Roundin’ up the Herd – Previous Editions

• July 2012

• June 2012

AUGUST 2012

Welcome to the third edition of Roundin’ up the Herd, UTF‘s monthly guide to the Top Cow Universe.  In this column you’ll find issue summaries, reviews, rampant speculation and yes there will be spoilers.  So sit back, get ready and enjoy.

In the Top Cow Universe there are 13 Artifacts of supernatural power.  If brought together they can destroy the world.  They were.  And they did.  Now there’s a new universe in place of the old one, where things are similar but not quite the same.

Current Artifact wielders:

• Witchblade (Sara Pezzini)

• Darkness (Jackie Estacado)

• Angelus (Finch)

• Spear of Destiny (The Magdalena)

• Blood Sword (Unknown)

• Glacier Stone (Unknown)

• Ember Stone (Unknown)

• Pandora’s Box (Unknown)

• Rapture (Tom Judge)

• Wheel of Shadows (Unknown)

• Heart Stone (Rachel Harrison)

• Coin of Solomon (Unknown)

• 13th Artifact (Unknown)

Slowly but surely the foundations of this new universe are being called into question, as more and more bearers come into play.

Dr. Rachel Harrison, bearer of the Heart Stone:

Have a look around Smitty.  This is going to be home for awhile.

Following a rather morbid interaction with a mysterious but evil old man, named Alton Forsyth, Dr. Rachel Harrison decided to move away from New York.  But coming home to Fletcher’s Harbor may not be the solution she was hoping for.

Bullet Points:

• Dr. Rachel Harrison apparently used the Heart Stone to kill Alton Forsyth (or perhaps it used her).

• The bearer of the Heart Stone moved to Fletcher’s Harbor, Massachusetts.

– She now works at Harbor General Hospital.

• The family heirloom has a history of causing previous wielders to see and experience “strange” and explainable things.

Jackie Estacado the leader of the Estacado crime family, created a brand new universe with everything he ever wanted, but now it’s starting to crumble around him.

Balakov, current wielder of something that’s not part of the 13:

They think they are old.  The Darkness, the Witchblade, the Angelus and the rest of them.  Compared to us, they are children.  Their power is like a flickering candle… while I command the hurricane.

Sadly, there was no new issue of The Darkness this month, so here’s the important story points from the endlessly engrossing previous issue, #105:

Bullet Points:

• The Darkness is doing all it can to satisfy its family.

– takes special notice of Hope and her kittens

– sexually satisfyies both Jackie and Jenny

– handling all the dirty work, so Jackie doesn’t have to

• Aram: The Witch King reveals himself not to be an ally of Jackie‘s.

• Both Balakov and Aram seem to be wielders.

– Balakov hints that he controls something that’s much older than any of the established 13 Artifacts

The Witchblade is one of the thirteen Artifacts, it acts as a balance of power between the light and dark forces while constantly endangering and saving the life of its current wielder, Sara Pezzini.

Sara Pezzini, bearer of the Witchblade:

It created a mirror opposite.  An inverted Magdalena.

The various plot threads set-up since issue #151 start to collide in glorious fashion in this latest romp.  Sara went on an otherworldly trip to figure out who’d been stalking her and why, but while she was distracted a new and more terrifying menace has arrived on the scene.  She’s a very different kind of enemy but one that’s also a bit familiar, since she is a distorted reflection of The Magdalena.

Bullet Points:

• Sara now knows that Jackie has been keeping tabs on here.

• Alisa, a corrupt version of The Magdalena, is attempting to plung Chicago into her own version of Hell

– She has amassed followers, who are willing to do anything to please her.

– She will send kids, biker-witches or whatever she deems necessary to do her bidding.

Beyond the Main Series:

• Witchblade: Demon Reborn #1 and 2 arrived this month, courtesy of Dynamite Entertainment.   After a rather rocky beginning, this sequel mini-series found its footing by the end of its second issue.  It’s not perfect, it’s not necessary, but it did offer some interesting moments and of course another situation where Hope is in mortal danger.

The future of this new Top Cow Universe is getting really dark, as the pieces slowly but surely come into play.  We have Jackie dealing with his Darkness issues, Sara Pezzini fighting the dark-version of The Magdalena and Dr. Rachel Harrison is discovering the side-effects of her own artifact.  I can’t help but wonder if this new version of reality is so bleak because of the man who created it.

And despite there not being an issue of The Darkness this month, I’m still left wondering about the ramifications of last month’s cliffhanger.  There are now other Artifacts or shear elemental power wielders who seem to be beyond the original 13 who are supposed to govern this universe.  Could this play into the history of The Curator (a.k.a. The Survivor)?  Will we see the return of his brother, Tau’ma?  I have no idea, but it’s fun to speculate.

