When one door closes – another opens. But is that for better … or worse?
Creative Staff:
Writer: Caitlin Kittredge
Artwork: Roberta Ingranata
Colors: Bryan Valenza
What They Say:
Gunned down and left for dead on a New York rooftop, Alex Underwood’s life should have ended there-but instead, at the moment of death, she became host to the Witchblade, a mystical artifact that grants the woman wielding it extraordinary powers. But the power comes with a heavy cost, and Alex finds herself thrust into the center of an unseen battle raging on the snowy streets of NYC. Demons are real and walking among humans, and every one of them is intent on taking out the Witchblade’s newest host before she becomes too strong to kill. But the artifact chose Alex for a reason, and she’s not going down without a fight.
Content (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
Darkness and light … death and life … insanity versus sanity … is there a difference? It has been another torturous night for Alex, her nightmares haunted by phantasms which make no sense, at least not to her waking self. These dreams have been pursuing her every night and even in the day, for she cannot escape from this horror or those of who she councils. She works for the Witness Aid Services Unit, under the District Attorney of Lower Manhattan, and the current case is troublesome for both herself, her partner Debbie and their victim, Myra Groves; she is the wife of a detective, but this corrupt policeman is the worst, a domestic abuser of too many times by which he has gotten away with the lies to cover up his own inadequacies and temper. It is only now is she able follow through with filing a report, but as the two civil servant try to encourage her, all she can remember are the beatings from Blake. Even with an arraignment quickly approaching, fear still grips Myra, and the hope of protection from a restraining order does not do much to comfort her terror.
But as another night passes, she is still tormented by the unexplainable, remarkable memories of the past and remembrances of how she ended in this place. Alex Underwood was once a prominent front line journalist in Afghanistan, but with the rewards of the job so to come risks and she was captured. It was from that time by which she entered a downward spiral, PTSD and loss of her career were just the beginning, but she has always tried to help others, and now is no exception. However, it is this time where she herself needs saving, voices echoing, ghostly images which hold no meaning, lack of clarity for events which have not taken place, but end gruesomely for those she is trying to protect. As she approaches her own breaking point, it is only now does she realize there is a presence in her apartment, something hunting this poor woman from without and within. Does she have the courage and determination to find the truth behind her visions or will it be too much for Alex’s bravery to overcome?
To be quite honest, when I heard they were resurrecting one of the cornerstones for Top Cow and Image Comics, I was a bit skeptical the title would be up to the task. Witchblade, the story of women who bear this mystical gauntlet and through a parasitic relationship, seek justice to right unimaginable wrongs, protect the powerless and defeat monstrous beings of earthly and otherworldly dimensions. However, while this concept has been established during the twenty years of its telling, through the primary title and numerous spin-offs which told the tale of this powerful artifact, we never lost sight that it was the women behind the weapon which bore the responsibility for carrying on the legacy of this entity. While there have been many who have had the privilege of being its host, none has been so well known as its last, Sara Pezzini. And though there have been foolish men who have attempted to conquer this weapon, it is only those of the feminine persuasion which could withstand its power and thus, become people who would lead or influence history.
And now we stand on the precipice of this threshold, and with it the release of a new incarnation for this iconic title, but to my astonishment it was announced this would be a reboot. Then add to my surprise to read a new writer would take the lead on this tale concerning a weapon of the ages, a young author named Caitlin Kittredge. Of course I looked up her credentials, and though she is an accomplished author of dark fantasy and also wrote some for Vertigo Comics, I honestly never heard of her before. While I had my doubts this scribe could add anything new or noteworthy to contribute to this mythos, I decided to forge ahead with bright eyes and an open mind. Thankfully, my naïve cynicism was ruefully proven wrong, and I sincerely apologize for my stubborn ignorance in underestimating someone due to lack of knowledge.
Let me state this up front, even before I begin my honest prostration before this amazing wordsmith, this premiere issue is a literary work of excellence concealed within a graphic format. You will not be disappointed from page one as you delve into a story which may seem familiar, but is strikingly savory in its own right, with an emotional fervor which spices up a tale that we may know, but now is something to be welcomed by a cynical audience. The tale of Alex Underwood, a woman who was once a prominent journalist, whom the Fates conspired against now finds herself at a crossroad and teetering on the brink of what may be a nervous breakdown … or worse. We are at once caught up within this visceral melodrama, the audience itself not sure of what is real or dream, delusions caused by her PTSD or stress from everyday life of being a witness advocate. This carefully constructed narrative draws the reader in, allowing us to inhale a heady aroma, which quickly putrefies into a sickening stench of lunacy, or is this entire tale a fantasy made up by a mind trying to cope with facts she cannot comprehend? Whatever the explanation, we are not disappointed by the skillful unfolding of her psyche, as each level of torment descends into a maelstrom of multiplying terror … only to reveal itself as something all too enticing as Alex tries to make sense of the labyrinthine madness surrounding her and the perversions of the world.
