Bleeding Cool Exclusive: Top Cow Hardcover Excl. at SDCC: Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer & Berserker

Here’s a first look at the San Diego exclusive Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer hardcover, followed by the San Diego exclusive Berserker hardcover from Top Cow.

Time to bring another wheelbarrow?

Source: Bleeding Cool

Newsarama Exclusive Preview: Darkness #85

THE DARKNESS #85
(W) Phil Hester (A) Sheldon Mitchell (Cov) Aaron Campbell

Alkonost, Part 1 of 2!
When Jackie’s mission to destroy all of the Sovereign’s host bodies brings him into the collection of an eccentric Russian crime boss, he and his crew are confronted with an evil that is all too human.

Top Cow Pit artist Sheldon Mitchell (Pilot Season: Stealth) joins regular writer Phil Hester (Gen13, The Anchor) for a sinister two-part story. Featuring a cover by Aaron Campbell (Sherlock Holmes, Green Hornet)!

32 pages Full Color $2.99


See the full exclusive preview here.
Source: Newsarama

Broken Frontier Preview: Angelus #4

Top Cow has provided BF with interior previews of Angelus #4, coming to stores June 30, 2010.

Angelus #4
(W) Ron Marz (A) Stjepan Sejic (Cov) Stjepan Sejic

An ARTIFACTS lead-in series!
Casting The Darkness behind her, Dani moves further into the Light to accept her new role as The Angelus. But a familiar adversary is not about to let her and her companion Finch settle into New Orleans without incident! Will Dani see the vipers in her midst before it's too late?

Full Color 32 pages $2.99 limited series

See the full preview here.
Source: Broken Frontier

Comic Book Resources Previews Artifacts #1

The Event FIVE Years in the Making!

Thirteen mystical Artifacts, including the Witchblade, the Darkness and others, guide the fate of the Top Cow Universe. For centuries, it's been whispered that bringing together all 13 Artifacts would herald mankind's destruction. But a mysterious figure has been manipulating events, laying plans to put Armageddon into motion. The final phase begins here, with the abduction of Hope, the daughter of Sara Pezzini and Jackie Estacado. What ensues will remake the entirety of the Top Cow Universe, from the Witchblade and the Darkness, to the Angelus, Magdalena, and countless others. Artifacts #1 is the perfect place for faithful readers to see their loyalty pay off, and for new readers to experience the Top Cow Universe.

See the first 5 pages of Artifacts #1 here.
Source: CBR

USA Today Chats with "Artifacts" Creators About Upcoming Series w/ Exclusive 5pg Preview!

In the upcoming 13-issue series Artifacts, writer Ron Marz dives headfirst into the unique mythology that ties together so many of the characters from publisher Top Cow's leading titles.

The story line will explain how 13 ancient, supernatural items (including the Witchblade, the Darkness, Magdalena's Spear of Destiny and the Crown of Angelus), if brought together, could spell the end of the world.

The series launch coincides with next month's Comic-Con in San Diego. Marz and series illustrator Michael Broussard took some time with USA TODAY to discuss Artifacts.

Q: How did the idea for Artifacts come about?

Marz: It came about more organically than most crossover storylines. It wasn't like we sat down and said, 'What's our big 2010 project?' This was driven by story a lot more than it was marketing concerns.

Read the full interview and catch the 5 pages of colors/letters here.
Source: USA Today

Broken Frontier: Inside Look at Darkchylde/Darkness #1

Ariel Chylde has made her return to comics. The star of one of the most raved about books during the mid-Nineties 'bad girl' craze, Ms. Chylde has now moved to the same barn as Jackie 'The Darkness' Estacado: the Top Cow farm. Her story resumed in Darkchylde/The Darkness #1, a book that immediately generated buzz as if 13 years hadn't passed. So, BF invited creator Randy Queen over to discuss Ariel's return from the inside out.

Contributed by Randy Queen:

One of the things I try to do when writing is find a relatability with the subject matter and the audience. Why should we care about these people? How are our emotional touchstones the same? The cresendo of this particular story for me is not the climactic battle at the end, but when Jackie frees Ariel towards the middle. One of my favorite lines is when Miss Happy (a little splinter of Ariel's mind) tells Jackie "Absense doesn't always equate to apathy". There's no hidden meaning to that line. Just because a family member or someone you love isn't around, it doesn't mean they don't want to be, it doesn't mean they aren't thinking about you or missing you, or perhaps wishing they could be there or that things had gone differently. This line can be applied to many situations in one's life. Just becasue something isn't right in front of you, doesn't mean someone somewhere isn't wishing it were so. Absence doesn't always equate to apathy.

To see more, go here.
Source: Broken Frontier

Top Cow Productions has provided CBR with exclusive first looks at Adriana Melo and Sunny Gho's covers for "Witchblade" #130 by Ron Marz and Stjepan Sejic, concluding the "War of the Witchblades" storyline. This issue goes on sale in September.

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1ST LOOK: Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer #1 San Diego Cover

Top Cow has given Newsarama a look at their special San Diego Comic-Con cover to the upcoming Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer #1 (of 5).

