As usual, preview pages below from Top Cow’s opus which goes on sale June 16. Enjoy.
Witchblade Volume 7 Preview Part 2
Vol. 7 of Top Cow’s Witchblade epic goes on sale on June 16. Snazzy preview pages below.
Witchblade Volume 7 Preview Part 1
The Top Cow crew have steadily built an entertaining universe over the last few years with their Witchblade, Darkness and associated characters. What I’ve read of these tales has been a consistent pleasure, mostly due to writer Ron Marz and Stjepan Sejic. The duo are one of the most underrated working in comics today. If you want to see where my praise is coming from, then pick up Vol. 7 of their Witchblade epic, which goes on sale on June 16. The preview pages are too numerous and pretty to ignore, so I thought I’d post a few pages every day until it’s release. Here we go…
Witchblade Vol. 7 Trade Paperback
Ron Marz (A) Stjepan Sejic (Cov) Stjepan Sejic
The new era of Witchblade featuring the team of writer Ron Marz and artist Stjepan Sejic continues! The pair committed to staying on the title until at least issue #150 and their second complete arc together entitled “Crown Heights” is collected in this trade paperback. More importantly this storyline sets the stage and leads directly into “War of the Witchblades”. Collects Witchblade #120-#124 plus a cover gallery featuring Stjepan Sejic, Matt Haley, Tyler Kirkham, and plenty of bonus materials.
Full Color 176 pages $14.99 trade paperback
Pilot Season: Stealth #1 Preview
Yes, this one-shot from Top Cow’s Pilot Season series was meant to come out at the start of the year, but delays do happen. Now it’s out this week. Official description, and previews pages, below.
Pilot Season: Stealth #1
Robert Kirkman (A) Sheldon Mitchell (Cov) Marc Silvestri
From the creative minds of Image partners Robert Kirkman & Marc Silvestri!
Todd Carey is recovering from a nasty divorce, his daughter is flunking out of college and he’s just learned that his father has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Unable to really take care of himself, Todd has allowed his father to move in with him. What Todd doesn’t know, is that his father is the masked vigilante STEALTH… and has been his entire life. Stealth has many enemies and his erratic behavior could easily get him killed–and all this trouble falls squarely in Todd’s lap.
Full Color 22 pages $2.99 pilot issue
Broken Trinity: Pandora’s Box #1 Preview
Below is a preview from Top Cow for their latest mini-series spinning out of Broken Trinity which, according to the Cow, is similar in style to the globe spanning escapism of James Bond, Tomb Raider and co. Vitti’s artwork looks fantastic I gotta say and really seems to fit in line with the epic tales that Top Cow have been exploring in the last few years.
Broken Trinity: Pandora’s Box #1 (of 6)
Rob Levin & Bryan Edward Hill (A) Alessandro Vitti (Cov) Tommy Lee Edwards
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)!
Full Color 32 pages $3.99 limited series
The Week In Pictures Feb 7 2010
There are so many press releases, previews and great snippets of upcoming comics products flooding the net daily, that it’s difficult to whack them all up on this humble blog. So, I thought I’d give a new (hopefully regular) feature a go and boil down all the juicy bits of recent nerd goodness to a hearty visual stew.
Top Cow’s 4th installment in their Pilot Season series of one-shots (and potential series) is called Stellar. Written by Image partners Robert Kirkman and Marc Silvestri, with art by Bernard Chang, Stellar arrives in April and is described thusly:
In Pilot Season: Stellar #1, Kirkman explores the story of Stellar, one of five genetically-enhanced super-humans created by the government. For Stellar, the process used on her has made her toxic to other humans driving four volunteers insane. Banished from Earth, Stellar roams the cosmos trying to use her powers for good, haunted by the fact that she can never return home – and all too aware that her fellow super-humans are out there, eager to strike at any moment.
Halo Legends premieres in san Francisco on Feb 10. Press will be there of course, and maybe you, if you’re quick, and lucky. If not, you can see it with the rest of us on Feb 16.
A limited number of free tickets are available for the general public. Fans wishing to receive free tickets to the event should RSVP via email to halolegends@ign.com. Tickets will be distributed on a “first come, first served” basis. Halo franchise development director Frank O’Connor will be available for media interviews from 6:30-7:30 p.m., and will also discuss the film in an informal, in-theatre Q&A following the screening.
Halo Legends is an all-new, CG and traditional anime PG-13 experience that presents enthralling new stories from one of the world’s most popular video game franchises. The seven-story anthology explores the origin and historical events of the Halo universe and its intriguing characters. The individual episodes fall within Halo’s 26th Century mythology as the battle between humanity and aliens rages on in an attempt to protect Earth and mankind’s expansive number of space colonies.
Andy Kubert’s covers for the first 2 issues of DC’s mini-series, The Return of Bruce Wayne are out. Written by the man who killed him, Grant Morrison, the series will feature Bruce returning to the land of the living (and the present) via a few stopovers throughout past centuries. Yes, we get Pirate Batman and Caveman Batman and all manner of awesome-ness. Batman with an actual costume made of bats while beating primitives with a low-tech axe? I am so there.
