While I have been consistently reading the Witchblade saga, I have not posted on it in a while (my last one was for issue #176). The reason being that the recent issues were just not blog-worthy. I enjoyed them, but they lacked the depth of content that made for an interesting blog post. This issue, though, inspired me to write.
The story takes off immediately with Sara, clad in a Ramones tee-shirt, battling a six-headed Hindu god. My interest was instantly piqued. She defeats the god and is approached by two men who said this was a test. They escort her to meet their “employer,” a woman named Amaryllis who appears as an archetype of a warrior goddess. She tells Sara she is in need of an agent who “trafficks with the supernatural. Someone who walks in the world behind our world.”
I require someone with power, and experience in wielding it. Everything I’ve done, everything I’ve gathered here, is so I can keep the world safe from the evil at its edges. I need a knight to serve me, Sara. I need you.
I am one who believes in parallel dimensions, so the idea of someone being able to pass through the veil and visit hidden worlds is something I find fascinating. In the past, the writers of Witchblade have drawn on mythology and the supernatural, and I closed this issue with the distinct impression that the creative team is returning to this formula, which I am very happy about. I’m trying not to raise my expectations too high, but I have a good feeling about the direction the story is taking. I suppose more will be revealed next month. I’ll be sure to let you know my thoughts–good, bad, or indifferent.
Stuff Jeff Reads 
I’ve always avoided picking up this comic because the excessive “pin-up” style of art in the first few arcs was a turn-off… how is the story? Does it make up for it?
Hi Alex. I completely understand your turn off. The objectified images annoy me too. I was introduced to Witchblade through the short-lived TV series, which I thought was excellent. So because I had that background, I was able to overlook the pinup artwork and focus on the story, which I think is very good. Finally, there were several issues where the writer and artist were women, and those depicted Sara in a much better way, I thought. End of the day, I love the mythology and strong female lead. I just wish she was clothed more appropriately 😉
Cheers
Thanks for the honesty. It’s a real shame because that’s the only thing holding me back from reason this, Vampirella, and Red Sonja.
Consider Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Might be the best women-centered horror comic ever, without the sexploitation.
Thanks for the recommendation!