I am struck by admiration how each nightmare may horrify the dreamer, but so too every memory reminds Alex she has never been afraid, reinforcing her determination to protect until the breakthrough comes in all its vivid reality. This is how you build a story, breaking down the heroine, stripping her to a bare essence of humanity, igniting a spark of courage and allow her to face an injustice which she knows one cannot contend without strength. It is only then do you allow her a faint glimmer of hope, agitated by a delusion of inactivity, struck down by what may happen – then given unto her the promise to tame the wrongs she knows are beyond her own abilities to correct. A symbiotic partnership whereby each contributes to the whole and in the end, both heroine and reader are enriched by the narrative and allowed to watch this amazing story bloom anew.
Embarrassingly, I will admit the main reason I was lured to this title was due to the amazing talent of Roberta Ingranata, whom I became enamored by her previous work from Zenescope. Every time I see her artistry it feels like I am viewing for the first time, the manner by which she composes her pages, depth of each panel and the smooth progression from every visual element. And yet that is not her strongest talent, it is the illustrative method by which Ingranata imparts an emotional reverberation within every story she tells, the striking strength imparted within her depiction of every character’s eyes – she truly makes me think they are the keys to the soul. Whether it be a piercing gaze, poised on reflection, turned toward anger or pleading for help, every face and action tells more than words could impart. Her nuance of details also allows our eyes to delve within every scene, revealing an array of components which make up for a magnificent display by which we become lost within her world of imagination.
This is the expectation by which I was drawn into this new series, and I am glad to say, I was not disappointed. She has our attention within the first panel – a phenomenal depiction of Alex’s clear eyes staring skyward. And yet, the intensity of this first issue would fall short if not for colorist Bryan Valenza’s wondrous command of the digital palette. The overcast mask veiling the book makes it seem something is not right, even with the brightness of her emerald eyes, emphasized by those luscious lashes, but then we see the crimson splattered across her face. It is only once the frame pulls back and we see the impact of that initial picture, do we now realize how it will settle in our minds as the start of this adventure and a change to Alex’s life – forever. The ethereal imagery this team litters throughout the book only reinforces the mystical nature of the story, with Valenza giving each element a supernatural hue by a selective choice from common colors, only made all the more unearthly by manipulation of the spectrum. He could have gone with ordinary textures and tones, but the impact of these unique components are made all the more real, giving them a primal and chilling beauty within the art.
It is only as the narrative progresses do we see how Ingranata imparts a visceral strength throughout the telling while Valenza’s shadows and grey tones denote a dreary sorrow, made all the more forceful with the white frames of the pages. This combination of these components help to impart the feeling of isolation which is drowning Alex, doubting herself, but only within her dreams does she see what her inactivity can bring, brought to the forefront as to deciding what is real. This build up of the narration, imagery and colors allow us to participate in Alex’s breakdown, feeling the spiraling sense of helplessness, doubting her own sanity. It is only then do we see clarity from those nightmares, acknowledgement that Alex has no more excuses for doing nothing, and accepting a new reality which now encroaches.
As I look back through the issue, it was easy to overlook Alex having the Artifact the whole time, but we do not connect the dots until the end. Ghostly images, spectral colors and the feathers … snowy white drifting down during each of the lapses denotes something is happening. While we can make speculations as to that last element’s meaning, it is clear everything leads to two magnificent splash pages, each one marking a turning point in the story. Every panel drives us forward, the change of Alex’s eyes – from emerald green to coal black, with colors intensifying the strength of images and giving them a life of their own. But page which ties everything together has to be the one showing the past bearers of the Witchblade: with Alex in the foreground we see Shiori-sama, Joan d’Arc, a member of the French Resistance and then Samantha, a proud legacy from which this premier issues prominently takes place within this glorious mythos. This is the way to start a new incarnation of a well known story.
Witchblade is becoming an inspiring and synergistic amalgamation of word, images and colors, all dedicated to the telling a tale which fans know all too well, and yet place it in high regard with a new interpretation. This initial issue has such emotional ambiance, grandeur and an underlying timbre that the reader cannot but be impressed, as we witness a new beginning. With the transition from an all male team to female writer and artist, we are able to see a more open viewpoint and allow this heroine to shine within the darkness which is to come and welcomed with open arms and a mystical blade.
Grade: A++
Rating: T (Teen)
Released By: Image Comics
Release Date: December 06, 2017
MSRP: $3.99