Staying with whacky Bats news, is the crazily enjoyable Batman: The Brave and the Bold cartoon series. This new episode features the origin of Firetsorm (cleverly combining the former and present identities), Booster Gold, The Riddler and a bunch of villan’s from Batman’s “zany bad guy” period.
Angelus And Toy Story
Now up at Broken Frontier are two new interviews of mine. One is with writer Ron Marz (Green Lantern, Witchblade) primarily about his new mini-series from Top Cow, Angelus. The other interview is with writer Jesse Blaze Snider (Dead Romeo) about his new gig writing Toy Story for BOOM! Studios.
Also up at Broken Frontier is my review of BOOM! Studio’s Irredeemable #9.
Angelus #1 Preview
Writer Ron Marz continues his great work, along with artist Stjepan Sejic on a new 6 issue mini-series focusing on Dani Baptiste, from the Witchblade series. Gorgeous preview pages below. Angelus #1 goes on sale tomorrow, December 23.
Angelus #1
Ron Marz (A) Stjepan Sejic (Cov) Stjepan Sejic, Eric Basaldua
Taking flight from the pages of “War of the Witchblades”! Danielle Baptiste returns home to New Orleans to come to grips with her new role as the Angelus, the human bearer of the primal force of Light. To complicate matters she must sort out her undefined relationship with Finch while maintaining control of the Angelus host, some of whom covet her power.
Cover A – Stejpan Sejic
Cover B – Eric Basaldua, Rick Basaldua and Caesar Rodriguez
Cover C – Eric Basaldua
Full Color 32 pages $2.99 limited series
Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer #3 Preview
Being released tomorrow is the third issue of Top Cow’s Cyberforce/ Hunter-Killer mini-series. Here’s what the Cow have to say about the issue, plus a few perty pics from artist Kenneth Rocafort. Looks good, hey?
Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer #3
The reason for Morningstar’s alliance with Cyberdata becomes clear and the teams of Cyberforce and Hunter-Killer team members rush to destroy key facilities around the world. Only Morningstar is one step ahead and has a deadly welcoming party ready!
Featuring a cover by series artist Rocafort as well as a variant cover by Whilce Portacio (Spawn).
Cover A – Kenneth Rocafort
Cover B – Whilce Portacio
Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer #4 Covers
Hitting stores on November 18 is the penultimate part of the pretty, and action packed Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer series. Details from Top Cow below.
TWO OPPOSING TEAMS MUST TRUST EACH OTHER TO SURVIVE
CYBERFORCE/HUNTER-KILLER #4
Top Cow Productions, Inc. proudly announced today the upcoming release of the penultimate installment of Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer #4 the first crossover between Top Cow’s Cyberforce and Hunter-Killer teams. Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer #4 is written by Mark Waid (Amazing Spider-Man, Strange), who co-created Hunter-Killer with Top Cow’s CEO and founder Marc Silvestri in 2005, with artwork by Kenneth Rocafort (Madame Mirage, Pilot Season: The Core), who drew the final four issues of the initial Hunter-Killer Season One series.
In Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer #4, both the Cyberforce and Hunter-Killer teams have discovered that Morningstar and Cyberdata are working towards a frightening global-spanning goal, but will the two teams be able to trust each other enough to survive the encounter against their true foes?
Silvestri created Cyberforce as the first comic book title to be produced by his newly-formed company in 1992. Hunter-Killer was created in 2005 by Silvestri and Waid. Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer picks up after Hunter-Killer: Season One wrapped up.
Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer #4 will arrive in stores on November 18th and features covers by Rocafort and Whilce Portacio (Image United).
Two cover variants will be offered for Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer #4, one by series artist Rocafort and another by Top Cow “Artist Pit” alumni Joe Benitez (Soulfire, Teen Titans). The fully colored Benitez cover is revealed for the first time now.
Cyberforce/Hunter-Killer #4 will retail for $2.99 as part of Top Cow’s own initiative to keep all of their regular comics priced at $2.99 for the duration of the 2009 calendar year.
Dani Baptiste Is Angelus
Any excuse is a good one to show some Stjepan Sejic art, so here’s the cover for December’s Angelus #1 from Top Cow, and the official info from the Cow about the new series.
DANI BAPTISTE IS THE ANGELUS
ANGELUS #1
Top Cow Productions, Inc. proudly announced today that the Witchblade character Dani Baptiste will assume her new role as the Angelus in Angelus #1, the first in a six-part series, hitting comic book store shelves December 2, 2009.
Written by Ron Marz (Witchblade, Magdalena) and featuring art by Stjepan Sejic (Witchblade), Angelus #1 finds Danielle Baptiste returning home to New Orleans and coming to grips with her new role as the Angelus—the human bearer of the primal force of light. To complicate matters, Dani must sort out her undefined relationship with Finch, all while maintaining control of the Angelus host who covets her power.
“Sara and Dani were really dual leads for the better part of the last three years in Witchblade, and I liked having both characters be part of the storyline. But now that we’ve paid off everything we’d been working toward since issue #100, I’m looking forward to Sara regaining the solo spot in Witchblade.” said Marz. “Moving Dani into her new role as the Angelus, and into her own mini-series, allows me to approach her character and the concept from a fresh perspective. Just like when I took over Witchblade, my goal with Angelus is to start with the foundation we already have, and build something new and exciting from there.”
