I am a scaredy-cat. I avoid horror flicks and haunted houses, and wake up from bumps in the night. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve gotten a little more courageous. I’ve actually watched a scary movie or two, and I even read volume 1 of The Walking Dead. Even so, I stayed away from the really creepy stuff.
Sara Pezzini from Witchblade #1
That is, until I read Witchblade #80, which introduced me to the glorious Top Cow universe.
The difficult thing about reading iconic titles is the amount of history behind them. There’s so much back story to learn, and sometimes you just don’t want to start at the beginning. I did not have that problem with Witchblade. Cop finds magical gauntlet that opens her up to a world of good, evil, and pure insanity? Sign me up, I’ll figure it out as I go along.
The original Witchblade and the current are two very different entities. Sara Pezzini is still a drop dead gorgeous detective with a body to match. Stjepan Sejic draws her in skimpy outfits emphasizing her desirable parts, and the appreciation for the female form is still there. Yet, there is a different feeling to these pages. Ron Marz has turned Sara into a more relatable subject. When we first met Sara Pezzini, she was a smoldering character. You looked at her body first, and her dialogue second, thanks to the incredible Michael Turner. His art is fantastic, and paved the way for many artists today. Sejic kept the sexual elements of Turner’s renditions yet gave Sara a more modern look. Her dresses will always be skimpy, and her killer legs will never disappear. Still, there is a sense of normalcy to her more recent outfits. She even cracks jokes about her famous figure.
Witchblade #93
One of my favorite issues of Marz’s run so far was #93. There are no intense fight scenes, daring rescues, or violent crimes to solve. Sara simply gets to know herself a little better. We see her lamenting her lack of a social life, ordering yet another round of Chinese food, and simply being bored. It allows us to connect with her on a deeper level. As Sara gets older, the storytelling follows suit. Her priorities change, and her life bends to fit this new direction. The murder, mystery and intrigue is still there, but we also see Sara in her quiet, private moments. I feel closer to Sara because I can understand how she feels. When something intertwines itself with you and your life, it worms its way into everything. I can imagine what it would be like to be chosen by an artifact with no say in the matter. Superhero stories are some of my favorites, but it is hard to relate to someone who was born with supernatural abilities. As much as I enjoy reading about Superman, I will always feel closer to a character like Sara. A character that, without the object of power, is just a normal human being.
Introducing a secondary Witchblade bearer was a genius move. This enabled Marz to take Witchblade in a previously unimagined direction. This event humanized Sara even more. Having to deal with another Witchblade bearer pushed Sara to her limits, and helped her realize what she really wanted in her life. Danielle Baptiste was the perfect foil for Sara. Two beautiful, intelligent, strong-willed women fighting for the greater good was a sight to see. The Witchblade now has two bearers, and it affects Sara in ways that she never expected.
Witchblade #93
I adore this series for so many reasons. Sara is a gritty female protagonist who has had her own title since 1995. She held her own as a character that is not the female version of an already established superhero. A puzzling question is what category Sara’s work would fall into. She protects the innocent and keeps the balance between light and dark, both as the bearer and as a cop. Sara deals with mystical subject matter, angels versus demons, and the annoyance of constantly buying new clothes. Vigilante? Good guy? Hero?
Reading Witchblade opened me up to an entirely new avenue of comics. I tore through The Darkness Accursed, and I’m completely fascinated by the Darklings. These titles led me to Artifacts, Broken Trinity, and soon, I will pick up Magdalena. I already bought Witchblade #1-25 to start again from the beginning of the series. I never want this to end! I am thoroughly enjoying getting to know Top Cow and its incredible characters. I will always be a Marvel girl, but Top Cow is quickly gaining ground.
I’ve included a few of my favorite covers below!
