In this, the most recent issue for the Artifacts line, we see Finch and Dani stumbling through the new universe that Jackie Estacado has created -- but something is wrong. As they explore their relationship with each other, both are unaware that a battle rages on a different front. As the danger increases, Finch -- the new Angelus -- shows us she may not have what it takes to be a bearer.

This story is an important part of the Artifacts storyline because it's a crucial plot point that builds the new narrative. Fast-paced with gorgeous, realistic art, if you're following the series you'll want to see what happens here.

paul dini's name caught my eye on this title. i've liked pieces he's written in the past.

professional art and coloring, solid writing, a mysterious woman who takes many guises, bio-engineered heroes/villains, cybernetically enhanced humans and an organization that wants to use their talents as assassins. there was enough of a story to tell where the writer is headed. what's not to like?

this is a full issue, unlike many free issues that introduce the concept of the title without giving you a story strong enough to hang your coat on, to hopefully get you to sign up to subsequent issues. You get a chance to make a well informed evaluation/decision.

I liked it. plain and simple.

This book is engaging, compelling, and skillfully crafted. That's the quick "I only have one sentence" review.

Beyond that, Think Tank vol. 1 is one of the most carefully crafted books I have ever read. Writer Matt Hawkins gives us a technological thriller, made more frightening by the plausibility of the tale. The military has tech and secrets that we can barely dream about. Hawkins gives us a peek into a grim reality that is present, not future.

Artist Rahsan Ekedal is at his best, and his panels compliment the writing very well. You may remember his deeply emotional characters in the Graphic Novel Echoes. He takes a bold forward step with his work in Think Tank.

Your enjoyment of Think Tank is directly proportional to the time you spend reading it. If you can take your time, soak in the words, drink in the art, you will be rewarded.

Think Tank vol. 1 also is a good choice to give to other readers. The story is accessible and short enough to avoid intimidation. I would recommend this book as an engaging escape that'll also influence how you look at the world around us.

Artifacts continues to be one of the solid monthly books being created. With Artifacts #23, it is the art which takes center stage. Sejic is a master at digital painting, and this issue is a showcase for his remarkable storytelling and striking action scenes. Nobody can render demons in action in the same way, with the same kinetic energy.

In this issue Tom Judge battles a demon both as the Rapture and again as a priest in an exorcism. It is remarkable when Judge actually acts as a priest, and the resulting scene is compelling and intense, despite displaying what seems to be an established ritual.

Enjoyable read, and a feast for the eyes.

Big fan of the series. Collected it when it first came out and this book is just as great!!! Can't wait to read more issues!!!

Artifacts #22 begins a new arc with a teaser: a mystic and horrifying tragedy takes place between a priest and a parishioner in a confessional booth. Even though this is a dream in the mind of Tom Judge, can the return of the Magdalena be far behind?

The meat of the story begins with Tom Judge (the Rapture) and Tilly Grimes investigating a ritualistic killing in Washington D.C. Along the way, Tom confronts the workings of hell as the fully enabled Rapture. A lot of action is blended with the mystery here.

This issue has everything that Top Cow does best these days. Well written stories filled with the supernatural, touching on horror, and firmly rooted in the mystery of how this universe came to be. Mix in Stjepan Sejic's gorgeously painted panels, and you have a book worth reading and re-reading.

This book might surprise you. If the description doesn't not hook you, the execution of the story will.

The main character, David Loren, is a believable mix of gifted intellect and sensible lethargy. This man is years ahead of his colleagues in logical thought and technological creativity. With these gifts, it makes sense that he would be arrogant and unafraid of authority. As a result, we follow somebody who takes risks that give us a start. His brilliance makes us admire him while his treatment by authority makes us root for him.

Writer Matt Hawkins has a refreshing command of the language, turning phrases that are natural and correct. It is notable that his script avoids common errors in comics today (he writes "a whole other" instead of the easily mistaken "a whole nother," for example). Beyond that, his experience comes through in the structure of the story. The writing sets the pace, and i found myself reading more carefully as the book went on. This wasn't due to the word count; it was the natural flow of the issue.

It takes a special effort to get me to read a book steeped in science. Hawkins tricked me into it, though. The story begins with a profile of this overachieving scientist who happens to be an under-performer. It can be easy to admire somebody who lives like they are on a permanent vacation. From there, however, you get an introduction to fascinating and frightening technologies that may already be in military hands. Midway through, you are compelled to understand more of the details. You'll go back and refresh yourself on F=ma.

Artist Rahsan Ekedal is an emerging talent, best known for his work on Echoes by Joshua Hale Fialkov. With Think Tank, he has taken a noticeable step up in his storytelling and execution. There is good movement in the story, and he does a solid job expressing the emotions and subtext in his figures and faces. A good test of success is how well you can recall the story when flipping through the artwork alone. This art passes that test.

Think Tank is unsettling. It is plausible. And it's good comics. Some of the mainstream books I buy take only 5 minutes to read. This book will take more of your time, and you'll be glad for it.

Don't bet against the old tough guy with all the chips stacked against him.

Sunset succeeds. It takes themes and characterizations that we've seen before and makes them fresh.