Angelus #1 begins where the Witchblade: War of the Witchblades storyline left off. The issue will carry a cover price of $2.99, maintaining Top Cow’s pledge to keep all normal comics locked in at $2.99 for the 2009 calendar year.
Top Cow’s Pilot Season 2009
Below is the press release, (and Marc Silvestri designs) about the latest Pilot Season special from Top Cow. Pilot Season is a grand idea – the Cow give readers a few different one-shots, fans vote and the most popular one gets its own mini-series.
FROM THE TOP SECRET FILES OF ROBERT KIRKMAN AND MARC SILVESTRI PILOT SEASON: DECLASSIFIED ONLY $1
Top Cow Productions, Inc. proudly announced today that the 2009 year of Pilot Season will kick off with Pilot Season: Declassified. The 32-page full color preview book is expected to be available in stores on October 14th, 2009 and will retail for one dollar.
Five brand new comic book properties born out of the collaboration between Image partners Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead, Invincible) and Marc Silvestri (Dark Avengers/X-Men: Utopia, The Darkness) will compete against each other to win the votes of the fans who will determine the winning property that will be rewarded with its own full series. This highly anticipated year of Pilot Season begins in November, but fans will get a first look at all five of the new properties this October in the $1 Pilot Season: Declassified. The secrets behind the inception of each property will be revealed in trailer pages, secret documents, and design sketches ripped from the pages of Marc Silvestri’s sketchbook.
For only $1, Pilot Season: Declassified continues Top Cow’s recently established annual tradition that gives fan the final say in what comic books they want to read. Since 2007, Top Cow has given fans the power to choose a Top Cow series based on a selection of one-shot Pilot Season “pilot” issues through online voting. The inaugural Pilot Season initiative garnered more than four million votes from fans across the globe.
“Pilot Season is something I look forward to each year and a unique event for the comic industry,” commented Top Cow Publisher Filip Sablik, “With two creative masterminds like Robert and Marc at the helm, I have no doubt we’ll get some of the most unique and stunning creations we’ve seen in the competition to date.”
The Darkness/Pitt #1 Free On iPhone
The first issue of Top Cow’s new x-over mini-series, The Darkness/Pitt has sold out, but fear not! The debut issue is now available for free for the iPhone, as well as from comiXology. The second issue hits stands on September 23. If you want to know more about Pitt and his convoluted publishing history, check this out. Press release below.
THE DARKNESS/PITT #1 FREE ON IPHONE
Sold Out Debut Issue Available at No Cost Through Comics by comiXology Application
Top Cow Productions, Inc. proudly announced today that the first issue of The Darkness/Pitt, which has sold out at the distributor level, would be made available for free on comiXology’s Comic store/library/reader application for the iPhone beginning this Wednesday, September 9th. The issue will also be available in its entirety on comiXology.com.
Paul Jenkins (Captain America: Theater of War) and Pitt creator Dale Keown (Berserker) have reunited for the first time since their much-lauded run on The Darkness in 2002 in The Darkness/Pitt. The series also marks the first Pitt series in a decade and creator Keown’s return to the character he is best known for. In the three issue limited series, Jackie Estacado, mafia hitman and current bearer of The Darkness, encounters an alien infection which turns normal people into monstrous zombie like beings. Meanwhile, Pitt, an alien/human hybrid warrior, and his teen half-brother Tim arrive in New York tracking down this same problem. The highly anticipated crossover series has been over five years in the making and was held back from release by Top Cow Productions until all principal work on the series had been completed.
“We’re thrilled to be a part of Top Cow’s strategy to get more exposure for The Darkness/Pitt. The long-awaited return of Pitt deserves great exposure to a wide audience, and our patent-pending Guided View really shines with the material,” explained comiXology President David Steinberger, “Many thousands of people now have the opportunity to read the first issue and use Comics by comiXology’s unique in-app connection to retailers to pre-order the next issue.”
“Top Cow has been talking with comiXology for some time about an opportunity to explore their terrific iPhone app and introduce some Top Cow properties to the world of mobile comics and this seemed like the perfect opportunity,” added Top Cow Publisher Filip Sablik, “Not only do we put our best foot forward, but hopefully we can drive some additional sales to direct market retailers for issue #2 and #3.”
Comics by comiXology can be found here.
Witchblade #130 Preview
On sale this Wednesday September 9 is the conclusion to the electric War of the Witchblades story arc by writer Ron Marz and artist Stjepan Sejic. Top Cow describe it like so:
“War of the Witchblades” Part 6 (of 6)
“War of the Witchblades” concludes here!
Will Sara Pezzini or Dani Baptiste emerge as the sole bearer of the Witchblade? Or will it be a completely new bearer? And who is the new Angelus?
Featuring a cover by regular artist Sejic and two variant covers by classic Witchblade artist Adriana Melo (Ms. Marvel)!
Cover A – Stjepan Sejic
Cover B – Adriana Melo Sara
Cover C – Adrian Melo Danielle
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