In September,Top Cow fans can look forward to the conclusion of “Phantoms of the Heart” in Artifacts #21, the beginning of a brand new story arc in The Darkness #106 (“Breaking Dark“) and the conclusion of “Saviors” in Witchblade #160.  If that isn’t enough Top Cow Universe action for you, then be sure to pick up Witchblade: Demon Reborn #3, courtesy of Dynamite Entertainment.

   

Artifacts #20

Written By: Ron Marz

Art By: Stjepan Sejic

Cover By: Stjepan Sejic

Description: “PHANTOMS OF THE HEART”, PART 2

Dr. Rachel Harrison will be forced to answer the question that all Artifact bearers before her have been challenged with – will she accept her mantle or reject it? The wrong answer may have a deadly cost for Rapture bearer Tom Judge and his partner Tilly Grimes.

Bottom Line: Artifacts #20 is another successful release in this phenomenal series.  Recommended.

Click here to read the full review.

The Darkness: Rebirth Volume 1 TP

Written By: David Hine

Art By: Jeremy Haun and John Rauch

Cover By: Jeremy Haun

Description: A BOLD NEW ERA OF THE DARKNESS!

“THE CRACK IN EVERYTHING”

Hot on the heels of THE DARKNESS II video game release, this introductory-priced volume welcomes the new creative team of DAVID HINE (THE DARKNESS: FOUR HORSEMEN, THE BULLETPROOF COFFIN, Detective Comics) and JEREMY HAUN (ARTIFACTS, Detective Comics)! On the surface, Jackie Estacado has everything he ever wanted – control of the Darkness, a successful career, and happy family life. Only his desire to make his life truly perfect will be his undoing. What will Jackie do when everything begins to slip away?

Featuring a complete cover gallery alongside a host of bonus content and extras, this entry-level priced collection is a must for anyone curious about Top Cow’s REBIRTH!

Collects THE DARKNESS #101-105

Bottom Line: If you haven’t gotten a chance to read and experience the latest chapter of The Darkness, then this is must purchase opportunity for you.  Highly recommended.

Click here to read the full review.

Witchblade #159

Written By: Tim Seeley

Art By: Diego Bernard and Fred Benes

Covers By: John Tyler Christopher, Diego Bernard and Fred Benes

Description: “SAVIORS”, PART 1

Sara Pezzini will get drawn deeper into Chicago’s corruption when magician Cain Jorgenson asks her to investigate a mysterious Cult threatening a community organizer and popular young politician. In the process, Sara will discover that the most sinister evil can present itself in the most unlikely vessel.

Bottom Line: Witchblade #159 is a fun and engaging comic book, that acts as the proverbial intersection of the apparently convergent plot threads that have been building since #151.  I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect that and I was floored with the revelation.  For that reason and many more this issue comes recommended.

Click here to read the full review.

Witchblade: Demon Reborn #1

Written By: Ande Parks

Art By: Jose Luis

Covers By: Dennis Calero and Jae Lee

Description: Sara Pezzini and The Witchblade sent a serial killer who thought himself a demon to hell. A year later, the “Demon” has learned what true torment is all about. Now, he’s been offered a special opportunity by hell’s bureaucrats: a chance to drag Sara back down with him. In this sequel of the Mark Millar/Jae Lee original story, Sara Pezzini must confront her own demons to avoid losing everything and everyone she loves.

Bonus! Includes the original story by Mark Millar and Jae Lee! 48 pages still for only $3.99!

Bottom Line: Witchblade: Demon Reborn #1 offers a somewhat competent but overly corny narrative that’s let down by sloppy plotting and somewhat serviceable art.  Recommended if you want a copy of the original Witchblade: Demon one-shot, beyond that skip this purchase.

Click here to read the full review.

Witchblade: Demon Reborn #2

Written By: Ande Parks

Art By: Jose Luis

Covers By: Dennis Calero and Jae Lee

Description: The Demon has been to hell. Now he’s back, ready to take revenge on the person who sent him there: Sara Pezzini. As the Demon continues to taunt and test Sara with a horrific series of murders, Sara’s fragile grip on her home life starts to slip. Meanwhile, the Witchblade screams for justice against another sadistic criminal who has been set free. Sara must struggle to control her own desire for vengeance. When ghosts from the Witchblade’s bloody past invade Sara’s home, she may finally lose control altogether. The road to hell beckons, with the Demon as Sara’s personal guide.

Bottom Line: Witchblade: Demon Reborn #2 continues to tell a story that just doesn’t need to happen, but after this solid second issue I’m glad it is.  Recommended.

Click here to read the full review.

That does it for this edition of Roundin’ up the Herd, thank you for once  again reading my rants and raves.  Please leave any feedback, thoughts or ideas in the comments section below.