ComicVine's Witchblade News: HOPE IS LOST!

Let's just get this out of the way, if you're not reading Witchblade, you really need to start. I have been consistently enjoying the book month after month since Ron Marz started writing. You might be aware that Sara Pezzini gave birth to a child, Hope, in 2007's First Born. Hope was the result when the Darkness and Witchblade...well, let's just say Hope has an interesting back story.

While things have been relatively calm for Hope, it looks like something is about to happen. We just received word from Top Cow. A search has begun for the missing child.

Help spread the word. Keep a lookout for her. If you see her or have any information, be sure to post a comment and we can get word to either Sara Pezzini or Top Cow.

Source: ComicVine

---

Newsarama Is Offering Ron Marz/Ryan Sook's Full MAGDALENA Story for FREE!

Yesterday, Newsarama spoke with writer Ron Marz about the new ongoing Magdalena series from Top Cow. The descendant of Christ isn't quite playing nice with her elders this time around, though.

During, the interview, they came across this:

Nrama: Previous to this you did a short story about Magdalena in First Born: Aftermath which showed Patience coming to grips with her decision to leave the Catholic Church. That was a good transition point -- and great art by Ryan Sook no less. Any chance to see that story reprinted to get people in the zone for this?


Marz: That's one of my favorite stories from my career, thanks to Ryan's insanely great art on it. I want to get that story in front of as many people as possible, since it really sets the tone for the series. Hopefully we can get it online or find some other way to release it widely.

Well, Ron, and Fans, you ask, and we answer. Here it is, Ron Marz and Ryan Sook's entire story, presented here to all of you for free.

The First Born/Broken Trinity Deluxe hardcover collects all three issues of First Born, as well as the Harvey Award-winning tie-in issues of Witchblade #110-112. This edition also features the previously uncollected First Born: Aftermath, making the entirety of the First Born epic available in a single volume for the first time. This edition also collects all three issues of Broken Trinity as well as the three tie-in issues featuring the Darkness, Angelus, and Witchblade, and Broken Trinity: Aftermath. Ships in a shrink-wrapped slipcase, with a 24"x36" poster inserted. Hard cover features a wraparound dustcover with an original image by Stjepan Sejic and a lineart poster image printed on the inside dust cover by Kenneth Rocafort.

448 pages, Full Color, Slip-cased Hardcover

Read the full first issue here.

Source: Newsarama

---

Comic Attack: Top Cow’s Ron Marz talks Artifacts, Magdalena, and more

Ron Marz has been firing on all cylinders since arriving at Top Cow to pen their flagship title Witchblade, bringing a much needed different approach that has fans emptying shelves and wanting more! Not to mention his great work on First Born, Broken Trinity, Angelus, and the upcoming Artifacts, which will be Top Cow’s summer cross-over event spanning 13 issues! Between all of this and working on his creator-owned projects, I consider myself a little fortunate that he took time out to to chat with ComicAttack.net!

Comic Attack: Witchblade was most commonly known for its T&A that had some action and some fantasy elements in the story. However, since you’ve come along Sara has evolved and matured, developing into a character whom people take seriously. Was this something you focused on or just a natural progression of the story?

Ron Marz: No, that was my intention from the beginning. I didn’t have any interest in writing stories that were excuses for Sara’s clothes to fall off, and I said that when I was offered the job. But Top Cow was completely supportive in moving the book in a much more story-driven direction. It’s been that way ever since I took over, and I’ve got 55 issues in a row under my belt now.

CA: Was Dani always the choice for the Angelus, or were there other possibilities before narrowing it down to her?

RM: Dani was always going to be the Angelus, from the first time readers ever set eyes on her, which was Witchblade #100. So bringing her along, and eventually giving her the Angelus mantle, was a story that was three years in the making. Knowing that you’re staying on a title long-term gives you the creative luxury to do long-term storylines.

Read the full interview here.

Source: Comic Attack

---

Broken Frontier: Marz & Smith Talk First Born/Broken Trinity Hardcover

The First Born/Broken Trinity Deluxe Hard Cover reprints the story of First Born, which explores the conflict between the forces of Light and Dark as New York City Police Office Sara Pezzini prepares to give birth to her first child. Desiring to tip the power balance in their own favor, the forces of Light and Dark covet the offspring of the Witchblade bearer! Broken Trinity acts as a thematic bookend, when a new Angelus bearer rises and two brand new Artifact bearers make their first appearance in the Top Cow Universe. With new players on the board upsetting a delicate balance, a Trinity will be broken and one bearer will die. Top Cow announced that they will be expanding the deluxe edition hard cover containing Broken Trinity to include First Born.

The hardcover will now contain both crossover miniseries collecting all three issues of Broken Trinity, the three tie-in issues featuring The Darkness, Angelus, and Witchblade, and Broken Trinity: Aftermath, all three issues of First Born, Witchblade #110–112. The hard cover also reprints the previously uncollected First Born: Aftermath, making the entirety of the First Born epic available in a single volume for the first time.

