Top Cow Productions 2015
This is a collection of stories from the 2013 Talent hunt runner-up’s.
Rubber Red
Written by Jonathan Duran
Illustrated by Fernando Argosino
Coloured by Chris Northrop
Rubber Red is a Witchblade story and quite honestly kudos on who decided this one needed to be the lead. Fernando and Chris have skills that immediately grab your attention and really fit well into the Top Cow Universe. I’m kind of blown away because the red rubber mask he wears is both creepy and totally S&M inspired.
The story itself was pretty darn impressive too I love that we see Sara as a cop not relying upon the Witchblade here but her own skills that make her that NYPD Detective she really is first and foremost. Then Jonathan goes and gives it a twist and firmly plants it in her supernatural wheelhouse. I hope that Matt and company decide that these guys need to be doing a mini-series at least whether if focuses on Sara and the Witchblade and a continuation of this character and what drives and influences him.
What a perfect way to start a book showcasing up and coming talent and leaving the audience wanting from them!
A Heartfelt Offer
Written by Jonny Hinkle
Illustrated by Demetres Panayides
A Heartfelt Offer is the middle story and honestly this kind of artwork turns me off. So not a fan and the old woman just threw me off. It was so distracting for me I didn’t want to pay attention to the words and it took more than a few moments to figure out who this woman doctor was. Page Sixteen where Rachel is in this pose lost me for good and made skip everything else that body was so out of proportion and oddly shaped it just made me move on.
This was nothing like the young woman with the Heartstone who when she was introduced sparked my curiosity.
Only Darkness
Written by Francois Soriano
Illustrated by Juan Luis Rincon
Coloured by Chris Northrop
Only Darkness, can you guess which character this centers on, was a nice way to finish off the book. Start strong and end strong and hope the middle can carry itself (which for me it didn’t). The only thing I wish was we’d seen what era this story is supposed to take place in, it kind of looks like Vietnam to me but I really can’t tell.
A young Vincent Estacado goes into what looks like a hole in the side of a mountain or hill and comes out forever changed. With a tad more simplistic comic book art style it works for this story in this setting and in this era. It also does nice things once we see Vinny finally wearing the Darkness as a whole.
Francois really nails the essence of the family and the Darkness and how it chooses it’s bearer. I’m really pleased with the short story he told here and honestly I’d like to see more of him and this adventure that got started here. To see someone get the Darkness so freshly and as unprepared for it as he in the midst of a war it just has so much promise and potential. Again along with Juan Luis and Chris i’d love to see them have the chance to revisit this and expand upon it.
I love that Top Cow showcases new talent and goes out of it’s way to give people a chance to do what they enjoy and hopefully audiences will react and help them find a firm footing in the industry and continue to grow and evolve.