Written by Ron Marz
Art by Stjepan Sejic & Troy Peteri
Cover Art by Stjepan Sejic
SUMMARY:
Published by Top Cow Productions-Image Comics for August 2010, guest star Necromancer’s diary narrates “The Demon Within.” Visiting New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met) on a class trip, teenage Abigail “Abby” Van Alstine faints witnessing a nude stranger’s gory suicide with a mystical knife known as the Weaver’s Blade. Privately interviewed by NYPD Detective Sara “Witchblade” Pezzini, Abby admits her existence as the sorceress, Necromancer. Briefly resurrecting the naked victim, Abby discovers his possession by the demonic Beelaroth. The unexpected return of the monstrous demon, Mali, forces a violent face-off vs. new allies Necromancer & Witchblade.
REVIEW:
Writer Ron Marz’s well-written story resembles a back-door TV pilot episode where a guest character is set up for a possible spin-off. In this instance, the script excels at assimilating Necromancer into Sara Pezzini’s mystically violent world. The post-story follow-up by Bryan Rountree is certainly insightful, too. Supporting Marz’s storyline once more are artist Stjepan Sejic’s top-caliber digital paintings (including a great cover image). Though this team-up is punctuated by profanity and grisly mayhem, Witchblade # 137 is an entertaining adults-only read where Sara witnesses Abby’s macabre powers up close.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
First is a quick series synopsis, including Sara’s recent encounter with treacherous cyborg assassin Aphrodite IV. A full-page cover reveal of Witchblade # 143 is included. There is also a single-page column entitled “A Tryst with the Dead: Necromancer,” by Top Cow publishing assistant Bryan Rountree. The issue ends with a five-page color preview of Sara’s cross-over participation in Artifacts # 1.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8½ Stars
