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romanjones's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
aceinit's review against another edition
5.0
I’ve been reading Top Cow almost since its inception, and Witchblade and The Darkness almost since their first issues. I’ve followed The Cow through Aphrodite IX and then Aphrodite IV, through so many Magdalenas I lost count, and through Tom Judge and the ill-fated first mega-crossover event, Universe. So when they announced their mega Artifacts crossover, I was nervous. Would this be another one of those huge events that got halfway finished then fell off the earth, never to be heard from again? Was it going to be another cheesy S&M horror-fest like one of their Darkness/Witchblade crossovers? Or would Top Cow finally get it right and it would be awesome?
As it turns out, it was the last one. The first Artifacts arc left me riveted, but after we reached the end game and the universe reset—quite literally—I was wary again. I’d followed these characters for so long that I didn’t know if I wanted to see them rebooted. What can I say...I fear change.
The second major Artifacts arc, contained in this volume, is a beautiful beginning to the new Top Cow. All of the familiar faces have changed—some more than others—and it is interesting to see everyone in their new roles. Some old faces, such as necromancer Abby Van Alstine, are gone, replaced by completely new characters. Others, such as former Angelus Danielle Baptiste have filled gaps left by other prominent characters whose lives have moved on in new directions. Some characters retained their original artifacts. Some did not. And there are still quite a few well-known characters who have yet to make appearances.
Marz does a brilliant job of unveiling the new universe with a storyline that weaves the new and the old, and leaves the fate of quite a few fan favorites unresolved for future issues. Sejic’s art is the perfect companion to the story, and I am so glad that this creative team made the move to what is now arguably Top Cow’s most important series. They complement one another extremely well, and Sejic’s renderings bring life and gravity to Marz’s storytelling. I am extremely curious to see what will become of the three central characters of this arc—familiar faces Jackie Estacado, tom Judge and Tilly Grimes—and how others such as Dani and Finch will fit into their new roles. Rachel is intriguing as well, and it will be interested to see how a rejoined Heart Stone will impact the universe.
I’m very much looking forward to the next installment...and to find out what Artifacts has in store for Aphrodite, Patience and, especially, Sara.
As it turns out, it was the last one. The first Artifacts arc left me riveted, but after we reached the end game and the universe reset—quite literally—I was wary again. I’d followed these characters for so long that I didn’t know if I wanted to see them rebooted. What can I say...I fear change.
The second major Artifacts arc, contained in this volume, is a beautiful beginning to the new Top Cow. All of the familiar faces have changed—some more than others—and it is interesting to see everyone in their new roles. Some old faces, such as necromancer Abby Van Alstine, are gone, replaced by completely new characters. Others, such as former Angelus Danielle Baptiste have filled gaps left by other prominent characters whose lives have moved on in new directions. Some characters retained their original artifacts. Some did not. And there are still quite a few well-known characters who have yet to make appearances.
Marz does a brilliant job of unveiling the new universe with a storyline that weaves the new and the old, and leaves the fate of quite a few fan favorites unresolved for future issues. Sejic’s art is the perfect companion to the story, and I am so glad that this creative team made the move to what is now arguably Top Cow’s most important series. They complement one another extremely well, and Sejic’s renderings bring life and gravity to Marz’s storytelling. I am extremely curious to see what will become of the three central characters of this arc—familiar faces Jackie Estacado, tom Judge and Tilly Grimes—and how others such as Dani and Finch will fit into their new roles. Rachel is intriguing as well, and it will be interested to see how a rejoined Heart Stone will impact the universe.
I’m very much looking forward to the next installment...and to find out what Artifacts has in store for Aphrodite, Patience and, especially, Sara.
atlantiareads's review against another edition
3.0
Wow! I have no idea where this is going. But damn I love this dynamic duo! Ron Marz & Stjepan Sejic are meant to work together. Everything they create together always turns out to be a masterpiece!
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