BROKEN FRONTIER: The First Born hardcover was originally (June 2009) thought up as a collection of the three FB-issues and the three Witchblade tie-ins for 100 USD and some thought that was pretty much for only 6 issues and less then 200 pages. There was some confusion in regards to the content. Later on it changed to include Broken Trinity and its spin-off one-shots and is now totaling 400 pages. Can you tell us something about that decision?

Ron Marz: Hey, man, I just write the stuff! Don't ask me the production details!

Phil Smith II: Filip Sablik came up with the idea to combine both stories together in one volume. Collecting the two biggest story lines of the Top Cow Universe (to date) in a single volume made for a good idea and justified its price point. It just made sense to reward the fans with more value and content.

Read the complete interview on Broken Frontier.



Source: Broken Frontier

---

Ron Marz's Tweets Cited In Splash Page's Twitter Report

@ronmarz Much Witchblade writing this week ... but first, proofing 400+ pages for the limited, slipcased "First Born/Broken Trinity" hardcover.

-Ron Marz, Writer ("Green Lantern," "Witchblade")

READ MORE.

---

Top Cow Expands the Broken Trinity HC

Top Cow Productions, Inc. proudly announced today that they will be expanding the deluxe edition hard cover containing Broken Trinity to include First Born. The limited edition volume will now contain both epic crossover miniseries that forever altered the course of the Top Cow universe. Presented in a new oversize prestige format, the 352 page First Born/Broken Trinity Deluxe Hard Cover collects all three issues of Broken Trinity, the three tie-in issues featuring The Darkness, Angelus, and Witchblade, and Broken Trinity: Aftermath. In addition, the collection will now also include all three issues of First Born as well as the Harvey Award winning tie-in issues of Witchblade #110–112. The hard cover also reprints the previously uncollected First Born: Aftermath, making the entirety of the First Born epic available in a single volume for the first time.

READ MORE.

---

Another First Born AFTERMATH preview

You only thought First Born was over! Coinciding with the release of the First Born collected edition, a pair of all-star creative teams join forces for two tales that pick up very literally from the ashes of First Born, and set the stage for coming events in the Top Cow Universe in this oversized special. READ MORE.

---

PREVIEW : FIRST BORN AFTERMATH

Check out this exclusive preview of Ron Marz and Ryan Sook's Magdalena story from this event spinoff one-shot!

We're probably going to hell for this opener, but man, does this nun look good or what?

Of course, we're not talking about a REAL penguin; we're referring to Top Cow's warrior priestess Magdalena, the demon-hunting, vampire-killing agent of the Vatican. And she looks so good because she's being drawn by none other than Ryan Sook, the artist behind the covers on DC's recent wave of 80-Page Giant specials and the Countdown promo ads, who teams with superstar writer Ron Marz (Witchblade) for this supernatural thriller that spins off from the recently wrapped "First Born" event. READ MORE.

---

TOP COW ANNOUNCES FIRST BORN: AFTERMATH

To coincide with the release of First Born trade paperback, Top Cow Productions will release First Born: Aftermath in March. The special one-shot issue will serve as an epilogue to the 2007 event and set the stage for events in Witchblade, The Darkness, and the Top Cow Universe as a whole. CLICK HERE

---

Malaysia Star notes First Born in Comics Year in Review

Malaysia Star notes First Born in Comics Year in Review CLICK HERE

---

First Born # 3 Reveiw

First Born #3 brings the mini-series to a close and yet the story is just beginning. Sara Pezzini, the previous Witchblade wielder is due to have her baby at any moment. She has fled to a secret mob safe house deep beneath the surface along with The Darkness, Danielle Baptiste (the new Witchblade) and The Magdelena who remains a bit conflicted over which side of the war to be on…the side with the Darkness or with the Angelus. CLICK HERE

---

FIRST BORN 3 REVIEW

First off…this review is one week late…it’s that old saying about the best laid plans and all…better known as sometimes $%&* happens! First Born #3 brings the mini-series to a close and yet the story is just beginning. Sara Pezzini, the previous Witchblade wielder is due to have her baby at any moment. CLICK HERE

---

First Born #3 review

First Born #3 (of 3) Review by Chris Partin
I've stated a few times in the past that I have this secret love for Top Cow comics. I have always enjoyed them ever since the very first issue of Cyberforce. There has just been something about the stories and the characters and the artwork that has drawn me to them and kept me on board as a reader and most importantly a fan. Having been a long time reader and fan I will admit there have been some down times. CLICK HERE

---

IN STORES THIS WEEK

Dark Sector Zero
(W) David Wohl (A) Bill Sienkiewicz (Cov) Bill Sienkiewicz

Created by Digital Extremes, Dark Sector is a new and original action-thriller video
game. Enter the world of Hayden Tenno, a black ops agent sent on a mission into Lasria, an Eastern European city that hides a deadly secret. Attacked by an unknown enemy, he awakens infected but granted with inhuman abilities. Now, Hayden must learn to evolve, survive and become a hero.
Written by acclaimed creator David Wohl (Witchblade, Aphrodite IX) and illustrated by living legend Bill Sienkiewicz (Elektra: Assassin, Moon Knight), this special prequel provides an unseen look into the hit game.
Visit DarkSector.com for more information!

