Witchblade Comics: A Comprehensive Primer
Not to be confused with the trashy D-movie franchise known as Witchcraft, Witchblade is one of the most intriguing and visually attractive comic book properties we've come across in quite some time. And don't knock Witchcraft until you try it. Back on topic ...
Primarily published by Top Cow Productions, an imprint of Image Comics, Witchblade enjoyed a run of nearly two decades, debuting in November 1995 and finally concluding in October 2015. The original series featured an ensemble cast of comic book innovators, with Marc Silvestri, David Wohl, Brian Haberlin, Christina Z, and artist Michael Turner all credited as creators.
The series follows Sara Pezzini, an NYPD homicide detective who comes into possession of the Witchblade, a powerful artifact that provides her with an array of powers, which she, of course, wields to fight off supernatural forces of evil. These powers include enhanced strength, speed, and reflexes, in addition to the adaptive armor the Witchblade forges onto her body.
The witchblade can be considered a character in and of itself. You see, it is a sentient gauntlet, born from the primal forces of the universe, that chooses its bearer and then forms a symbiotic bond with the user ... sort of like some Venom ish. The process is rather selective as it only bonds with female hosts.
Witchblade has delivered many compelling story arcs over the years, many of which focus on Sara’s struggle to control the powers of the Witchblade, confrontations with various supernatural entities, and the balance between her personal life and her responsibilities as the artifact’s bearer. Sara's ongoing development and the mythology of the witchblade itself drive the many narratives that play out across the series.
A new Witchblade series was released in December of 2017, complete with a new creative team headed up by writer Caitlin Kittredge and artist Roberta Ingranata. In the revamped version, the witchblade bonds with Alex Underwood, a trouble young journalist it finds after she is shot and essentially killed by an abusive New York police officer. Imbued with fantastical abilities, Alex battles corrupt cops, ruthless mobsters, and ghastly monsters destined to pry the coveted artifact from her possession.
Witchblade has also spread its wings beyond the comic pages and into various other media. In 2001, TNT aired a live action TV series adaption that featured actress Yancy Butler playing the role of Sara Pezzini. The series produced a total of 24 episodes across two seasons.
In 2006, Witchblade was adapted into an anime and manga series sharing the same continuity. Though set in the same universe as the original series, both the anime and manga featured different characters and plots, setting the stage in Japan rather than New York City.
Dark, sexy, and action packed, Witchblade has been influential in the comic book industry. The series is known for its blend of the supernatural and detective genres, strong female leads, and dynamic storytelling. It remains a significant work for fans of the genre and continues to attract new readers with its relaunches and adaptations.
If you're a fan of Vamperotica, Glory, or Lady Death, you'll probably get a strong kick out of Witchblade.