Virtualgirl and I split the new Witchblade Volume 5 TPB in half and give our reviews!
Witchblade Volume 5 Trade Paperback
Writers: Ron Marz, Ian Edginton
Artists: Stjepan Sejic, Stephen Sadowski, Luke Ross, Rick Leonardi, and Sami Basri
Colors: Nathan Fairbairn, Dave McCaig, Imaginary Friends Studios
Letterer: Troy Peteri
Design: Phil Smith
Editor: Rob Levin
Cover: Stjepan Sejic
Summary: This volume features last summer’s crossover hit, First Born, its tie-in issues, and several issues dealing with Dani Baptiste and Sara Pezzini’s lives after the universe-altering event.
Showcased in this volume are current Witchblade ongoing artist Stjepan Sejic, Stephen Sadowski (JSA, Project: Superpowers), Luke Ross (Indiana Jones), Rick Leonardi (Action Comics), and Sami Basri (JLA: Classified). Plus, this trade paperback features a brand-new painted cover by Sejic!
Collects Witchblade #110-115 and First Born #1-3.
Reviews:
WITA: The recently released Witchblade Volume 5 trade paperback (226 pages for $17.99) features—along with issues #110-115 of Witchblade—the first three issues and “Conception” of last year’s summer crossover event, First Born. Written by writer Ron Marz, with art by Stjepan Sejic and letters by Troy Peteri, First Born intertwines the storylines and presence of the Witchblade, the Darkness, the Angelus, and the Magdalena.
The First Born section of the trade introduces the central characters, giving new readers valuable background of Sara Pezzini (a now pregnant New York city police detective and the previous wearer of the Witchblade), Danielle Baptiste (the daughter of Sara’s police captain and current bearer of the Witchblade), Jackie Estacado (host of the Darkness), the Angelus (the equal force opposing the Darkness), and Patience (the current Magdalena armed with the Spear of Destiny).
Part One is effective at accomplishing multiple tasks: introducing these already established characters and their relationships and dealing the cards that make up the First Born story, which literally starts out at the scene of a crime. I love the element of detective work and mystery—and not just the magical forces of the Witchblade, the Darkness, the Angelus—involved.
As far as Part One is concerned, the dialogue does a good job at clueing you in to whom the characters are and what roles they play. There’s only one scene where names and characters are kind of difficult to keep track of simply because you’re being introduced to several characters extremely quickly—but otherwise the storyline is easy to follow and dive into: Sara is nearing the end of her enigmatic and unusual pregnancy, the Armenians and the Franchetti crime family are clashing over territory, the Darkness and the Angelus are in the throngs of an ageless war, and the main power of the Angelus has found a new host and seems to have the upper hand. Clearly, a lot is being set up here, but the pace moves along smoothly; although it jumps around, it’s not done in a disorganized manner.
Part Two really kicks things off. The beginning is a little fuzzy, but you get what you need to know soon enough, and it’s just uphill from there for a thrill ride. Sara learns something unexpected about her baby, and she finds herself smack dab in the middle of the Angelus and the Darkness’s war—and it’s not a pretty place to be. Nevertheless, this allows the adventure to really unfold; just like the story, the art is great stuff—especially in this issue.
Plus, in this issue … dun, dun, DUN! Enter the Magdalena. Heh, perfect timing … 
Cue Part Three and the powers literally collide, changing everything as Sara’s baby is born. The characters start in new, different directions, and the game has changed as the truth of the baby’s allegiance is revealed.
In retrospect, this three-issue arc was pretty awesome. There were some things you need to have a little prior knowledge of the series to get (which I lacked), but basically the storyline is easy to follow and get into. In other words, all you need to know to understand these characters in this moment is in these issues. First Born definitely made me a bigger fan of the characters and their interactions, and I’m more interested now in this universe—so it’s very much worth the read!
Of course, this trade also covers five Witchblade issues—which the First Born mini plays into—so if you want a more complete version of the story, the other inclusions of this trade are must-reads. And on that note … take it away, Virtualgirl!
Virtualgirl:
Much has changed once we get to my portion of the trade. First Born really was a life-altering run for those involved in the story. The last panel in particular illustrates the new situations all involved have found themselves in. Without giving too much away, Sara now has a daughter – Hope – and must adapt to the demands of being a mother. Jackie must decide if it is best for him to be involved in Hope’s life at all, and Dani must continue on her journey to coping with her role in the Witchblade’s plans. I have to divulge one more little detail – Sara has the Witchblade back – in some capacity. I won’t explain exactly how, but the following issues won’t make sense without that little tidbit of information.
Witchblade: Shadows and Light
Because First Born was so climactic and everyone involved has been forever changed, the following run of comics are more focused on self-growth and interpersonal relationships. Only one or two minor new characters are introduced for this reason. In this issue, both Sara and her boyfriend Patrick Gleason are getting used to their new parental roles, which has me liking Gleason more and more. Sara is still a bit jumpy about her daughter, and much of the dialogue involves Sara’s fear of not being able to protect her. Action plays into the comic both in dreams and in real life, and helps to bring Sara and Dani even closer together. The book ends with a bit more about Jackie and his current whereabouts.
The art in this book in particular was quite a shift from the elaborate styling of Stjepan Sejic, who did the covers and interiors for First Born. However, that is one of the things I have always loved about trades – that you get multiple artistic flavors with the turn of a page.
Witchblade: Life in Boxes
First, the art in this particular issue is fantastic, and drew me in right away. I think it is the work of Mike Choi, but I could be wrong. The painterly and dreamlike style somehow made Sara look a bit more like a New York mom. Granted, she is still an unusually attractive mom – but something about the causal art style, gym clothing and large gold earrings made Sara seem more approachable – a bit softer
This book follows Sara as she gets used to her new life, which includes changing residences. Gleason again plays a large role in the issue, highlighting their relationship in the wake of these large changes. Dani also struggles to maintain her new life, which is illustrated when she meets a new guy.
Witchblade: The Residents
This issue features the same artist as above. Of all the issues, this was my least favorite, but that is not saying much because I still enjoyed it. It illustrates some strange happenings going on in Sara’s new apartment, which once again collide her with the paranormal. Honestly, I don’t know why this one rubbed me the wrong way. It could simply be that I felt that the story came a bit out of left field. In this issue, we also learn more about Dani and her love interest, who she is finding she can talk freely with.
Witchblade Divided
Once again, this follows Sara and Dani in their new lives, but things seem to be picking up. Perhaps recovered from their prolonged periods of self discovery, the pair catches up with friends and get back to the responsibilities of life. Dani returns to dancing, and Sara entertains the idea of going back to work. Again, trouble follows the pair around relentlessly, but as we would expect, they are equipped to handle it.
Cover Gallery
Cover galleries are one of my favorite things about trades. I love flipping through all the variant covers in rapid succession. A few of my favorites included those by Stjepan Sejic, Marc Silvestri, Dale Keown, Michael Broussar/Rick Basaldua, and Mike Choi/ Sonia Oback. The final in my list may be my favorite, featuring an ethereal looking Sara in a pose resembling a pregnancy portrait.
Overall, I was really impressed with the trade as a whole. Without a doubt First Born was a hit, but the following Witchblade issues managed to hold their own and really highlight the ramifications of the First Born events. It was nice to sit back from the action for a while and watch relationships bloom, see Sara turn into a mother, and watch Dani cope with the Witchblade. Inner struggle is interesting too.
September 4th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
I love Witchblade. Still one of the best comics out there not produced by the Big 2. Ever since issue 1 it has been one of my faves.