Written by Paul Jenkins
Art by Keu Cha; D-Tron·; Steve Firchow; Dreamer Design’s Robin Spehar; & Dennis Heisler
Cover Art by Keu Cha; D-Tron·; & Steve Firchow
SUMMARY:
This untitled issue was released by Top Cow Productions/Image Comics for January 2001. NYPD Detectives Sara “Witchblade” Pezzini and Jake McCarthy seek a new lead in a series of gruesome slayings where a demonic Pez dispenser is left behind as the killer’s trademark. Sara warily copes with the predator’s romantic fixation on her. Discovery of the latest victim puts Sara and McCarthy under fire from their boss. The sadistic culprit’s identity is possibly revealed, as a showdown with Witchblade may be imminent.
REVIEW:
Aside from a full page of panels unnecessarily depicting a scantily-clad Sara, both the visuals and the cover image are well-produced. Writer Paul Jenkins’ supernatural serial killer storyline, which openly alludes to both ancient Sumerians and Jack the Ripper, makes for a fairly good read. Though Jenkins’ plotting isn’t remarkable, the Pez dispenser gimmick is at least a novel touch. Witchblade # 44 gets the job done for fantasy-horror fans without reveling in gore.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
The inside front cover’s quick synopsis gets readers caught up. A single-page letters-and-answers column includes two fan images of Witchblade. Beyond cover reveals for The Darkness # 36 and Midnight Nation # 4, there’s lots of ads.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6½ Stars
