Review: Witchblade #1 Anniversary Edition
If there is ever a book that demonstrates the difference in comic tastes from yesteryear and modern viewpoints, it is probably Witchblade. Originally a Top Cow comic for Image, this book encapsulates the mid to late 90’s feel perfectly, when looked through the prism of today, I am sure that there will be a huge swathe of people who are going to be as bent out of shape as the heroines broken back poses!
Sara Pezzini is a NYPD homicide detective. With a hate on for organised crimes generally and Kenneth Irons specifically. Sara has a plan and a red leather dress in which to wrap it up in. Of course, what’s a cop story without a rogue cop (Sara), a hot partner and a father figure for a police chief. Despite, or maybe because of, her intentions, Sara finds herself up to her thigh highs in trouble and when she leaps into the path of a hail of bullets meant for her partner, it is the enticing, magical and possibly possessed Witchblade gauntlet that comes to her rescue.
The book features a trio of plotters in David Wohl, Brian Haberlin and Michael Turner, with a script by Wohl. With that in mind, too many chefs can spoil the soup. Reading this takes me way back to the 90’s where art was king. Therefore regardless of the numbers involved, the book boils down to a number of well used tropes and cliches, even back then. Sara is a babe, dresses like a slut (her words not mine), a business man for a villain and of course the mystical elements. The action scenes in the book carry the ludicrousness of the 90’s. The monologue through the story is equally as cliche as the characters but does it job well in setting the character motivations up whilst moving the story along at pace. This may be the Turner element; I assume that it helps to have an artist approach to writing, helping to visualise the scenes before the pencils hit the page.
Speaking of the art, the late great Michael Turner provides the pencils. However for those expecting the real deal, may be in for a shock. This is Turner’s first major work. As such, there is a distinct Erik Larsen feel to the action pieces, a very Jim Lee look to some frames; it’s as if Turner was emulating the best of the time. This isn’t a trick that is solely attributed to Turner; Romita Sr was asked to emulate Ditko as he starting taking over Amazing Spider-Man. Turner would become one of the comic book greats, with a clean line style that emphasises curves and muscles rather than bludgeon the reader as it appears here. Regardless of style, there is no question about the high level of story telling on show. Inks are provided by D-Tron. The inks are heavy, which matches the era, though also serves to overshadow Turners lines. Viet Truong and John Dirito also help out on inks; remember this was way back when digital art was becoming popular. Nathan Cabrera and Jonathan D. Smith provide the color scheme, the latter adding computer colors. Looking at this book now, when compared to books on the rack today, color wise, there is not a lot of difference. Finally, letters are provided by Dennis Heisler who gets to mix in dialogue and monologue fonts to great effect.
This book is of its age; its level of skin and violence are pretty indicative of this.  Thing is, even back then I was never a big fan of this book. This has nothing to do with today’s “standards’. Ironically, I think we need books like this more today than ever, to offer readers an alternative reading material. From small acorns, this book featured the art of some of the best artists during it’s time including Marc Silvestri and Stjepan Sejic. The recent reboot offers a different take on the Witchblade; both are equally valid. This then shows the longevity of Sara and the Witchblade itself.
Writing – 3 Stars
Art – 3.5 Stars
Color – 5 Stars
Overall – 3 Stars
Co-plotted by; David Wohl, Brian Haberlin & Michael Turner
Written by; David Wohl
Art by; Michael Turner
Inks by; D-Tron, Viet Truong & John Dirito
Colors by; Nathan Cabrera & Jonathan D. Smith
Letters by; Dennis Heilser
Published by; Image Comics / Top Cow
Author Profile
- I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow
Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network
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