The spooky season is in full effect and Top Cow jumps into this season with a special from the world of Witchblade. The Samhain Special asks what if A Christmas Carol took place on Halloween, only had ghosts from the past, and was set in the incredible world of Witchblade? Well, when you add an all-star team of writers and artists, magic is what happens!
Witchblade: Samhain Special #1 - Written By Ryan Cady, Matt Hawkins, and Marc Silvestri – Art By Pat Boutin & Laura Braga – Colors By Gibran Ferdian – Letters By Troy Peteri – Edited By Marc Silvestri, Matt Hawkins, and Ryan Cady – Published By Top Cow Productions/Image Comics
Credit: Top Cow Productions/Image Comics
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
WRITING:
On the surface this special is an anthology with three different stories and creative teams. However, because it flows together so well it feels more like a single issue with three parts. Ryan Cady, Matt Hawkins, and Marc Silvestri provide the writing in this special and they all tackle the theme of teaching the current wielder of the Witchblade, Sara, some much needed advice from wielders of the past. Each previous Witchblade holder has her own perspective and things they’ve learned. Leonor forewarns that you cannot always trust the intentions of the blade and that it becomes a burden. Whereas Esma doesn’t look at the blade as a burden at all. She thinks it’s a blessing that should be cherished until your time with it is up. Finally, Tatyana ties all the messages together, well telling a kickass tale of killing Nazi’s and Hitler.
ARTWORK:
The artwork in this special is fantastic and captures the world of Witchblade no matter the era. Pat Boutin & Laura Braga bring their respective sections and eras to life in this special. The time periods look and feel different, well still holding on to what makes this series so special. The settings are stunning, but so aren’t the character designs and action that are displayed in the tales. My personal favorite art sequence is from Boutin in The Witch of Leningrad, seeing Tatyana slay Nazi’s and kill Hitler was a real dope and gory set of pages. Gibran Ferdian’s colors tie it all together and really make the artwork pop. Well, Troy Peteri’s lettering keeps the reader on track and makes the stories easy to follow.
CHECK OUT OUR INTERVIEW WITH RYAN CADY
Final Thoughts:
Witchblade: Samhain Special #1 is a spooky-season treat that brings three distinct tales together into one satisfying read. Cady, Hawkins, and Silvestri give Sara more than ghost stories, they offer different perspectives on the power she carries and the burden or blessing it can become. Boutin and Braga bring each era to life, while Ferdian’s colors and Peteri’s lettering keep the issue feeling cohesive. With supernatural atmosphere, kickass action, and a thoughtful look at the Witchblade’s legacy, this special delivers. If you’re looking for a Halloween read with some bite, pick up a copy at your LCS.
FINAL GRADE: 9/10
Let me know your thoughts on Witchblade: Samhain Special #1 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
