REVIEW: Witchblade #170 by Ron Marz and Laura Braga

Marz Triumphant Return to the Book He Made Famous

Cover by Marc Silvestri

RON MARZ RETURNS TO WITCHBLADE! Sara Pezzini has been a cop, a mother, a girlfriend, and a private investigator. She is none of those things anymore. The only thing tying Sara to her past and preventing her from forging a new chapter in life is the Witchblade. But with everything else gone, who will Sara Pezzini be if she gives up the Witchblade?

After being away for two years from the book he made famous, Ron Marz is back to give Sara Pezzini a fresh new life. She's not quite the same character he left behind but with help from artist Laura Braga has forged a new chapter that is ripe for fans both new and old. The once big city cop is now a small town sheriff on the trail of a mysterious killer. 

Marz' writing is crisp, the dialogue flows naturally and the plot thickens as the issue goes on. There isn't much fat in the composition as the reader gets all the details needed, lean and mean and moves the story briskly ending with the desire for more as any good comic should. It feels as though Marz has discovered an old friend in Pezzini and the passage of time hasn't made them strangers at all. In fact he reinvigorates the character by placing her in a small town setting allowing for her to shine among the regular folks with her strong personality that even irks the mayor. 

Braga's art is first class with great attention to detail and colors that evoke an almost neo-noir feel. The layouts are great and the transitions feel natural. Its what helps keep the story at a comfortable pace yet doesn't forget the little details. It seems like a perfect match between writer and artist. 

Witchblade #170 is a great jumping on point for new readers and a welcomed return for long time readers. It's a quality title that deserve to be added to many a pull list. Grade: A.