LOS ANGELES 08/22/2024 — Image Comics is pleased to reveal an exciting Witchblade 1:25 copy incentive homage variant showcasing artwork by the legendary Marc Silvestri, and paying homage to his iconic Uncanny X-Men #251 cover. This variant sees Silvestri revisiting one of his most famous covers and will grace the cover of Witchblade #3, penned by New York Times bestselling writer Marguerite Bennett (Animosity, Batwoman, DC Bombshells), drawn by fan-favorite artist Giuseppe Cafaro (Suicide Squad, Power Rangers, Red Sonja), out from Image Comics/Top Cow Productions next month.
The longtime popular cover saw a spike in buzz online after the release of Marvel's Deadpool and Wolverine movie last month. Social media buzz ballooned with excitement as fans caught the reference in a scene that replicates the imagery with Hugh Jackman's character nailed to the "X."
“The new Witchblade series came out the same month as Deadpool and Wolverine, and since then we have been contacted by comic book fans non-stop about the cover," said Silvestri. "Our fans mean so much to us, and we thought that this would be a great way to pay homage to them for support of my work and Top Cow through the years.”
Eric Stephenson, Chief Creative Officer & Publisher at Image Comics, added: “I stopped reading comics in high school around ‘85, and seeing that issue of X-Men was what got me interested in checking comics out again four years later. It’s such a powerful image and, apart from being my own personal introduction to Marc’s work, it’s one of my all-time favorite covers!”
In Witchblade #3, Sara Pezzini grapples with the deadly powers of the Witchblade while corrupt cops, human traffickers, and supernatural conspiracies tighten the noose around her neck. A terrifying new hunter emerges in the form of Ian Nottingham, but is he here to save her, sabotage her—or seduce her?
The highly successful Witchblade relaunch debuted last month with orders totaling nearly 100K—making it the highest Top Cow launch in over a decade and teeing the tentpole title up for more thrilling reveals leading into its 30th anniversary next year.
Bennett and Cafaro are working closely with Top Cow CEO, Image Comics co-founder, and original Witchblade co-creator, Marc Silvestri, to reintroduce this popular action-packed, crime noir series to longtime die-hard fans and new readers alike. This new Witchblade features a reimagined origin, with contemporary takes on familiar characters, as well as fresh story arcs to hook new fans and rekindle the energy and excitement that fueled the '90s Image Revolution.
Witchblade #3 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, September 18:
- Cover A Giuseppe Cafaro & Arif Prianto - Lunar Code 0724IM431
- Cover B David Mack - Lunar Code 0724IM432
- Cover C 1:25 copy incentive Silvestri homage - Lunar Code 0724IM896
Witchblade #3 will also be available across many digital platforms, including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play.
ABOUT WITCHBLADE
Witchblade is a comic book series published by Top Cow Productions, which ran from November 1995 to October 2015 and December 2017 to January 2020. The series was created by Marc Silvestri, David Wohl, Brian Haberlin, and Michael Turner. The comic series was made into a TNT television series in 2001 and was directed by Ralph Hemecher and starred Yancy Butler as Sara Pezzini. Later, Top Cow and Japanese animation studio Gonzo produced an anime adaptation of Witchblade, which debuted in 2006.
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