Controlling the Darkness Talking About Top Cow's The Darkness Writer Phil Hester

Welcome to the latest edition of Controlling the Darkness where Phil Hester and I discuss all things Darkness and dig into what happened in the latest issue. This month, Jackie confronts the woman who seemed to be enchanting him last issue and has a long discussion with everyone's favorite mystery man, The Foreigner. So let's jump right in!

Eric: Phil, I believe I saw an Oeming cover for issue #78 is he going to be coming on for an arc?

Phil: Nope. Just a cover he worked up during the time we started talking about Lodbrok's hand.

Eric: Jackie mentally shut himself off from the Darkness?

Phil: Subconsciously. Marisol's death triggered a mental block in him making him unable (actually unwilling) to tap into The Darkness.

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Preview: Witchblade/The Darkness/Angelus Trinity: Blood on the Sands

Top Cow continues to explore the long history of the three most powerful weapons in their universe in next week's one-shot.

Witchblade/The Darkness/Angelus: Blood on the Sands
(W) Philip W. Smith (A) Sheldon Mitchell, Admira Wijaya and Tom Grindberg (Cov) Stjepan Sejic

A tale starring Witchblade, The Darkness, and The Angelus pulled from the sands of time surfaces in June!
Set in 13th Century Arabia, Blood on the Sands tells the tale of three different bearers of the Top Cow Universe’s Trinity. In the harsh environment of the Arabian desert a pair of sisters struggle with the burden of the Witchblade, while a Darkness lord seeks to corrupt an inexperienced bearer of the Angelus. Brought to you by newcomer Philip W. Smith (The Gelding) and the artistic talents of Sheldon Mitchell (Witchblade Annual), Admira Wijaya (Hercules) and Tom Grindberg (Teen Titans, The Outsiders).

Full Color 32 pages $2.99 one shot

In stores: June 10th, 2009

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Graze Anatomy: Sketches from Your Publisher

Did I mention I'm excited for July's Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer #1 from Waid and Rocafort? Well, I am. This series is going to be high octane, summer blockbuster fun. Kenneth just turned in a tremendous cover for issue #3 featuring Ballistic which inspired my sketch below. Kenneth's cover makes mine look like it was drawn by a mentally handicapped four year old.

This is Sketch #060.

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Details And Final Covers For ‘Witchblade’ #128

Top Cow has sent us the two covers for July’s Witchblade #128, including the Luke Ross homage cover. This momentous issue sees the continuation of the epic “War of the Witchblades” story and hints that all may not end well for the original bearer of the Witchblade, Sara Pezzini. They seem to be emphasizing that the homage on Ross’ cover isn’t just a fluke, but may be an indication of the direction the story is headed. The full details straight from the Cow are below. Reserve your copy of Witchblade at your local comic shop today!

LUKE ROSS TO PRESENT HOMAGE COVER WITCHBLADE #128

LOS ANGELES, Calif., June 3, 2009 – Top Cow Productions, Inc. unveiled an homage cover variant provided by artist Luke Ross (Captain America) for Witchblade #128. The issue, which is scheduled for release on July 8th 2009, is the forth installment of the six-part “War of the Witchblades” story arc.

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Rising Stars reviewed on G4's "Fresh Ink"!

Blair Butler discusses Mike Carey's new limited series, 'The Torch,' and explains why you should read her top three new comic releases: 'The Dylan Dog Case Files,' 'Scalped' and the 'Rising Stars' Compendium. You might need to spend a little more cash at your local shop than you thought.

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE.

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Graze Anatomy: Sketches from Your Publisher

Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer has me terribly excited, so here's a sketch of Velocity inspired by the series. That lightening bolt is sexy!
Sorry about the lack of consistency in my posting sketches. It's a been a busy few weeks!

This is Sketch #059.

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Darkness Fans Can Start From The Beginning As Top Cow Announces The Darkness Origins Volume 1

Top Cow Productions, Inc. proudly announced today that the long sold out first six issues of the first volume of The Darkness will be re-released as The Darkness Origins Volume 1. Scheduled to be in stores June 2009, the new rebranding is presented as part of the publisher’s “Origins” trade paperback line reprinting of classic Top Cow Universe stories that includes the recently released Witchblade Origins Volumes 1 and 2.

For fans new to Top Cow’s publications, The Darkness Origins Volume 1 tells the story of how mafia hitman Jackie Estacado was blessed and cursed on his 21st birthday when he inherited the power of The Darkness. Readers will learn how the elemental force of The Darkness gives Estacado access to an otherworldly dimension and control over the demons who dwell there. This volume collects the origin of Estacado as the current bearer of The Darkness, and introduces classic characters such as the Angelus, Butcher, and Sonatine.

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