Witchblade
Encyclopedia
Witchblade is an American comic book
series
published by Top Cow Productions
, an imprint
of Image Comics
, from 1995
until present. The series was created by Top Cow editors Marc Silvestri
and David Wohl
, writers Brian Haberlin
and Christina Z, and artist Michael Turner.
The series follows Sara Pezzini
, a tough-as-nails NYPD
homicide
detective
who comes into possession of the Witchblade, a supernatural, sentient
artifact with immense destructive and protective powers. The weapon has bonded with various other women throughout history, the most recent being the series' former co-lead, Danielle Baptiste
. Others who have come into contact with the Witchblade include Cleopatra and Joan of Arc
. Sara struggles to hone the awesome powers of the Witchblade and fend off those with a nefarious interest in it, especially entrepreneur Kenneth Irons
. She also struggles to maintain a personal life.
There have been many spin-off
titles which place the Witchblade in other times and settings. The character of Sara Pezzini was also featured in crossovers
with characters from other franchises, including Lara Croft
, the Justice League
, and the cast of Battle of the Planets
.
Witchblade was adapted into a moderately successful television series
in 2001–2002, starring Yancy Butler
as Sara Pezzini.
The title was also adapted into an anime
and an unrelated manga
series in 2006. Each takes place in a futuristic Japan and features a new blade-wielder, with little resemblance to Pezzini or to each other, in the role. There have been two soundtracks to the manga series (which had a limited print run).
A feature film
, currently titled The Witchblade, was scheduled for a 2009 release, but is now set for 2013.
and The Angelus
and therefore acts as a balance between the two entities. The Witchblade is semi-organic, a union of the genes of The Darkness and The Angelus. Because of its semi-organic structure it is able to create a symbiosis
-like bond with a host. According to one of the TV episodes, the Witchblade was made out of a branch from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.
The Witchblade was discovered in modern times in Greece by Kenneth Irons
, but before he found it, it had many hosts. When not in use, the Witchblade can look like an ornate, jewel-encrusted, right-handed gauntlet or bracelet so it doesn't draw much attention. Any wielder of the Witchblade who is unworthy will lose their arm. It forms a symbiosis
-like relationship with its host, who can hear the Witchblade. When used, it expands across the body of the host, often shredding clothes and covering the body in semi-organic armor. The amount and coverage of the armor depends on the level of the threat. For example, when facing mortals, it will usually generate less armor than when facing a demon of hell. This armor can produce extensions of itself that can form swords, other stabbing weapons, hooks, chains, shields, and wings, enabling the wielder to fly. It may also become temperamental if the host chooses not to use it. When wielded, it can shoot energy blasts from the hand or sword, fire projectile darts, and extrude whip-like grapples to attack or to climb. The Witchblade is also an excellent lock pick, and can heal wounds, even mortal ones. The Witchblade can re-animate the dead, empathically show the host scenes of great trauma, and allow the host to relive experiences from past hosts as dreams.
Following the events in the First Born mini-series, the Witchblade was split into two parts. One half belongs to Dani while Sara has reclaimed the other half. However, with the Witchblade originally being the balance between the forces of Darkness and Light, it was revealed in the recent "War of the Witchblades" story arc that each half of the Witchblade represented one of the two primal forces: Sara having the Darkness one and Dani the Angelus. This led to changes in the personality of the characters, especially Sara. Encouraged by the leaderless Angelus Warriors and the mysterious Tau'ma, both hosts eventually ended up in all-out war for the complete control of the Witchblade, which concluded with Sara victorious and once again in control of the full Witchblade.
Danielle Baptiste
The Angelus
The Darkness
Magdalena (Patience)
Detective Patrick Gleason
The Curator/The Survivor
Tau'ma
Hope Pezzini
Julie Pezzini
Ian Nottingham
Kenneth Irons
Joe Siry
Jake McCarthy
Lisa
Other identified wearers include Cathain, who is remembered as an Irish
Celt
ic war goddess by history in the live action TV series of the Witchblade
. Cathain is connected to the historical Irish Celtic King, Conchobar
.
Alternative Reality
Non-Canon
network TNT
premiered a television series based on the comic book series in 2001
. The series was directed by Ralph Hemecker
and written by Marc Silvestri
(who also wrote the comic book) and J.D. Zeik. Yancy Butler
starred as Sara Pezzini. Although critically acclaimed and popular with audiences, it was canceled in September 2002. Announced as a production decision, the cancellation nevertheless provoked widespread speculation that the true reason was Butler's alcohol addiction. Butler was ordered to enter rehab for alcohol addiction a year later, after being arrested for wandering intoxicated amidst traffic.
Witchblade ran for two seasons on TNT, each featuring 12 episodes. The first episode aired on June 12, 2001, and the last episode aired on August 26, 2002. On April 1, 2008, Warner Home Video
announced a long-anticipated DVD release. Witchblade: The Complete Series — a seven-disc collectors set including the original made-for-TV movie, all 23 episodes of the series, and special features — was released July 29, 2008.
An upcoming American
superhero film
based on the series is currently in development. The film will be directed by Michael Rymer
, who directed the 2002 film Queen of the Damned
and various episodes of Battlestar Galactica
, and written by Everett De Roche (who subsequently left the project because of creative differences with Marc Silvestri).