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- Witchblade #6, cover by Michael Turner
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- Witchblade #21, cover by Michael Turner
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- Witchblade #87, cover by Chris Bachalo and Adam Hughes
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- Witchblade #101, cover by Mike Choi
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- Witchblade #107, cover by Chris Bachalo and Tim Townsend
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- Witchblade #116, cover by Stjepan Sejic
I love posts like this. It's always awesome to see someone really lay there passions out there. I know we talk a lot about top cow (since Rory and you seem to be the biggest fans, I'll lay my gripes/questions down here.) Every Top Cow book I've read I've actually enjoyed quite a lot. I started with Marz' vol 7 (Crown Heights?) and enjoyed it. My only problem with the series is how women are portrayed. I know you say that it's a celebration of the female form and that it has toned down recently, but it still tends to rub me the wrong way.
I've never been ashamed to read comics in public but anytime I've picked up a Top Cow book, I tend to save it 'til I get home. At first glance some of the pages can look… really sexualized and what not. The two instances I can think of that have really not sat well with me were 1) In Crown Heights, Daniele's relationship with Finch begins. Maybe it gets some depth in later stories, but in that story, it felt really thin and seemed like it was played more for male readers' titillation than actual character progression or story. 2) In Artifacts (which I really dug the first issue of) near the end of the first issue, there is a really random upskirt shot of one of the villains. I feel like if they're claiming to be moving away form that over-sexualized image then they should be doing their best to avoid something like that.
Is this something I just have to get over to enjoy the stories, or are these legitimate complaints?
How do you feel about the sexualization? Is it too much?
Any specific top cow trades you'd recommend someone who wants to read more?
Hope this isn't harshing the buzz of this article. Just trying to start some conversation.
Sexualisation in comics is something that I've gotten used to over time; it's just another facet of the genre that people either ignore or stop reading comics because of. Top Cow's stories are more in the mature line of comics, so I expect that there will be some level of sexual or sensual imagery; however, I've seen Top Cow move steadily away from the more in-your-face titillation over time (unlike some other companies *cough* Star Sapphire *cough*).
If I know the Artifacts image you mean, it looks to me to be more a perspective angle done for effect, which you really can't escape the upskirt view. Again, it's likely a perception thing… I find butt-floss costumes to be more disturbing than the occasional flash of a character's knickers.
For trades, I haven't read much in the way of ongoings outside of The Darkness, but Magdalena's certainly looking interesting. Check out JMS's Midnight Nation too (reviewed here).
Here's my thing with the upskirt panel. I don't know if it's fair to argue that it's a perspective thing since the artist designed that costume and could have lengthened the skirt if he so desired (hell, even just for that panel.) What someone told me is that I wouldn't complain about any of the current Top Cow books if I tracked down any of the earlier issues.
I just read the first issue of Magdalena on Graphic.ly and I plan on getting the other 2 issues they have and grabbing the first trade of the current series. It was a lot of fun.
Almost forgot to mention, does getting used to it mean that we can't expect better from creators? I think it's entirely possible to show a strong, sexy female character without her being half naked and put in compromising positions (I mean, that part throws the whole strong female character right out of the window.) I know witchblade is no "Tarot: Witch of the Black Rose" just thought it was worth discussing.
Oh, forgot to mention that the Witchblade anime is currently streaming on Netflix. Figured you might like to give it a shot.
I don't mind the sexualization in Witchblade because I think it really adds to the story. If they took away the tight clothes and the boobs, it wouldn't be Witchblade anymore. They've done a great job of modernizing Sara and making her more modest, while keeping the essence of the old character. I see people complaining about companies re-making a character and losing the original feeling, so I can imagine if they did that with Sara there would be an outcry. Plus, if Witchblade was starting now instead of in 1995, things would definitely be different.
As for reading, I would start with Marz's first Witchblade trade, and pick up The Darkness Accursed. I need to start expanding my Top Cow repertoire as well!
I will DEFINITELY give the anime a shot!! I unfortunately can't access Netflix from here, but I will see what I can dig up.
I think I get all that. I'll try and come at it from a different angle from now on and just let myself be bothered by the major transgressions. haha. Thanks for the insight and the reading tips. Hope you dig the anime. I might give it a shot when I'm not watching the other 8 or 9 shows I'm watching on DVD right now.
