Ron Marz | |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Author:
Ron Marz,
Stjepan Sejic,
Luke Ross,
Steve Sadowski,
Rick Leonardi,
Kevin Nowlan,
Sami Basri
By
Top Cow Productions/Image Comics
First Born, the biggest event of 2007, is collected in this trade paperback along with key subsequent issues of Witchblade. Written by Ron Marz (Ion, Samurai: Heaven & Earth) and featuring art by a hit parade of artists such as Luke Ross, Steve Sadowski, Rick Leonardi, Kevin Nowlan, Stjepan Sejic, and Sami Basri, this volume collects the entire epic storyline which revealed the father of Sara Pezzini's mysterious child, the child's significance, and shook the Top Cow Universe to the core. Collecting Witchblade #110-115, First Born #1-3, and a cover gallery for a massive nine-issue trade paperback.
 cop forensics and supernatural eeeeeevil, 2009-09-16
I'm not that terribly familiar anymore with WITCHBLADE or, come to think of it, a lot of the other Top Cow titles. Regarding WITCHBLADE's mythology, I know that the Witchblade itself is a tremendously powerful supernatural artifact wielded by NYPD homicide detective Sara Pezzini, and that this is a very dark comic book series.
In fact, the Witchblade is ridiculously ancient and sentient and has had countless bearers throughout history. Taking on the semblance of a shapeshifting gauntlet, its higher purpose is to serve as a balance between the Light and the Dark, the two primal forces of the universe. The Witchblade is actually an offspring of Light and Darkness, created long ago to cement a truce between the two primal forces. Except that, now, the truce is over. All because Sara Pezzini is about to have a baby. This last part is news to me, having lost touch with the series and just now picking it up again.
Okay, so sometime ago Sara learned that she was inexplicably pregnant, despite her not having gotten it on with anyone for a while now. Concerned about her baby's safety, Sara had relinquished the Witchblade to a dancer named Dani Baptiste, who also happens to be the daughter of Sara's police captain and for whom the Witchblade had revealed an affinity. The storytelling makes it pretty easy to pick up on all this.
NYPD is baffled by a recent spate of murders in which incinerated corpses are featured, and you should know that weird cases like this one crops up all the time in Sara Pezzini's city. WITCHBLADE is gritty police procedural meeting supernatural hoohaa, and it's a cool concept. Although, for the bulk of this volume, the Law & Order angle gives way to the otherworldly stuff.
WITCHBLADE Vol. 5 collects all three issues of Top Cow's hit crossover mini-series FIRST BORN and also issues #110-115 of the regular WITCHBLADE series. FIRST BORN chronicles the epic face-off between the agents of Light and Darkness as they contend for possession of Sara's baby. Along the way, we learn just how special this child is and also the identity of the father. In the course of all this, the Darkness, Dani the current Witchblade, and Patience the current Magdalena get embroiled, drawn together to protect the vulnerable Sara and her baby. I'm not fully caught up on much yet, but I do recognize life-changing events when I see them. This applies even to Jackie Estacado, a New York crime lord and also the human host of the Darkness. Big things happen. The first several WITCHBLADE issues reprinted here are tie-ins to FIRST BORN, while the last three or four issues are basically stand-alone "let's catch our breaths" episodes as Sara and Dani cope with the aftermath of the FIRST BORN arc. There's a creepy ghost story here and a moment, on moving day, in which Sara's cop partner and boyfriend loses his Man Card.
Is this where I talk about Stjepan Sejic's phenomenal artwork? Or maybe I should start with veteran writer Ron Marz, whose CrossGen stuff I really dug. I don't know how long Ron Marz has been writing WITCHBLADE, but I know that he brings a clear storytelling style and a good grasp of character narrative. There's a lot in the dense Witchblade mythos which could've hopelessly bewildered a new reader or a catch-up reader like me. Under Marz' pen (or, probably, keyboard), it never got confusing. The interesting thing is that I find it difficult to pick a side, Darkness or the Light, as their respective minions all seem pretty shady. In fact, the servants of Darkness come off as the lesser evil. And the Angelus, well, she's pretty reprehensible.
