Broken Frontier Pinpoints Artifacts in Hope is Lost's Ad

Top Cow Productions has released the first teaser image for Artifacts, the publisher's big event kicking off this summer. According to the publsher, Hope, the daughter of Sara Pezzini and Jackie Estacado, has gone missing.

The message Top Cow sent out reads as follows:

Top Cow Productions, Inc. received a report early this morning that Hope, the daughter of Sara Pezzini and Jackie Estacado, has gone missing.

Above (not full-sized) and attached (full-sized) is an image of Hope. Please distribute amongst your network. Additional information will be dispersed as we receive it.

If you have any information about the whereabouts of Hope, please contact authorities at the phone number/email address below.

The Artifacts shown on the teaser images:

* Witchblade (Sara Pezzini)
* The Darkness (Jackie Estacado)
* Angelus's Crown (Dani Baptiste)
* The Wheel of Shadows (Sabine)
* Spear of Destiny (Magdalena)
* Ember Stone (Gloriana Silver)
* Glacier Stone (Finnegan)
* Blood Sword (Finnegan)
* The Rapture (Tom Judge)

Source: Broken Frontier

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Salt Lake City Weekly Interviews Tyler Kirkham

Going back into the world of comics today, we focus our attention on the works of an artist who practiced his craft and got into drawing issues the hard way. But man, did it pay off.

Tyler Kirkham has been producing all kinds of work for Top Cow for the past few years, having a hand in titles from Image such as Strykeforce, Broken Trinity and The Tenth. Now producing workds primarly for Marvel such as Fusion and Ultimate Fantastic Four, his dedication has earned himself a following and opened up new doors for projects yet to be seen. I got a chance to chat with Tyler about his work and time at Top Cow, as well as projects coming down the road and his thoughts on comics in general.

Gavin: Hey Tyler! First off, tell us a little bit about yourself.

Tyler: Well I was born and raised in Davis county Utah. I've been married for almost seven years to my high school sweet heart Jill. I've always been huge into art. I've always loved drawing. I also love playing video game and Basketball.

Gavin: How did the opportunity come about to work at Image Comics?

Tyler: I got really lucky I think. I started going to more conventions and really trying to pursue comics. I had a really cool art teacher in high school. He let us do what we wanted. So and few friends and I worked on our own comics. So what happened is I had a friend on a church mission is California. He was living in a house with another guy that also liked art and comics. I would send my friend my art and he would show people. The other guy that lived in the house said, "I know where a comic studio is that's real close." He took my art to the Top Cow offices. He showed one of the editors there. She saw promise in my art, but I still wasn't ready. Now I had an in though. I would always do new work and show this editor, or if I went to a convention I would talk to her. So what happened is she was working with a the writer of The Gift. He was looking for a young artist. I wasn't ready to work at Top Cow yet, but this was something good for me to wet my feet and grow as an artist.



Read the full interview here.

Source: Salt Lake City Weekly

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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

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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

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Comic Book Script Archive Hosts four scripts from Ron Marz

As reported by The Comic Book Script Archive:

If you’ve been reading comics for any length of time, I’d wager a pretty penny that you’ve read a few by Ron Marz. A quick glance at his biblography showcases Ron’s work with almost ever major comic book publisher, and on a personal note, his Silver Surfer run was epic.

Lately, Ron has been sandboxing in the Top Cow universe with an acclaimed run on Witchblade– a title that may have been fairly criticized as a cheesecake book eight years ago, Ron has been working hard to shake that preconception off the book by grounding it in character.

Read the entire article and scripts here.

Source: The Comic Book Script Archive

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Creative Loafing Looks Back At Comic Book Moments of 2009

2010.

Just typing it makes me feel weird, like it’s something out of Star Trek.

Twenty-ten: it just sounds like the future. And if it is the future, then the future is now. And while the future may, as always, remain uncertain — it’s not entirely unwritten. At least not for comic fans. (Solicits for 2010 comics hit the web months ago.)

It is said that to understand the future, one need only look to the past.

The last year was an exciting time for comics, full of Blackest Nights and Broken Trinities, and with Marvel currently under Siege, Image standing United, Top Cow preparing to redefine themselves with Artifacts, and the impending return of Bruce Wayne at DC, 2010 will stand boldly on the characters and plot-threads of 2009.

May the competition take note: next year’s list could be very different.

To see more top comic book moments from 2009 from Creative Loafing, click here.



