WITCHBLADE #106

[MattBrady]

<a href="http://www.newsarama.com/Top_Cow/Wblade/106/Page_1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Top_Cow/Wblade/106/t_Page_1.jpg" border="0" align="right"></a>Top Cow has provided Newsarama with a preview of this month's <b>Witchblade #106</b>, part one of the first full adventure of Danielle Baptiste, the new bearer of the 'blade.

The solicitation for the issue reads:

(W) Ron Marz (A) Stjepan Sejic (Cov) Chris Bachalo & Adriana Melo

Part 1 of a very special 2-part story. Danielle Baptiste returns home to the battered city of New Orleans to visit her ailing father. As she consoles her father and explores the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Dani will discover why New Orleans is called "the most haunted city in America." But what does the Witchblade know about it?

First Born writer Ron Marz (Ion, Samurai: Heaven & Earth) and Croatian painting sensation, Stjepan Sejic team up to bring you a haunting tale of mood and mystery.

Cover A) Chris Bachalo cover
Cover B) Adriana Melo cover

Full Color 32 pages $2.99

<center><a href="http://www.newsarama.com/Top_Cow/Wblade/106/Page_2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Top_Cow/Wblade/106/t_Page_2.jpg" border="0"></a><a href="http://www.newsarama.com/Top_Cow/Wblade/106/Page_3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Top_Cow/Wblade/106/t_Page_3.jpg" hspace="3" border="0"></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.newsarama.com/Top_Cow/Wblade/106/Page_4.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Top_Cow/Wblade/106/t_Page_4.jpg" border="0"></a><a href="http://www.newsarama.com/Top_Cow/Wblade/106/Page_5.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Top_Cow/Wblade/106/t_Page_5.jpg" hspace="3" border="0"></a><a href="http://www.newsarama.com/Top_Cow/Wblade/106/Page_6.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/Top_Cow/Wblade/106/t_Page_6.jpg" border="0"></a></center>

[Electrohead]

That art is gorgeous!!! So having never read Witchblade am I going to be lost if I try to jump on now. Or is there a better jumping on point?

[theodoros2]

A good comic book that not many people notice. The first 80 issues were so meaningless. Ron Marz did make it better.

I don't want the Bachalo cover...
One of my favorite artists devolves.

[NightRiver]

That Bachalo cover is awesome and the interiors look amazing.

[sephiroth617]

Both covers are awesome!

Since Mr. Marz took over, I have been buying the series monthly. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to read something other than the big 2.

[boomboom]

That art is gorgeous!!! So having never read Witchblade am I going to be lost if I try to jump on now. Or is there a better jumping on point?

yup.

You can jump on.

But ofcourse getting some backissues 100-105 for instance help.

And offcourse getting the first trades helps even more.

Just jump on, try some issues and see if you like it enough to know more.

MARZ is doing a damn fine job!!


Beyond THIS series there is a nice 3-issue series called FIRST BORN

We're working on hard on making this 3 issue series something that any fan - new or existing - can enjoy as a complete self contained story. Of course I'd be lying if I wasn't hoping that reading First Born you're tempted to add Witchblade or The Darkness to your pull list

Take care,
__________________
Filip Sablik
Vice President - Marketing & Sales
Top Cow Productions, Inc.

furthermore in regards to FIRST BORN:

If you're still on the fence, you can check out First Born three different ways -

>>> Image's Free Comic Book Day book (Robert Kirkman's Wolfman #1) has a 4 page First Born preview with more gorgeous art by Stjepan Sejic

>>> Unholy Union, our latest Marvel crossover featuring Witchblade, The Darkness, Dr Strange, Ghost Rider, and The Hulk will also have a lead in. That'll be out in June.

>>> ...and, in early June we'll be releasing First Born First Look, which will be a 99 cent preview book for the mini-series

Take care,
__________________
Filip Sablik
Vice President - Marketing & Sales
Top Cow Productions, Inc.

SOURCE: http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?p=3687222

[finn5fel]

That art is gorgeous!!! So having never read Witchblade am I going to be lost if I try to jump on now. Or is there a better jumping on point?