One Shot 32 pages $2.99 CLICK HERE




First Born #3
(W) Ron Marz (A) Stjepan Sejic (Cov) Stjepan Sejic

First Born culminates as the battle between the forces of Light and Dark reaches a fever pitch. And in the final issue of this summer’s hottest event – the birth of Sara Pezzini’s child! Writer Ron Marz (Ion, Samurai: Heaven & Earth) and digital painter Stjepan Sejic (The Darkness: Level 1, Witchblade) deliver the ultimate conclusion and set up events for the next thrilling year to come including The Darkness ongoing series.
First Born #3 features two covers by series artist Stjepan Sejic.

Cover A) Stjepan Sejic
Cover B) Stjepan Sejic

Full Color 32 pages $2.99 Limited Series CLICK HERE



Madame Mirage #3 WizardWorld Texas Variant Cover
(W) Paul Dini (A) Kenneth Rocafort (Cov) Kenneth Rocafort

Award-winning writer Paul Dini (DC's Countdown, Lost) and hot new talent Kenneth Rocafort (Hunter-Killer) answer the question - "Who is Madame Mirage?"
A locked room, two deadly adversaries, and one loaded gun between them. Madame Mirage finds herself in a life or death duel with ASI's most skilled assassin, and the only way out is for one to kill the other. While the fatal drama unfolds, shocking secrets are revealed about our heroine's past, radically changing the direction of the series and everything you think you know about the mysterious Mirage.

Full Color 32 pages $10.00 continuing series CLICK HERE



Witchblade #111 WizardWorld Texas Variant Cover
(W) Ron Marz (P) Luke Ross (I) Kevin Nowlan (Cov) Mike Mayhew

Now available in a extremely limited edition by Michael Broussard (The Darkness). This edition is limited to 1000 copies.
A tie-in to the epic First Born summer event! Rookie Witchblade bearer Dani Baptiste is unprepared as servants of the Angelus are closing in on her. But there's no reason not to trust the good guys, right? This issue will provide fans with a fuller reading experience and lead directly into next month's First Born #2!
Long time scribe Ron Marz (Ion, Samurai: Heaven & Earth) is joined in the second of three very special First Born tie-in issues by the unstoppable art team of Luke Ross (Samurai: Heaven & Earth), Kevin Nowlan (Batman: Black & White, Superman v. Aliens) and cover artist Mike Mayhew (Vampirella, The Pulse).

Full Color 32 pages $10.00 continuing series CLICK HERE

---

Review link for First Born #3 and Dark Sector Zero

First Born culminates as the battle between the forces of Light and Dark reaches a fever pitch. And in the final issue of this summer's hottest event - the birth of Sara Pezzini's child! Writer Ron Marz (Ion, Samurai: Heaven & Earth) and digital painter Stjepan Sejic (The Darkness: Level 1, Witchblade) deliver the ultimate conclusion and set up events for the next thrilling year to come including The Darkness ongoing series. CLICK HERE

---

First Born #3 review on Newsarama

I do not follow Top Cow. I’ve had a couple occasional books from the imprint/production company, but with how involved I already am with the big two, and the far off the beaten path indies, the guys in the middle are often forgotten. I know tiny bits and pieces about this universe they’ve crafted, but this is the first real taste I’ve gotten. CLICK HERE

---

First Born #3 review on Comicvine

This series manages to deliver. (Sorry about that). We do get to see Baby Pezzini. I'll admit I wondered how this would end. Would Top Cow actually give Sara a baby. Do they really want to go in that direction? CLICK HERE

---

Jazma Online Reviews First Born #2, #3 plus Darkness levels TPB

JAZMA ONLINE gives Top Cow 3 Great reviews!.

Darkness: Levels # 1 tradepaper back

First Born # 2

First Born # 3 READ MORE

---

PREVIEW & REVIEW: First Born #3

Top Cow's First Born event culminates as the battle between the forces of Light and Dark reaches a fever pitch...

Celestine and her minions have finally tracked down The Darkness, Dani, Sarah and Magdalena to the mob safe house in Jersey - just in time for the birth of Sarah's child! CLICK HERE

---

First Born #2 and WB #110 reviews

Continuing the First Born Storyline, Sara Pezzini, the former host of the Witchblade is pregnant and her unborn child is the focus of the war between the Darkness and the Angelus. Sara will learn who the father of her child is in a startling revelation. CLICK HERE

---