Source: Creative Loafing

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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

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Multiversity Comics: Top Cow Announces Broken Trinity: Pandora's Box

Top Cow Productions have announced another new series today, with this one being a follow up to last year's Broken Trinity titled Broken Trinity: Pandora's Box. It's written by Rob Levin and Bryan Edward Hill, but the real reason to get excited is the art talent associated with it. On interiors you have recent Secret Warriors artist Alessandro Vitti with covers by Tommy Lee Edwards. If that isn't the recipe to pretty book, I don't know what else is.

See the full press release after the jump.

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Digital Spy: Top Cow Unveils Pandora's Box

Top Cow Productions has announced details of a new crossover miniseries titled Broken Trinity: Pandora's Box.

The event will act as a transition point between last year's Broken Trinity series and 2010's Artifacts. Its storyline will tie in with the mythology of the publisher's popular properties Darkness, Witchblade and Angelus.

In an interview with Newsarama, co-writers Bryan Edward Hill and Rob Levin spoke about its plot.

"It's a continuation of the Broken Trinity story created by Ron Marz, centering on Michael Finnegan and Glorianna Silver, the bearers of the Glacier Stone and Ember Stone respectively," said Hill. "When a sociopathic villain seeks out one of the 13 Artifacts, Finnegan and Glorianna set off to stop him, while managing their own private war."

Levin added: "And the shill in me would be remiss in saying that it's also a lead-in to next summer's much-ballyhooed Artifacts series, also by the good Mr Marz. He's been gracious enough (along with the fine folks at Top Cow) to give us enough rope to hang ourselves in terms of where we take these characters."

Broken Trinity: Pandora's Box will run for six issues and debut in February 2010. Artifacts will follow in July.

READ MORE.

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Newsarama: Top Cow Opens A PANDORA's BOX Leading Into ARTIFACTS

Bursting out of the stories of Greek mythology and into the pages of Top Cow comics comes Broken Trinity: Pandora’s Box. This mythical box is said to contain mysteries and ominous gifts that was given to a human by the gods as revenge for stealing the secret of fire. And in this upcoming miniseries recently announced, that box is at the center of the search for the 13 artifacts of Top Cow lore. Standing on either side is a woman hoping to collect them for herself, and a man wanting them to remain lost forevermore.

Scheduled to begin in February and last six issues, Broken Trinity: Pandora’s Box will act in many ways as the transition point between last year’s big event book, Broken Trinity, and 2010’s summer event series Artifacts beginning in July. After years of hints, teases and rumors, Top Cow has begun laying out the mythology of the Darkness, Witchblade and Angelus as three of thirteen artifacts that are key to the Top Cow Universe. While not all of the remaining 10 artifacts have been revealed yet, two have in last year’s miniseries. Pandora’s Box takes that reveal of two new artifacts – and their bearers – and explores it in-depth in this six issue Spring 2010 series.

For more, we talked with the miniseries’ co-writers Bryan Edward Hill and Rob Levin.

Newsarama: So guys, what can you tell us about Broken Trinity: Pandora's Box?

Bryan Edward Hill: It's a continuation of the Broken Trinity story created by Ron Marz, centering on Michael Finnegan and Glorianna Silver, the bearers of the Glacier Stone and Ember Stone respectively. When a sociopathic villain seeks out one of the 13 Artifacts, Finnegan and Glorianna set off to stop him, while managing their own private war.

Rob Levin: And the shill in me would be remiss in saying that it's also a lead-in to next summer's much ballyhooed Artifacts series, also by the good Mr. Marz. He's been gracious enough (along with the fine folks at Top Cow) to give us enough rope to hang ourselves in terms of where we take these characters. And he didn't say anything about not breaking them before we hand them back, so... He might come to regret that.

READ MORE.

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Image/Top Cow Solicitations for February on Newsarama

ANGELUS #3
story RON MARZ
art & cover STJEPAN SEJIC
FEBRUARY 10
32 PAGES / FC
$2.99
Guest Starring the Darkness!
Since the beginning of time, the Angelus has been diametrically opposed to the Darkness. But will Danielle Baptiste, the newest bearer of the Angelus, be able to choose her own path when confronted by sometimes ally Jackie Estacado, bearer of the Darkness?

Read the rest of the solicitations following the link below.

READ MORE.