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How to Create a Witchblade Cover process piece

This was my first comic book cover, and the patience and direction given by both Filip Sablik and Phil Smith at Top Cow was invaluable. It has always been a dream of mine to be able to work on a comic cover, and getting the opportunity to work on a title that I've loved since I was a kid has only made the experience more special.

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Phil Hester's Darkness Cover Process

Beginning in September, acclaimed writer Phi Hester gets back to his roots as an illustrator for “Bog,” a new two-part story beginning in “The Darkness” #80. The story finds Darkness bearer Jackie Estacado traveling to swamp country on a crucial mission, one that is put in jeopardy by what Top Cow calls the bog’s monstrous protector.

Hester was eager to reunite with frequent collaborator Ande Parks to tell his story, which Top Cow Publisher Filip Sablik says is close to the writer-artist’s heart. “Phil has really revived and reinvigorated ‘The Darkness’ during his tenure as writer. He's taking Jackie places he's never been before and making him a much more fleshed out, three-dimensional character,” Sablik told CBR.

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Dale Keown's "Berserker" #1 - Rage Edition

Top Cow Productions has provided CBR with a look at the limited edition "Rage Edition" of Dale Keown's cover artwork for "Berserker" #1. Written by Rick Loverd with art by Jeremy Haun, this version of "Berserker" #1 will be available exclusively at the official series launch parties at Golden Apple Comics in Los Angeles, CA and Collector's Paradise in Winnetka, CA, where Haun and series producers Milo Ventimiglia & Russ Cundiff will be on hand to sign copies.

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EXCLUSIVE: Luke Ross' Witchblade #128 Cover

Top Cow has provided CBR with an exclusive first look at Luke Ross' variant cover for "Witchblade" #128. Written by Ron Marz with art by Stjepan Sejic, this issue's cover is an homage to "Crisis on Infinite Earths" #7. The implications of that - especially when paired with the end of "Witchblade" #127 -- are pretty clear.

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Silvestri, Others Profiled in The Art of Top Cow

The Art of Top Cow, a 320-page hardcover coffee table book scheduled to be released in July 2009, will showcase the work of Top Cow founder Marc Silvestri and various alumni in the 16 years since the studio’s founding. Included are artists Michael Turner, Dave Finch, Joe Benitez, Eric Basaldua, Dale Keown, Stjepan Sejic, and others.

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EXCLUSIVE: Kenneth Rocafort's Cyberforce/ Hunter-Killer #2

Top Cow has provided CBR with an exclusive first look at Kenneth Rocafort's cover artwork for "Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer" #2. Written by Mark Waid with art by Rocafort and a variant cover by Stjepan Sejic, this issue goes on sale August 19 in finer comics stores everywhere.

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Tuesday Top Cow gave our readers a first look at the cover to this summer's The Darkness/Pitt #1, and today the publisher sends along a first look at the cover to The Darkness #79, featuring the return of artst Jorge Lucas.

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FIRST LOOK - 'The Darkness/Pitt #1'

Top Cow has provided Newsarama readers with a first look at the cover to this summer's The Darkness/Pitt #1, the first issue of a 3-issue limited series by Paul Jenkins and Pitt creator Dale Keown...

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EXCLUSIVE: Stjepan Sejic's Darkness/Pitt #1 Cover

Top Cow Productions has provided CBR with an exclusive first look at Stjepan Sejic's variant cover of "The Darkness/Pitt" #1. Written by Paul Jenkins with art by Dale Keown, this issue (the first of three) goes on sale August 26. When you're done checking out this exciting preview, don't forget to visit CBR's Image Comics forum to discuss "The Darkness/Pitt" with fellow readers.

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EXCLUSIVE: First Look at Top Cow's "Berserker" #1

Top Cow has provided CBR News with an exclusive first look at inked artwork from Milo Ventimigia's "Berserker" #1, by Rick Loverd and Jeremy Haun.

A brutal new series produced by Heroes star Milo Ventimiglia and DiVide Pictures!

The lives of Aaron and Farris, two young and completely different men, are turned upside down when they discover an animalistic and uncontrollable rage living inside them. Meanwhile, two mysterious organizations seek them out for their newfound strength and power for their own purposes.But what good is strength and power when you can't tell friend from foe?

From Friday Night Lights screenwriter Rick Loverd and artist Jeremy Haun (Chuck, Leading Man) comes a raw, bloody series in the spirit of Wanted! Featuring variant covers by series artist Jeremy Haun and Dale Keown (The Darkness/Pitt).

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FIRST LOOK: Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men

Get an early glimpse at Marc Silvestri's variant cover to DARK AVENGERS/UNCANNY X-MEN #1!

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FCBD Preview - Top Cow's Cyberforce/ Hunter-Killer Preview

Sure, you can get the whole book free this Saturday, but that shouldn't stop you from enjoying a preview today

Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer Preview Creative Team: (W) Mark Waid (A) Kenneth Rocafort Top Cow launches its biggest summer event to date with the return of Cyberforce and Hunter-Killer! When two fan-favorite antagonists join forces, both teams are thrust back into the spotlight and must band together to keep the world safe. But can they get along long enough to succeed? This FCBD09 preview issue leads directly into the five-issue event series launching in July and features an original story by Waid and Rocafort, plus special sneak-peeks of this year's "Pilot Season" contenders. 32pgs, FC FREE!

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