ROUNDIN’ UP THE HERD: December Edition


Roundin’ up the Herd – Previous Three Months

• November 2012

• October 2012

• September 2012

DECEMBER 2012

Welcome to the seventh edition of Roundin’ up the HerdUTF‘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, relax 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

The 13 Artifacts

• 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.

Tom Judge, bearer of the Rapture:

I need a cigarette.

After finding the literal monster behind the ritualistic killings, Tom Judge performs an exorcism.  The ramifications are a bit hard on his cohort, Tilly Grimes but nonetheless they both press on as their focus shifts back toward the greater Top Cow Universe.

Bullet Points:

• The investigation is over.

Hell was seemingly unaffected by the Top Cow Rebirth.

– Our hero is determined to fix the mess that Jackie Estacado made.

Set in a dystopian future populated by enhanced humans, conflict rages between freedom fighters and their corporate oppressors.  But that’s a typical day in Millennium City.

Morgan Stryker, previous leader of Cyber Force:

It’s my responsibility.  I’m sorry.

Continuing her adventures away from home, Velocity has now seen first hand what CDI is capable of.  Meanwhile we get a glimpse at some of the newly written history and just what the supposedly dead Morgan Stryker is up to these days.

Bullet Points:

• The world is still marching towards its doom.

– After suffering heavy loses Ripclaw and Velocity press on to find the one person who might be able to help them, Stryker.

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, wielder of the Witchblade:

My dad was a cop and a Mets fan.  That’s what I got from him.

Our heroine has had to deal with some rather difficult stuff since her move and she’s more than do for a little rest and relaxation.  So against her better judgment she goes on a date with a magician and things go well for awhile only to be derailed by the truth later on.

Bullet Points:

The Corruption Cataract is an organization featuring all of the random villains our intrepid investigator has run in to.

– The leader is revealed to be, Esquivel Mohamed.

It was an interesting month that was without everyone’s favorite Mafioso, but nonetheless the wheels of this universe kept turning.  We finally found out who is behind the Corruption Cataract and the questions of the Top Cow Rebirth deepened in Artifacts.  Where it all goes from here is in all honesty up in the air but I’m thoroughly excited to find out.

In JanuaryTop Cow fans can look forward to starting 2013 with the continuing exploits of Tom Judge in Artifacts #24, further details regarding the newly re-envisioned cast of characters in Cyber Force #3, go further into “Breaking Dark“ via The Darkness #109 and enjoy a massive collision with “The Corruption Cataract” in Witchblade #163.

Artifacts #23

Written By: Ron Marz

Art By: Stjepan Sejic

Cover By: Stjepan Sejic

Description: “TRUTHS & DESTINIES,” PART 2

Tom Judge’s training as a priest did not prepare him for the horrors he’s seen as a special investigator for the FBI. But Tom’s current case – an unholy combination of the supernatural and murder most foul – is beyond anything he’s ever experienced, and even the powerful Artifact he wields, the Rapture, won’t be enough to save him.

Bottom Line: Artifacts #23 is simply a hard hitting release that offers a somber but fitting conclusion.  Recommended.

Click here to read the full review.

Cyber Force #2

Written By: Marc Silvestri and Matt Hawkins

Art By: Khoi Pham

Covers By: Marc Silvestri and Stjepan Sejic

Description: TOP COW’S TOP-SELLING SERIES OF ALL TIME CONTINUES IN ITS GROUND-BREAKING RELAUNCH! APHRODITE V DEBUTS!

For the first time in history, mankind is outpacing evolution. It takes nature thousands of years to adapt to changes and the things humanity has accomplished technologically in just the past 100 years has thrown its ability to evolve, and in turn survive, completely out of whack. In other words, a world full of wonders and conveniences is being created that none will hope to survive. This dilemma is at the heart of what CYBER FORCE is all about.

The massive corporation CDI continues to engineer technologically enhanced humans. Cyber Force, terrorists or resistance fighters depending on your point of view, try and regroup and reveal the conspiracy that is behind the heart of CDI and its mission. Aphrodite V and Stryker make their debut!

Bottom Line: Cyber Force #2 is a very sturdy continuation that suffers a bit from an overabundance of narration, but between the awesome art and solid development this issue more than earns a recommendation.

Click here to read the full review.

Witchblade #162

Written By: Tim Seeley

Art By: Diego Bernard and Fred Benes

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

Description: “BLACK CAT”

Sara Pezzini finally relents to Cain Jorgenson’s advances and agrees to a date at a baseball game in this date night issue of WITCHBLADE! But as usual, the Witchblade’s tendency to attract weirdness like a magnet will draw out Chicago’s supernatural corruption… even at Wrigley Field.

Bottom Line: Witchblade #162 is a somewhat solid outing that continues to build on its continuing narrative.  And despite some mishandled dialogue and some truly off moments is still squeaks by with a recommendation.

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, suggestions or general ideas in the comments section below.

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