I agree with Boomboom. I would start with issue 100 and you won't be lost at all. The story is fantastic, and both Adriana Melo's and Stjepan Sejic's artwork is fantastic.

[Crump's Brother]

That first interior page is gorgeous. Hm. Buy a Witchblade book? :eek:

[Mrsupertight]

I picked up Witchblade when jenkins first started. This will get me to pick up the title again. It also helps that I'm from New Orleans as well. I hope Marz does a good job when writing about the city.

-Michael

[Scorned1]

When is this issue coming out? I picked up 105 and I am hooked.

[DoctorDoom]

....Gwen STacy?

[FablesJunkie]

I'd just like to say that Serbs and Croats have the coolest names ever.

Oh, and the art is kickass. I really wish Stjepan Sejic could do something for DC or Marvel, or maybe illustrate an OGN like Niko Heinrichon did for Pride of Baghdad. That would be indescribably unbelievably awesome, and I would buy it the day it came out.

[filipsablik]

When is this issue coming out? I picked up 105 and I am hooked.
Hi Scorned,

Issue #106 should be in stores on May 30th.

Take care,

[filipsablik]

I'd just like to say that Serbs and Croats have the coolest names ever.

Oh, and the art is kickass. I really wish Stjepan Sejic could do something for DC or Marvel, or maybe illustrate an OGN like Niko Heinrichon did for Pride of Baghdad. That would be indescribably unbelievably awesome, and I would buy it the day it came out.
Hi FablesJunkie,

We're fortunate enough to have Stjepan exclusive for the next few years, but I think if you check out First Born you won't be disappointed. It's a 3 issue self contained event completely digitally painted by Stjepan so I think it'll hit the spot!

Take care,

[berristr]

That interior art is amazing! I might have to start picking up Witchblade, if the writing is good. I picked #80 but wasn't that impressed with it. It was okay. It sounds like the writing has improved since then. Is that true?

[Skatonic10]

That art is gorgeous!!! So having never read Witchblade am I going to be lost if I try to jump on now. Or is there a better jumping on point?

If you start around issue 90 or so that's a pretty good place to jump on. You might be able to buy the recent issues in trade.

[LikeaPhoenix]

Wow, the interior and cover art are beautiful:eek: :cool: :D ! Thank Goddess for no MTurner cover:p !

[Charlie Hustle]

Nice art, looks like an ep of Cold Case.

First thing I've liked from Bachalo in a very long time.

[mookydo]

....Gwen STacy?

no, silly. It's Black Canary.

[BoPFan1969]

I might give this a try. It looks beautiful.

Oh, and Hi! New here.

[FIG]

The interior work is beautiful but it needs more detail. Right now, its too painterly for my taste. And one look at that portrait by Adriana Melo has me wondering what Top Cow was ever thinking replacing her as the series artist. Shes awesome and I am a huge fan.

[Enigmatic]

Da-da-damn! Killer art, really does well at setting the tone. Never picked up an issue of Witchblade but i may just have to go to Wikipedia and get caught up. Quick question: how likely is it that this new Witchblader will stick around AFTER Top Cow's First Born event?

[Rob Levin]

Quick question: how likely is it that this new Witchblader will stick around AFTER Top Cow's First Born event?

I don't know... Marz has a track record of stuffing [fictional] women in refrigerators. I can say with 50% certainty that this does not happen here. I will say with 100% certainty that there is no gimmick at work here in Witchblade or First Born. We're just telling a really great story that's going to mean big things for all the TCU titles that follow it.

[beta-ray]

Hi FablesJunkie,

We're fortunate enough to have Stjepan exclusive for the next few years, but I think if you check out First Born you won't be disappointed. It's a 3 issue self contained event completely digitally painted by Stjepan so I think it'll hit the spot!

Take care,

Hmmn if I can find it, I might just do that!

[C. The B.B.C]

I don't want the Bachalo cover...
One of my favorite artists devolves.


I kind of agree. Chris has done some much stronger stuff in throw-away panels of X-Men lately. The Witchblade just kinda looks like goo and the chick didn`t come out quite right either. Screw it though, I still love his work, everyone is allowed some sub-par work every now and then. I just might pick this up, since the interior art looks so good and I haven`t really dug the Sarah Pezzini Witchblade since the begining.