There's a Cyberforce sighting, which startled me until I remembered that Top Cow publishes Cyberforce. But the cameo fits, tying in with the Angelus's search for a human vessel sturdy enough to contain her/its celestial essence. The story arc feels epic. There's a feel of big, big things unfolding. The Angelus and its heavenly warrior hosts are salivating for battle, eager for the kill. The Dark, independent of Jackie Estacado, is laying out its machinations. It's all leading to a desperate last stand and a whopping big fighty fight. All the while Ron Marz allows us to soak in the inter-relationships, the uneasy alliances, of our lead characters. Sara, the Magdalena, and Jackie Estacado have distinctive enough personalities that it should be fairly easy to set them straight in readers' minds. Only Dani Baptiste, the current Witchblade, seems a bit bland.
Room for romance, if you're into that mush, for Sara and Detective Patrick Gleason, and also for Dani and a mysterious stranger. But I'm not invested in these characters enough to truly give a fig. But, okay, I've always liked Sara Pezzini.
This trade also comes with an intro by Robert Kirkman (Yay, Invincible!) and a 21-paged gallery reprinting various artists' covers to the FIRST BORN crossover event (including Stjepan Sejic's gatefold cover).
Ron Marz can tell a story, no doubt about it. And I don't want to dis the other artists in this bunch of issues, because their stuff is also pretty nice. But the overwhelming draw has to be Stjepan Sejic, who does the artwork for the FIRST BORN mini-series and whose digitally painted artwork is utterly spectacular. There are some awesome panels of the Darkness and the Angelus duking it out. And the women look... well, they look like what I would've wanted to ogle at when I was 14 years old. As it is, I'm glad Sejic paints his warrior women in mostly full armor because, that way, I don't feel quite so dirty and inappropriate. One reason I'm sticking with this series is that Stjepan Sejic, as of issue #116, has become WITCHBLADE's regular artist. Because, once in a while, I like to read a comic book in which everyone is just so damn sexy looking. Then, afterwards, I prefer to cry into a big pillow.
|
|
List Price: $17.99
Our Price: $7.49
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Author:
Ron Marz,
Geoff Johns,
Sterling Gates,
Alan Burnett
By
DC Comics
Sinestro -- Hal Jordan's former mentor and arch-nemesis -- has gathered an army of soldiers fueled by the fear they instill in others, consisting of Arkillo, Karu-Sil, the Cyborg-Superman, and hundreds more of the most terrifying villains the universe has ever seen! Former Green Lantern Kyle Rayner has been possessed by the entity known as Parallax and now assists the Sinestro Corps in cutting a swath of evil across the universe. Trapped in the depths of the Sinestro Corps' Citadel and face-to-face with the Guardian of Sinestro's army of fear, Hal Jordan must find the will-power to battle these terrible foes. And as one of the Book of Oa's prophecies comes true, the Green...
Review: Green Lantern: The Sinestro Corps War, Vol 2, 2010-06-08
It's a must have for a Green Lantern fan, I love the sotry and the art, and it looks great in my bookshelf next to the other Green Lanter graphic novels.
|
|
List Price: $29.99
Our Price: $14.65
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Author:
Thomas Andrews,
Mike Kennedy,
Ron Marz,
Others,
Ian Gibson,
Cam Kennedy,
Carlos Meglia,
Adriana Melo,
Francisco Ruiz Velasco
By
Dark Horse
Boba Fett, the most feared, most respected, and most loved bounty hunter in the galaxy now has all of his comics stories collected into one massive volume! In these stories, Boba Fett gets caught between the Rebellion and the Empire; seeks a mysterious relic from a wrecked Star Destroyer; settles a diplomatic dispute - with extreme prejudice; takes part in a bounty-hunter free-for-all; fights Darth Vader; and even goes up against a Boba Fett imposter! There's no job too deadly for the man in Mandalorian armor!
keep them coming!, 2010-04-08
another incredible omnibus in a series of incredible omnibus releases.
as a newer fan of comics and comics collectibles, it's great to be able to pick up editions like this to catch up!
I don't have a lot of space or time to read, so these editions are perfect for me!
5 stars, my highest recommendation!
|
|
List Price: $24.99
Our Price: $15.23
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Author:
Ron Marz,
Peter David,
Bob Kahan
By
DC Comics
The Battle readers have asked for and dreamed about, wished for and speculated upon, demanded but never expected, finally happens within these pages. DC Versus Marvel, the four issue blockbuster miniseries is now collected into this trade paperback. Heroes and villains cross over from each dimension into the other and celestial beings begin a strange and deadly cosmic chess game to determine which universe is more powerful. Graphic novel format. Available in September.
