Witchblade #1

Writer: Caitlin Kittredge Artist: Roberta Ingranata Publisher: Image Comics Release Date: December 6, 2017 Cover Price: $3.99 Critic Reviews: 25 User Reviews: 8
8.0Critic Rating
6.9User Rating

"LIFE AFTER," Part One
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 fi more

  • 10
    The Fandom Post - Richard Gutierrez Dec 6, 2017

    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. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Lyles Movie Files - Pierre Brown Dec 6, 2017

    Witchblade receives the feminist prose and much more personal grasp it deserves and I look forward to what Kittredge and Ingranata will give readers next year. Read Full Review

  • 9.7
    Comicsverse - AJ Zender Dec 26, 2017

    Despite some slightly confused plotlines, WITCHBLADE #1 is a fantastic comic book. With a stellar female cast and a potent and clean art style, this book is worthy of the Top Cow stamp. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Comicosity - Chris Campbell Dec 6, 2017

    If you are a Witchblade fan then forget everything you know before you open the book. For good or bad it will allow you to judge this story on its own merits. The work that Kittredge and Ingranata have put into this issue is more than obvious and may end up being more memorable than the originals legacy. They have captured and injected a world of emotion into these pages bringing this property out of the 90s and into the modern times. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    The Pop Break - Alisha Weinberger Dec 7, 2017

    The boobs, gore, and occult horror may take the back burner in this premier issue, detouring some traditionalist fans of the series. The first issue reads more as a detective noir with little action, but complimented by Ingranata's eye for bleak color palettes and cinematic panel composition. Readers, new or old, should stay for Kittredge's more relevant and humanized Witchblade host, who tackles trauma and domestic violence, appealing to the title's feminist quality without the typical, flat "badass female protagonist" trope. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    Comic Book Corps - Pierre Arnette Dec 6, 2017

    Caitlin Kittredge and Roberta Ingranata absolutely hit a homerun with this first issue of Witchblade. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    SnapPow.com - Harrison Rawdin Dec 7, 2017

    Witchblade #1 really is a great start with a fresh twist! The creative team has something on their hands that, if handled right, could bring back an entire comic book universe that's been missed on many pull-lists. And if this inaugural outing is any indication I'm eager to see where they take the franchise and this new bearer in the months to come, as there's more than a few narrative seeds put to soil that are worth exploring. Read Full Review

  • 8.2
    Monkeys Fighting Robots - Manny Gomez Dec 6, 2017

    'Witchblade' #1 proves that a solid concept can never die, especially with the right creative force behind it. This classic property of modern comics has found the perfect team in Kittredge, Ingranta, and Valenza. This team reinvigorates the 'urban fantasy' genre for a whole new comic book reading audience. Read Full Review

  • 8.1
    Geeked Out Nation - Jideobi Odunze Dec 6, 2017

    Witchblade #1 was a solid start to a new vessel to this host. Alex Underwood is a character who hasn't seemed to have the best luck in making a big difference, but with the power she is now granted, maybe that luck will turn around? For better or for worse her life has changed completely. From here it is all about seeing what Alex does with this power and this threat that would love nothing more than to see her dead before she becomes too strong. Read Full Review

  • 8.1
    Entertainment Fuse - Ruben Gonzalez Jan 13, 2018

    Overall I liked this new take on Witchblade. I like Alex's nuanced personality and clear motivations. Here's hoping that transformed armor looks good when the witchblade comes into full play. I think old fans will like this new run if they don't come expecting Michael Turner artwork. Read Full Review

  • 8.1
    IGN - Kat Calamia Dec 7, 2017

    Witchblade #1 is a great, character -driven narrative that literally gets inside the main character's head, but the series needs to work on its structure if it wants to meet its full potential. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    ComicBuzz - Tony Thornley Dec 6, 2017

    In the end, a great return and revival for a classic concept. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comic Bastards - Justin McCarty Dec 6, 2017

    Top Cow probably couldn't have picked a better team for this book. It comes together very well. Witchblade volume two has an opportunity to surpass the original. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comic Crusaders - Johnny "The Machine" Hughes Dec 7, 2017