[Freelanse]

Man, the art is great but I don't know if Witchblade is my cup of tea. I tried the first few issues of Witchblade (maybe the first 20) and then got away from it when they changed artists (mind you this was a teenager during that time). Now that I'm all grown up I don't know if this book is for me. It's unfortunate because I love the art, but I have serious doubts about the story. Maybe things have changed but Top Cow titles have really disappointed me (well, at first they did and checking out some of the new titles I wonder if that's changed). Matter of fact, I picked up an issue or two of Witchblade in recent months. I believe I bought a Chris Bachalo issue and number 100 and neither one impressed me. Not a knock on anyone who likes the book but I'd need serious convincing to pick this one up.

[filipsablik]

Man, the art is great but I don't know if Witchblade is my cup of tea. I tried the first few issues of Witchblade (maybe the first 20) and then got away from it when they changed artists (mind you this was a teenager during that time). Now that I'm all grown up I don't know if this book is for me. It's unfortunate because I love the art, but I have serious doubts about the story. Maybe things have changed but Top Cow titles have really disappointed me (well, at first they did and checking out some of the new titles I wonder if that's changed). Matter of fact, I picked up an issue or two of Witchblade in recent months. I believe I bought a Chris Bachalo issue and number 100 and neither one impressed me. Not a knock on anyone who likes the book but I'd need serious convincing to pick this one up.

Hi Everyone,

For anyone who is interested in trying out Ron Marz's run on Witchblade, I direct you to the following special feature we ran with Newsarama back in February. We posted the entire first story arc of Ron's run on the series in its ENTIRETY. That's right 6 full issues to read online for FREE. Plus some of the first professional work from Wizard Top Ten artist Mike Choi. How's that for service?
You can find the final issue here (http://www.newsarama.com/Top_Cow/Week/WitchHunt/01/Issue85.html)along with links on the page to the previous issues. The artists have changed a couple of times over Ron's two year run on the title, but we feel the quality of the story has remained consistent and really about to get better.
This really is a great time to jump onto Witchblade and we hope some of you will join us for the ride leading into First Born.

[boomboom]

the arc "Witchhunt"...

good of you to bring that up, dear sir!!

[munsung02]

Hi Everyone,

For anyone who is interested in trying out Ron Marz's run on Witchblade, I direct you to the following special feature we ran with Newsarama back in February. We posted the entire first story arc of Ron's run on the series in its ENTIRETY. That's right 6 full issues to read online for FREE. Plus some of the first professional work from Wizard Top Ten artist Mike Choi. How's that for service?
You can find the final issue here (http://www.newsarama.com/Top_Cow/Week/WitchHunt/01/Issue85.html)along with links on the page to the previous issues. The artists have changed a couple of times over Ron's two year run on the title, but we feel the quality of the story has remained consistent and really about to get better.
This really is a great time to jump onto Witchblade and we hope some of you will join us for the ride leading into First Born.
That was a really great deal. It's actually what got me back into Witchblade because for a long time I really didn't think that the art worked with the kind of story that was being told. That and that I think Witchblade over all demands a more somber art style than was being used at times. Could have been just me though.

Anyways, I really can't wait for first born. If it's half as good as I think it will be, you can have mine (first born, that is)

[BoPFan1969]

Well, I ran to the comic shop last night. All they had left was 104 and 105. I was hoping to go back to 100 as somebody suggested in this thread. As luck would have it though, 104 seemed to almost give a backstory, so I felt caught up enough to enjoy the book as well as 105.

The first compendium shuold be at my door sometime tomorrow :)

Looking forward to enjoying this series from here out.

[Enigmatic]

I don't know... Marz has a track record of stuffing [fictional] women in refrigerators. I can say with 50% certainty that this does not happen here. I will say with 100% certainty that there is no gimmick at work here in Witchblade or First Born. We're just telling a really great story that's going to mean big things for all the TCU titles that follow it.

Good to know; thnx

[trence5]

Ok so does this mean Sara's dead or has she got the witchblade to choose another bearer somehow?