1 word! WOW!, 2009-06-25
if you like both sides, such as, marvel and dc comics, then this is IT!
enough said! this is by far one of the best comicbooks Ive ever read! EVER!
|
|
List Price: $17.99
Our Price: $10.59
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Author:
Ron Marz,
Stjepan Sejic
By
Top Cow Productions/Image Comics
The new era of Witchblade featuring the team of writer Ron Marz and artist Stjepan Sejic begins here! Collects Witchblade #116-120 and features an eye-catching cover gallery that includes pieces by Sejic, Greg Horn, Lucke Ross, and Marc Silvestri.
Above Average, 2009-08-21
What has kept me buying this series is a combination of great artwork, and consistently strong and entertaining story telling. Hopefully they wont change anything and screw it up.
|
|
List Price: $14.99
Our Price: $9.68
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Author:
Ron Marz,
Mike Choi
By
Top Cow Productions/Image Comics
The origins of the Withcblade revealed!!!, 2008-03-27
In this volume, a new edition of the old volume 11 of Witchblade, we find Sara Pezzini transfered to work for the same unit in which Glasgow is working, and also we get to know of the origins of the Witchblade as the Curator is finally sharing some of his knowledge with us!!!
The drawing is awesome, very improved and incredible, highly detailed; and the plot is superb.
|
|
List Price: $14.99
Our Price: $2.79
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Author:
Ron Marz,
Phil Hester,
Stjepan Sejic
By
Top Cow Productions/Image Comics
In 2007, Top Cow unleashed First Born, hailed by critics as "a quality mini-series," "required reading," and "an epic adventure." That storyline changed the Top Cow Universe forever. But that was just the beginning... Broken Trinity brings together the Witchblade, The Darkness, and The Angelus once more, but this time the stakes are even higher as a new artifact is discovered, forever upsetting the balance of power. By the conclusion of this story, two major new players will be introduced into the Top Cow Universe, while at least one established character will be gone forever!
Must Have for Fans, 2010-07-03
The witchblade series and its assorted spinoff's are the most consistently good stories on the market right now. Marvel should learn from this. A few well contained spin-off's are fine, but dont go overboard with every plot line leading into a different title to buy.
|
|
List Price: $14.99
Our Price: $9.33
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Author:
Ron Marz,
Paul Jenkins,
David Wohl,
Geoff Johns,
Chuck Austen,
Mike Choi,
Chris Bachalo,
Francis Manapul,
Brian Ching,
and more!
By
Top Cow Productions/Image Comics
The Witchblade Compendium Volume 2 brings readers into the world of NYPD detective Sara Pezzini and the mysterious mystical gauntlet the Witchblade! Superstar writer Ron Marz (The Darkness) brings readers what they are looking for with revelations about the nature and origin of the Witchblade itself! For fans of the series this is a must have for any collection!
Great way to complete your collection, 2009-05-30
Containting issues 51-100 or the breakout comic series, this is a great way to complete your collection and fill in any gaps you may have.
Along with Volume 1, this gets you almost up to date!
|
|
List Price: $59.99
Our Price: $37.49
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Author:
Ron Marz,
Stjepan Sejic
By
Top Cow Productions/Image Comics
The new era of Witchblade featuring the team of Harvey Award-nominated 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 story arc together is collected in this trade paperback. Collects Witchblade #120-124, and includes an additional story plus plenty of bonus material.
 falling out..., 2010-07-06
This one has NYPD detective Sara Pezzini, now assigned to the Special Cases Division, investigating a brutal murder in the racially charged neighborhood of Crown Heights. As we all know, Jews and blacks have historically nursed a long-running feud... no, wait, I had no idea that that went down at all. But in Crown Heights a student is fatally torn apart in the orthodox Jewish community, and the black community fears being blamed. Just as Sara and her partner Gleason were wondering what's so spooky or weird that Special Cases needed to be called in, they start running into conjured golems and a voodoo demoness.
It doesn't help that nosy reporter Gretchen Fullmer is all up in Sara's business again, underfoot and, later on, in grave peril. Gretch has harbored suspicions that Detective Pezzini is more than just an ordinary cop. She finally gets to find out for real.
Meanwhile, the other bearer of the Witchblade, Danielle Baptiste, has coffee with one of her ballet school's students, a troubled girl whom her wannabe gangsta boyfriend is trying to coerce into turning tricks. Dani steps in to lend a hand, except that she seriously, seriously bollocks things up. Dani turns to Sara for help.