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Image/Top Cow Solicitations for February on CBR

BROKEN TRINITY: PANDORA’S BOX #1
story ROB LEVIN & BRYAN EDWARD HILL
art ALESSANDRO VITTI
cover TOMMY LEE EDWARDS
FEBRUARY 17
32 PAGES / FC
$3.99

The Road to ARTIFACTS Begins Here!
Finn and Glori, the bearers of the Glacier and Ember Stones, first introduced in Broken Trinity, return this month in a pulse-pounding, world-spanning adventure series. When a fanatic cult embarks on a quest to remake the world with the mythical Pandora’s Box, Finn and Glori’s individual goals of gathering the 13 Artifacts is kicked into overdrive.
From newcomers Rob Levin (The Darkness: Butcher) and Bryan Edward Hill (Broken Trinity: Aftermath) and artist Alessandro Vitti (Secret Warriors). Featuring covers by Tommy Lee Edwards (1985)!

Read the rest following the link below.

READ MORE.

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IGN Announces Top Cow's Big 2010 Event -- Broken Trinity: Pandora's Box

In the build-up to 2010's big event, Top introduces a new mini-series dealing with the aftermath of Broken Trinity.

While Marvel and DC seem to be grabbing most of the headlines these days thanks to major event storylines like Blackest Night and Siege, they aren't the only publishers in the business of big events. Top Cow has debuted several crossovers in recent years that have led to radical changes for their lineup of characters, and that trend will only continue in 2010.

For those who haven't been following Top Cow closely of late, the trend began with a mini-series called First Born. That series saw the birth of a daughter to Sara Pezzini and Jackie Estacado, better known as Witchblade and The Darkness, respectively.

READ MORE.

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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.

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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.

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Exclusive Top Cow Preview - Broken Trinity: Aftermath

An exclusive first look at interiors from this week's Top Cow one-shot.
Broken Trinity: Aftermath
(W) Ron Marz, Bryan Edward Hill (A) Jorge Lucas, Tyler Kirkham (Cov) Tyler Kirkham, Ryan Sook
The quest for the 13 artifacts in the Top Cow Universe continues. Following the events of Broken Trinity come two new characters, two new stories and another chapter in the growing Witchblade saga. Michael Finnegan wrestles with the power and purpose that comes with the Glacier Stone, and his first test might be saving Darkness wielder Jackie Estacado from himself. Hundreds of miles away, Glorianna Silver suffers from her banishment at the hands of The Angelus, and in order to survive, she will have to embrace the power of the Ember Stone and the destiny it has for her.

Cover A – Tyler Kirkham Cover B – Ryan Sook

Full Color 32 pages $2.99 one-shot
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Exclusive Preview at CBR: Broken Trinity Aftermath

The quest for the 13 artifacts in the Top Cow Universe continues. Following the events of Broken Trinity come two new characters, two new stories and another chapter in the growing Witchblade saga.

Michael Finnegan wrestles with the power and purpose that comes with the Glacier Stone, and his first test might be saving Darkness wielder Jackie Estacado from himself. Hundreds of miles away, Glorianna Silver suffers from her banishment at the hands of The Angelus, and in order to survive, she will have to embrace the power of the Ember Stone and the destiny it has for her.

READ MORE.

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Graze Anatomy: Sketches from Your Publisher

I've been gone for a few days in Memphis for the Annual ComicsPRO Meeting, so my apologies for the lack of Graze Anatomy posts. Here's a quick rough sketch of Finn from Broken Trinity in his Ice King form.

This is Sketch #035.

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Top Cow unveils Broken Trinity: Aftermath final cover images

Top Cow Productions, Inc. proudly announced today that they will release Broken Trinity: Aftermath as a one-shot epilogue issue to last year’s blockbuster event, Broken Trinity, the storyline that changed the Top Cow Universe forever. The publisher states that Broken Trinity: Aftermath will be presented as an over-sized issue featuring two stories that capture the following events of the two brand-new characters introduced to the Top Cow Universe during the Broken Trinity event.

Broken Trinity: Aftermath will feature one story written by Ron Marz (Witchblade), the mastermind behind the Broken Trinity series, and another story by up and coming writer Bryan Edward Hill (Mortal Kombat, Kodai Djinn). Artist Jorge Lucas (The Darkness, Pilot Season: Ripclaw) and artist Tyler Kirkham (Ultimate Fantastic Four, Darkness/Wolverine) will be drawing for the issue.

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Newsarama offers an exclusive first look at Broken Trinity:Aftermath's Ryan Sook cover

DC isn't the only publisher that will be dealing with the "aftermath" of an editorial event in May. Top Cow will be dealing with its own aftermath, in this case the fallout from their Broken Trinity storyline, and Newsarama has a first look at the Ryan Sook cover to the one-shot....

READ MORE.

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