The Graphic Novel Reporter Includes Witchblade in Core Teen Graphic Novel List

Teens are a fickle bunch, sure, but they want pretty much what adults want when it comes to graphic novels: A good story, nice art, and a sense of importance or adventure that transports them to a new time and place. That's what we learned when we began compiling our Core List for Teens, a guide for booksellers interested in expanding their shelf space to include graphic novels. We began with the same considerations we used when we put together our Adult List: A small list for smaller stores, a list of 25 more, and then an expanded group of 100 titles.



Witchblade Series
by Ron Marz, Mike Choi, et al.
Top Cow/Image

To see who else made the list, go here.
Source: The Graphic Novel Reporter

Blogcritics Books Reviews Witchblade Vol. 2 - Awakenings by Ron Marz and Mike Choi

I know I said that the first volume of the renewed Witchblade series wasn’t exactly my cup of tea; but short while after saying, there I was — feeling an inexplicable urge to read super-heroine stuff on glossy paper, and so I picked up the second volume of Witchblade. To my pleasant surprise, it was actually better than the previous volume, story-wise. No more apocalyptic end-of-days cliches, but rather your more usual day-to-day supernatural killers and mutated outlaws.

First, a quick recap: the renewed Witchblade series by writer Ron Marz follows Sara Pezzini, a beautiful New Yorker detective, the bearer of an ancient and powerful artifact called the Witchblade; the Witchblade symbiotically attaches to Sara’s (naked) body, both like an armor and a weapon (The original Witchblade series, with amazing art by Michael Turner, debuted in 1995, went on for 79 issues, and is still going on with the renewed series taking over from issue #80, first published in 2004; this second volume collects issues #86-#92).

All the art in this volume is perfectly and professionally colored by Brian Buccellato.

To summarize my impression of this volume, I would have to say that it is still not my usual cup of tea, but once in a while, it’s exactly the kind of tea I crave — and for sure it had been better tea than the previous one. I may drink more of it, once in a while.

Read the full review here.

Source: Blogcritics Books

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Graphic Policy Reviews Witchblade Vol. 1

Graphic Policy's Brett remembers when Witchblade came out many years ago at a point when he had given up on Image Comics and any imprint associated with them. Top Cow (the publisher of Witchblade) since that time has defined themselves over the years putting out visually amazing comics launching the careers of some of the hottest artists in the industry. In truth, he has never read a Top Cow comic (that he can remember) until this past week. But leave it to Twitter to open up an opportunity to see what he's been missing.

His new friends (very professional folks) challenged him to check out what he's been missing, and a week after comic book writer Ron Marz reached out to him, he received a package that would provide him that opportunity. And he had to kick myself, because when it comes to Witchblade he's been missing some entertaining, quality comics.

He was nervous wondering what he had missed in the previous 79 issues. Would he be lost not know what’s come before? The answer is no, and after reading just the first volume, he felt like Sara Pezzini has been a friend of his for a long time. This volume is a great introduction and a perfect starting point to see what you’ve been missing. Along with Marz’s excellent writing, he was treated to the amazing art of Mike Choi.

Overall: For $4.99 you can’t go wrong. The story is entertaining and art beautiful and there are so few comics out there headlined by a strong, positive female protagonist. I’m sure like me you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the quality. This volume is a perfect jumping off point with a great introduction as to the character and what to expect. Marz’s writing is so good, I think I have another comic to add to my pull list. Give it a shot, you won’t be disappointed. Overall Rating: 9.25

Recommendation: Buy

Read the full review here.

Source: Graphic Policy

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TOP COW PRODUCTIONS ROUNDUP at Comics Continuum

Nelson Blake II, the most recent addition to the stable of in-house artists working at Top Cow Productions, is drawing The Darkness #78, the publisher has announced.

The Darkness #78 -- written by Phil Hester, with a cover by Michael Avon Oeming and scheduled for June -- will explore what happens when current Darkness bearer Jackie Estacado becomes fed up with the mysterious Sovereign, who has kept Jackie on a wild goose chase to recover his full power for the past few issues.

READ MORE.

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Newsarama shows a sneak peek of Fusion #1 cover by Mike Choi & Sonia Oback

In a display of how much importance Norman Osborn and the Thunderbolts have achieved in the Marvel Universe, the team is getting equal billing with the Avengers in Top Cow's latest inter-company crossover, entitled Fusion: Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer/ Avengers/Thunderbolts

The three-issue limited series begins in May and Top Cow has provided Newsarama with a first look at Mike Choi's cover to the debut issue.

READ MORE.

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Mike Choi Witchblade Video Interview

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Review: Witchblade Witch Hunt’ Vol. 1 TPB

Geeks of Doom provide an indepth and interesting review of Witchblade Volume 1 by Ron Marz and Mike Choi from the eyes of a newcomer to the Top Cow Universe. "with the pencil duties by Mike Choi, the artwork stands out" Read the rest of the review HERE.

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