Killer. Bref, Ron Marz tire pleinement partie de l’univers créé par Marc Silvestri et ce n’est pas plus mal (sans parler que cela permet de se changer les idées après de nombreux mois où les menaces mystiques ont dominé la série). Au dessin Stjepan Sejic reste égal à lui même, avec le souci, toujours, de rendre ses textures de plus en plus réaliste. Sur certaines pages cela peut faire un peu diversion car à force de représenter avec le souci du détail des chevelures vaporeuses ou des fourrures, l’effet final parait parfois comme « flouté ». Reste que Ron Marz dirige une nouvelle fois son navire de façon intéressante, refusant de limiter son titre à une seule région de Top Cow et construisant ainsi un vrai contexte partagé, qui restait très théorique jusqu’à ces dernières années.

To read the rest, go here.

Source: Comic Box

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ComicVine Video Reviews Witchblade #134

ComicVine's G-Man gave Ron Marz and Stjepan Sejic's Witchblade #134, where Aphrodite IV, makes an appearance a 4.5 rating out of 5. Go here to check out the video!

Source: ComicVine

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