It's the 21st century, dude. Go to your local mall and you are bound to see woman objectifying themselves on a daily basis with their standard wardrobe. There are entire stores that, ten years ago you wouldn't have thought sold to anyone but strippers and "working" ladys…but guess what, now it's filled with eager 14 year old girls picking outfits for the first day of high school.
Times they are a changing. Whats the difference between tights that show every curve (like most woman in comics have always worn) and costumes that leave less to the imagination? They don't make you use as much of your imagination? I don't like seeing tight wearing male superhero crotch buldge…but hey, it happens. Check out Lady Death…awesome comic (IMHO)… barely wears clothes. It's just the way things are going.
Woman want to say "Hell ya, we are here, and sexy, and we like nerdy stuff too". And men (well most comic reading men) don't have a problem with that empowerment taking the form of hot chicks in skimpy clothes in their comics, video games, television shows, movies, etc. It's all win from a business standpoint, though so it will only get "worse" before it gets better. DO I think it's a healthy message to pass on to the woman of the world that don't look like Halle Berry or Megan Fox, of course not. . Thats where parents come in, if your kid still lives at home, and common sense comes in, if you are an adult yourself. If Witchblade makes a gal feel like crap….don't read it. If you don't want your kid idolizing Megan Fox, don't let them watch her crap movies. Seems pretty simple to me.
What I'm getting from that post is because that's the way it is, I can't have a problem with it or try and start a discussion that looks at it in a critical light. Following that logic, things would never change or get better.
Also, you're lumping in a lot of complicated (and often times conflicting) ideas in your last paragraph and making a lot of rash generalizations about the comics community. If a "gal" reads witchblade (or any other series) and doesn't like the way that women are represented in it's pages, is she not allowed to say negative things about it, or suggest ways that the series might do a better job of depicting women?
I'm by no means a prude (even though I'm sure it seems like that's where these criticisms are coming from), and that's what it seems like you're insinuating from the tone of your comment, specifically the first paragraph. I live on a college campus and see my fair share of crazy shit and a multitude of different ways that both genders dress. I've spent enough time in a theatre doing performances and whatnot to pretty much get over any sexual/physical hangup I can think of.
Sexy is in the eye of the beholder. It doesn't necessarily mean skimpy clothes and humiliating or degrading poses. 90% of the women in Y: The Last Man wear very normal clothes but come off as strong (and yes, often times sexy) while the nudity and sexual imagery actually serves a purpose that isn't just pandering to fanboys. Hell, just check out J.H. Williams III's Batwoman redesign. Strong, functional and plenty sexy (but in a positive way in my eyes.)
Even saying all of this, I do applaud the recent batch of Top Cow creators, specifically Sejic for giving Sara and Dani full body armor. Not only does it look better (it's a great design) it makes way more sense given the context of the story where a woman is battling demons. You'd think she'd like armor on more than just her naughty bits. All of my posts have probably sounded like I'm not digging Witchblade. That would be false. I'm getting a kick out of everything I've read in the Top Cow line, just get a bit of a nagging noise in my head when those odd little moments pop up. But that's what they are. Odd little moments. Overall, it's gotten a hell of a lot tamer than some older issues.
I hope I haven't started a thing just because I wanted to talk about this critically.
You summed it up right there, dude. "Sexy is in the eye of the beholder." Truthfully I used to be on the opposite side of this discussion, but the bottom line is, sex sells and that is a generalization…and also a fact. I'm not saying you are a prude, just that, to anyone questioning the direction of all forms of media that show more skin, tighter outfits, or bigger boobs, etc…it's just the way things are. You can choose to avoid it if you don't approve (you meaning people that ARE prude's..not specifically you as in Chris) or you can embrace this new wave of empowered woman and enjoy it for what it is…art.
Nothing has been started. Everyone is entitled to voice their opinion here! I think disagreements show that we are talking about important topics… most of the time.