The story starts at the end. A former mob enforcer, Nick, lives the quiet life in the sunset of his years. Yet, the boss he screwed over is out of prison and more powerful than ever. When he comes after Nick, the fireworks begin.

I was ready to dismiss this book as a rehash, yet writer Christos Gage grabbed me early on. In fact, I read this graphic novel in the span of one day because I wanted more.

I'm not usually a fan of strict photorealism in comics, but there was a lot to like about the artwork of Jorge Lucas. Instead of feeling stiff or photoshopped, the characters were engaging and alive. So often this style can come across as stiff and lifeless. That's what happens when there is mere tracing or manipulation. Instead, Lucas complimented the script with the main character in each panel. Occasionally, a supporting character will come across as a translated photograph, but the focal point of action continually showed a spark of life. It makes for an interesting mix of photorealistic backgrounds and active motion.

I read the first chapter of this book in color, having been printed in the Top Cow First Look trade paperback. I was not sure how well this would come across in black and white. Minotaur Press made the right decision. The lack of colors really support the gritty nature of the characters. Even with the harsh blacks that result, the book may have been dragged down by colors that would either smooth things out or make them too shadowy. Instead, the harsh world comes through.

If you want a nice, complete break in your regular reading, slip in Sunset. It's a book that you'll read again someday.

If only I could rate a comic with 6 stars instead of just 5.

Artifacts #18 has been the most fun book of the series to date, including the original 13 issue storyline. Ron Marz created a book full of character twists, surprises, and the return of fun Darklings. Stjepan Sejic paints beautiful artwork, whether it is a tender love scene or a horrific fight panel. This book is well worth your attention.

There is some adult content in the book, both sensual and violent, but it is all in keeping with the mature rating of the series. This is a book for mature readers, and it stands well on its own.

It is worth checking out, since Marz is solid when it comes to writing for the first time reader. If you haven't read Artifacts (or a Top Cow Universe book) before, you'll still enjoy and follow the story.

There are many reasons to buy this Graphic Novel.

The artwork is beautiful throughout. Plus, you get more than just the gorgeous painted pages by Stjepan Sejic, you also get varied art styles - different, but no less stunning - from Luke Ross, Kevin Nowlan, Stephen Sadowski, Rick Leonardi, and more.

If you are interested in the Artifacts story, this is essential preparatory reading. If you have already read Artifacts, then this book will help you appreciate it even more. Important character development takes place. Events take place that set the table for the Artifacts storyline. It's an important book in the Top Cow Universe.

The writing is terrific. Ron Marz is a master at writing compelling stories where you are never lost about who somebody is or why they are in the scene. We get some bonus writing from a couple of Phil Hester short stories in the back.

Want to know more about Witchblade, Darkness, Angelus, and the Magdalena? This book has solid information and stories featuring all 4 of these important Artifacts.

While this is a serviceable issue, it is better as the last chapter of the full series than it is as a single book. As a single issue, it has good action, solid pacing, and an interesting wrap-up to the story. But Netherworld as a whole is a fresh take on some common themes in comics and sci-fi.

There was a page or two where the artwork seemed rushed, but the layouts and storytelling stayed true to the series. Now that it is complete, it is worth grabbing this story as a trade or complete set of 5 issues.

It is clear that this team is ready to tell more stories about this world and it's main character. I'll be interested to know what kind of twists that they can create, since the real fun of Netherworld was in figuring out what the place really was and how the characters got there.

I cannot praise Rising Stars highly enough. Just be forewarned that if you were hoping to download this to an iPad through Safari/Atomic that it just isn't going to happen. It'll crash half way through every time. Downloading this was a beast and I had to put it through my desktop and then send it to my device using GoodReader.

Rising Stars is a super hero story - just not the kind you probably grew up on. The Specials are a group of 113 kids in utero exposed to an unexplained flash of brilliant light above Pedersen, Illinois. Shortly after their births it became apparent that the flash caused a change in these children, changes that brought about unexplainable abilities. Like any other children, they had capacities for both good and bad, they formed cliques, they grew up. But their powers came with some problems, some more profound problems than others, and when they begin to be murdered, a secret comes out that will change all of their lives and send the world into an uproar the likes of which has never been seen.

The story ran a good six years and this collects all of them. This book was a game changer for me in college, and it presents a world where super heroes and reality converge. I recommend this book for just about everybody - late teens and up.

Yes! Dragon Prince #1 is an "all ages" book that doesn't feel like one! It just reads like a good comic fantasy story. The comic book landscape has widened to include some really good choices for kids, but it's always a treat to find a book that can be enjoyed by adults and kids alike.

The story is set up well by Ron Marz, and the art by Lee Moder is terrific. The graphics translate well to the pdf format.

In retrospect, the story has some predictable elements. On your first read, however, you aren't necessarily expecting or predicting some of the twists and turns that take place.

The first issue makes a good promise for a fun series. We have plenty of tension and fighting yet to come!

Great art, the story was mostly a recap but that was expected. overall a decent read.

The "jumping on" point continues . . . even without Artifacts #14, Ron Marz does a good job helping people understand what's going on. As we have seen, the world is changed dramatically thanks to Jackie Estacado. The new reality is fragile, and it's all cracking apart around Tom Judge.

Amazing art and storytelling. Great action. Character development. Artifacts brings it all.