Written by Ron Marz
Art by Matthew Dow Smith; Nathan Fairbairn; & Troy Peteri
Cover Art by Stjepan Sejic
SUMMARY:
Entitled “Upstate, Part I,” this issue was published by Top Cow Productions-Image Comics for February 2011. NYPD Detective Patrick Gleason meets Deputy Kate Rooney, as she’s his local contact at a rural courthouse. Gleason is there because he has been assigned a prisoner pick-up of ghoulish hitman Vincent “No Prints” Petramale and escort him back to Manhattan. No explanation is given why Gleason doesn’t have a security detail with him for this prisoner transport. In grisly fashion, the two cops encounter the courthouse jail’s homicidal ghosts. Fleeing for their lives, Gleason & Mooney must bring a suspiciously tranquil Petramale with them.
REVIEW:
Though the art team’s surprisingly rudimentary visuals are disappointing, the cliffhanger last page is well-played. Also, the creepy cover image by artist Stjepan Sejic (who could have done far better interior visuals than the assigned artists) certainly conveys the necessary impression to readers. Omitting Witchblade herself, writer Ron Marz smartly plots an intriguing solo adventure for Patrick Gleason’s own paranormal encounters. Deliberate or not, Petramale’s creepy Lex Luthor-style look is an inspired choice. For Witchblade fans, even without great artwork, this issue is still worth perusing.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
The first page is a current summary explaining Sara Pezzini and Patrick Gleason’s partnership as cops and as a romantic couple. There is a full-page cover reveal for Witchblade # 143. A single-page profile entitled “Patrick Gleason: A Man Among Gods” is solidly penned by Top Cow publishing assistant Bryan Rountree. A five-page color preview of Artifacts # 5 is also included, as cyborg Aphrodite IV interrupts Cyberforce’s pizza party.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6½ Stars
