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

---

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

---

Parka Reviews The Art of Top Cow

The Art of Top Cow's 320-page volume collects some of the best work from Top Cow. There's art from Witchblade, The Darkness, Cyberforce, Aphrodite, The Magdalena, Hunter-Killer, Universe, Weapon Zero and other smaller titles.

If you read Top Cow comics, you should know of the quality of art. The illustrations are reproduced brilliantly in high resolution showing all sorts of detail down to the minute brush strokes. There's no commentary but every illustration is credited. Some of them also come with the pencil sketches and layout before the inking stage.

The impressive lineup of artists whose work are featured, just to name a few, are Marc Silvestri (who drew the cover), Michael Turner, David Finch, Frank Cho, John Cassaday, Greg Horn, Jim Lee and many more. The work from them are really top notch — the colouring, line art, design, etc.

READ MORE.

---

Wizard Magazine Includes Top Cow in their Decade Issue

Wizard Magazine has included Top Cow in their Decade Issue out this month.

---

MTV's Splash Page reports on Aphrodite IX film news

3-D continues its comeback today with the announcement that the Top Cow seres “Aphrodite IX” has been picked up by Threshold Entertainment. First Henry Selick fervently stuck to 3-D for filming Neil Gaiman’s “Coraline,”, then the makers of NBC’s “Chuck” launched a post-Super Bowl event this year by broadcasting an episode in 3-D — and now Top Cow’s green-haired femme fatale appears to be next. “This is just the kind of franchise we love: a visually stunning world, amazing effects, a great story and a hot, kick-ass babe in the lead,” Threshold’s Larry Kasanoff told The Hollywood Reporter. “What could be better?”

READ MORE.

---

Newsarama Aphrodite IX film news

Announced to be in consideration for a feature film a couple of years back, Top Cow’s Aphrodite IX looks to finally be moving forward, this according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Together with Threshold Entertainment and Platinum Studios, Top Cow is looking to adapt the Aphrodite IX comic into a 3-D feature film. The story of Aphrodite IX centers on a green-haired cyborg assassin who becomes self-aware, and thus begins a search for her origins. While the original comic was set in the future the character has recently been more deeply incorporated into the Top Cow Universe with its precursor, Aphrodite IV making an appearance in Witchblade. The character first appeared in 1996 and was written by David Wohl with art by David Finch.

READ MORE.

---

Aphrodite IX Pulled From Pilot Season Promotion!

Top Cow Productions announced today a change in their line up for the Pilot Season promotion. Pilot Season puts fans in control of Top Cow’s 2008 publishing plans by allowing them to vote on which two pilot issues receive their own series.

Pilot Season now consists of five self-contained pilot issues starring Ripclaw, Cyblade, Velocity, The Necromancer, and The Angelus. Aphrodite IX, originally slated to be the final book in November, has been pulled from the line up by the publisher. The publisher has future plans for the property but stated it will not appear in this year’s Pilot Season promotion. Fans can sign up at www.myspace.com/pilotseason to receive regular updates and in December will be able to vote on their favorite Pilot Season property. The top two vote getters will receive their own series in 2008. Ripclaw Pilot Season #1 and Cyblade Pilot Season #1 are currently in stores.

“The decision to cancel Aphrodite IX Pilot Season was a tough one,” explained Matt Hawkins, President of Top Cow, “The issue wasn’t coming together in a way that would work for Pilot Season. We didn’t want to risk delaying the voting process for Pilot Season or releasing a pilot issue we weren’t completely happy with, so the responsible thing to do was to remove it from the promotion. Fans haven’t seen the last of Aphrodite IX though.”

Additional information regarding Pilot Season can be found at the official website - http://www.myspace.com/pilotseason.

---

San Diego fans Witchblade & Aphrodite IX

Seth Green hangs out with Witchblade and Aphrodite IX at the Top Cow Booth in San Diego.

---

APHRODITE IX in LEGENDARY COMIC BOOK HEROES WAVE 3

Aphrodite IX blasts her way into LEGENDARY COMIC BOOK HEROES - WAVE 3 Coming soon.




for more info go to : http://www.wizarduniverse.com/magazine/toyfare/005368080.cfm

---