    Fans of this character will probably be divided; they will either love or hate the new version on show, Is it old or new? Sara or Alex? Looking back at the previous reviews regarding Witchblade, I certainly came to the party late as the book I saw leave the stand two years ago, was certainly nowhere near the quality of the book whenit started. Maybe it is time to leave the previous 185 issues and take this book for what it is trying to be; which really depends on your point of view. Is it a new book living of the coat tails of its past, or like Alex, is it a book that is trying to forge ahead regardless of its past?Whichever is your perception, the truth of the book is that it is an enjoyable little re-introduction to a type of world that has been missing from the comic racks. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Doom Rocket - Courtney Ryan Dec 4, 2017

    Witchblade #1 is a visually rich entry into a story that explores how a traumatized mind overcomes its scars to accept a heroic fate. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Graphic Policy - christopher scott author Dec 6, 2017

    It's been too long since we last saw Witchblade with some false starts, but it's nice to see any take and especially one that works so well in its debut issue. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comics Bulletin - Daniel Gehen Dec 5, 2017

    Witchblade #1 kicks off a new era for Top Cow's flagship title. With a new creative team and a brand new vision, the series looks to shed any lasting remnants of its 1990s reputation and become a bastion for strong, empowered female creators and characters. The artwork is fully engaging and lively without succumbing to the expected, exploitative depictions of women. This debut issue provides a strong foundation that Kittredge, Ingranata, and Valenza can hopefully build upon for a long, long time. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    The Brazen Bull - Charlie Chipman Dec 6, 2017

    Witchblade is back! Witchblade (2017) #1 is both accessible to new readers and rewarding to those well-versed in all things Witchblade. The females leading this team each produce stellar work that leaves me feeling confident that this series will continue to impress. Read Full Review

  • 7.8
    Outright Geekery - William Pace Dec 3, 2017

    Roberta Ingranata (Grim Fairy Tales) has a flair and style all her own, I liked her art, it will take some time to get used to associating Witchblade with anyone else but Marc Silvestri, but hey, twenty years is a long time. It hasn't been a series for a few years now so I think Roberta will feel the love of Witchblade fans new and old alike. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Comics: The Gathering - Olivier Roth Dec 8, 2017

    Unfortunately, that is pretty much all I can talk about this issue without going into spoiler territory. What I can say is, the art by Ingranata is beautiful with great color contributions from Valenza. The art helps bring home the impact of the story within the pages and really makes me want to read more. Though the story is a little bit paint-by-numbers as to how Alex will become the witchblade, it is still enjoyable in Kittredge’s great use of foreshadowing throughout. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Newsarama - Joey Edsall Dec 8, 2017

    It's a very post-Jessica Jones comic, but the juxtaposition of the trauma-centric themes with the urban fantasy setting make this a comic with a lot of potential. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    Weird Science - Andrew McAvoy Dec 9, 2017

    Bits and Pieces:This book has a good story, although I have to confess that the concept was lost on me on first read and it was only second time round that I was able to work out what had happened. Some of the time-jumps aren't fully explained so there is a bit of flicking back and forth to see if you have followed the story points correctly. So a little bit of neatening up could have helped the story flow. Aside from that, by the end of the book I was intrigued, and bedazzled by some amazing artwork. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Pop Culture Uncovered - Adam Frey Nov 29, 2017

    So, is the new Witchblade going to be any good? I have no idea. It's not your younger teenage self's Witchblade, and changing markets probably won't let that kind of book exist again anytime soon. This one's competent, but will probably need a few more issues to give a clear idea what it's supposed to be about. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Spartantown - Enrique Rea Dec 10, 2017

    'Witchblade' is a legacy title that has historically delivered great characters and thrilling action. Its mythos goes back over twenty years. The universe is rich with different factions fighting for control. In this latest chapter of the Witchblade saga is off to a familiar but explosive start. It should appeal to longtime fans and new ones if given the chance over the course of the first arc.  Read Full Review

  • 5.7
    Multiversity Comics - Elias Rosner Dec 7, 2017

    A fantastic and intriguing first page attempts to hide the piecemeal, confusing first chapter of this new Witchblade series that really could have used a more coherent core and a second chapter directly afterwards. Read Full Review

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