WITCHBLADE Vol. 7 collects BROKEN TRINITY: "Prelude" (the Free Comic Book Day special), issues #121-124, the "Augury" story from #125, and the story "If Looks Could Kill" from WITCHBLADE ANNUAL #1. Bonus stuff comes in the form of an introduction from Rabbi Geoffrey Dennis, a cover gallery, a sketchbook of Sejic's designs, and Ron Marz's scriptbook for issue #121.
I enjoyed this run of issues, even though you'd be hard pressed to label "Crown Heights" as predominantly anything but a set-up story arc. To demonstrate just how encroaching the supernatural elements are in this series, why, naturally, even the murders here would somehow end up tied into the cosmic forces behind the Witchblade mythology. We get a really interesting visual interpretation of the golem. We get to see Sara take on an awesome-looking mystical villainess astride a cadaverous steed. And I have no doubt we'll see more of Marinette.
The crucial issue is actually #124, the "Crown Heights" epilogue, because it directly sets the stage for the ominous six-part "War of the Witchblades" arc (issues #125-130. The murder case's unsatisfactory resolution has put Sara in a really dark mood, and perhaps this wasn't the best time for Dani to be asking for her help. In cleaning up Dani's mess, Sara compromises her ethics as a cop and she really lays into Dani. Dani, for her part, is hurt that Sara doesn't appreciate that she meant well and did her best. The result is a devastating falling out between the two.
My initial concern was that Sara may have been acting too much out of character. I thought she and Dani were a lot closer than this. But, then again, Sara was already in that bleak place and I think Dani's actions sent her over the edge into unmitigated beyotchiness. Plus, as I mentioned, what she does to help Dani is one of those shady deeds at which judgmental blokes tend to drop that maxim about the "road to hell being paved with blah blah blah."
Just to cleanse the palate, let me mention that "Augury" reveals that Sara's partner, Detective Gleason, absolutely knows more than he's letting on and also that the forgettable "If Looks Could Kill" has Pezzini and Gleason investigating a case in which beautiful women don't recall committing their acts of murder. It's not a pet peeve, but I thought we've moved on past objectifying Sara by putting her in bare belly button tops. What with Stjepan Sejic now objectifying her in sexy stylish full-on Witchblade armor. And this is as good a way as any to segue into praising digital painter extraordinaire, Stjepan Sejic, whose stunning art so readily blows everyone else's "art" out of the water that I'm compelled to insert quotation marks when referencing everyone else's "art." And regarding the writing, I've been firmly in Ron Marz's corner ever since I read his stuff from CrossGen Comics (r.i.p.). Characterization. Pacing. Mood. Suspense. Action. Ron Marz is a heck of a storyteller. I hope these two stick to their vow of staying with the series at least until issue #150. Hopefully, they stay beyond that.
|
|
List Price: $14.99
Our Price: $9.31
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Author:
Ron Marz,
Adriana Melo,
Stjepan Sejic,
Sami Basri
By
Top Cow Productions/Image Comics
A new era of Witchblade begins in this series-changing volume as Sara Pezzini, the Witchblade bearer for 100 issues, gives up the mystical gauntlet to a new bearer in Dani Baptiste! The Witchblade is a mysterious gauntlet which bonds with a female bearer and serves as the Balance between the forces of Light and Dark. Detective Sara Pezzini, the current bearer has discovered she is pregnant and in order to safeguard her baby has given up the artifact to young dancer Dani Baptiste. Written by Ron Marz (Ion, Samurai: Heaven & Earth) and featuring art by Adriana Melo (Star Wars), Stjepan Sejic (First Born), and Sami Basri (Anita Blake) this volume introduces readers to Dani ...
Awesome title, 2009-11-16
I totally loved this book!
Dani Baptiste is my favorite bearer of the Witchblade. At first it was Sara, but I like the fact that Sara had to give it up to Dani, so she could take care of Hope.
|
|
List Price: $17.99
Our Price: $9.49
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DB Error: Bad SQL Query: select node_id, node_name from us_books where parent_node = 4087661 order by node_name
Table 'pipixu_cute.us_books' doesn't exist
DB Error: Bad SQL Query: select n1.node_id, n1.node_name from us_books n1, us_books n2 where n2.node_id = 4087661 and n1.parent_node = n2.parent_node order by n1.node_name
Table 'pipixu_cute.us_books' doesn't exist
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
![Seventh Generation Chlorine Free Baby Diapers, Stage 4 (22-37 Lbs.), Case of 120 Diapers [Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/515%2BKHWOssL._SL75_.jpg "Seventh Generation Chlorine Free Baby Diapers, Stage 4 (22-37 Lbs.), Case of 120 Diapers [Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging]")