The film is one of two being produced and financed back-to-back by Platinum Studios, IDG Films, and Relativity Media. The film will be produced by Arclight's Gary Hamilton and Nigel Odell, Platinum Studios' Scott Mitchell Rosenberg, and Steve Squillante of Havenwood Media. Top Cow's Marc Silvestri and Matt Hawkins will be executive producers with Platinum Studios' Rich Marincic and Greenberg Group's Randy Greenberg. The film's website and teaser poster were released in May 2009
.
announced an anime
version of Witchblade, with a subsequent manga
adaptation. The anime version is considered controversial by some because GONZO has announced that the main character
of the anime is of Japanese ethnicity but is not Itagaki, one of the previous bearers of the Witchblade. Instead it is a new character named Masane. This has caused some fans to cry out against what they see as a Nipponisation of the franchise. Although this series sets up an entire new story, with all new characters, it is considered canon
.
The anime, which took place in a post-apocalyptic Tokyo, Japan; began broadcast during April 2006 and ran for 24 episodes (a standard series run). The lead character, and new blade wielder, is the kind-hearted Masane who, despite her good intentions, is fairly clumsy and not good around the house. After the events of an earthquake that struck her home six years before the series, "year zero", Masane has no recollection of her past prior to this date. When she comes into contact with the Witchblade, Masane also finds herself under the watchful eye of an organization called the NSWF (National Scientific Welfare Foundation), and struggles to hold onto her daughter Rihoko, whom the government is trying to take from her. Unlike the comic Witchblade, which only induces bloodlust when in a violent confrontation and creates armor, the anime Witchblade entirely transforms Masane, giving her different eyes and hair, and will ultimately destroy her body.
incarnation is being serialized, introducing a different story that features a unique plot & characters and with little similarities (except for the Witchblade and some other settings) with the anime, though the script is written by the same writer Yasuko Kobayashi
(小林靖子).
, hence explaining Takeru's strong attraction to the gauntlet which is locally called Oni-no-Te (鬼の手, "Hand of Oni"). Ultimately, Takeru's life suffers a drastic change when she becomes the next bearer of the Witchblade due to some circumstances that force her to randomly encounter it.
Witchblade: Takeru started serial run since March 2006 in Champion Red
magazine under publisher Akita Shoten
. Story by with art made by , whose art and illustrations carry over an erotic style.
Moreover, at a press conference, Bandai Entertainment entered an agreement with Top Cow Productions to release an English language version of the manga. In spite of its violent and erotic content, Bandai Entertainment stated that they won't be censoring the manga.
since August 2006 by Tokuma Shoten
with art and illustrations done by Uno Makoto, who previously worked in the Witchblade anime as the lead art & character designer.
The main protagonist is a sickly 15-year-old Okinawan girl, Yuri Miyazono, who wields the Witchblade for her own survival. Not much specific details have been disclosed regarding the date and time when this novel takes place, besides the postscript which has explained that the novel takes place in the same timeline as the anime. It says that Yuri is the bearer who immediately precedes Masane Amaha. It also says she is the immediate successor of Takeru Ibaraki from Witchblade: Takeru.
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
series
Ongoing series
The term "ongoing series" is used in contrast to limited series , a one shot , a graphic novel, or a trade paperback...
published by Top Cow Productions
Top Cow Productions
Top Cow Productions is an American comics publisher, a partner studio of Image Comics founded by Marc Silvestri in 1992.-History:...
, an imprint
Imprint
In the publishing industry, an imprint can mean several different things:* As a piece of bibliographic information about a book, it refers to the name and address of the book's publisher and its date of publication as given at the foot or on the verso of its title page.* It can mean a trade name...
of Image Comics
Image Comics
Image Comics is a United States comic book publisher. It was founded in 1992 by high-profile illustrators as a venue where creators could publish their material without giving up the copyrights to the characters they created, as creator-owned properties. It was immediately successful, and remains...
, from 1995
1995 in comics
-January:*After Xavier: The Age of Apocalypse is launched. All X-titles change to different names for the next four months.* Thor marks his 400th appearance in Marvel Comics with issue #482....
until present. The series was created by Top Cow editors Marc Silvestri
Marc Silvestri
Marc Silvestri is an American comic book artist, creator and publisher. He currently acts as the CEO for Top Cow Productions.-Early life:Marc Silvestri was born in Palm Beach, Florida.-Career:...
and David Wohl
David Wohl
David Wohl is an American comic book writer and editor. He is best known as an editor at Marvel Comics and Top Cow Productions and, at the latter, writing The Darkness and Witchblade.-Biography:...
, writers Brian Haberlin
Brian Haberlin
Brian Haberlin is an American comic book artist and entrepreneur. He is best known as the co-creator of the Witchblade franchise and for his manga-influenced digital art styles.-Career:...
and Christina Z, and artist Michael Turner.
The series follows Sara Pezzini
Sara Pezzini
Sara Pezzini is a fictional comic book superheroine starring in the series Witchblade. Sara also appeared in a Turner Network Television live-action feature film and TV series of the same name, portrayed by Yancy Butler...
, a tough-as-nails NYPD
New York City Police Department
The New York City Police Department , established in 1845, is currently the largest municipal police force in the United States, with primary responsibilities in law enforcement and investigation within the five boroughs of New York City...
homicide
Homicide
Homicide refers to the act of a human killing another human. Murder, for example, is a type of homicide. It can also describe a person who has committed such an act, though this use is rare in modern English...
detective
Detective
A detective is an investigator, either a member of a police agency or a private person. The latter may be known as private investigators or "private eyes"...
who comes into possession of the Witchblade, a supernatural, sentient
Sentience
Sentience is the ability to feel, perceive or be conscious, or to have subjective experiences. Eighteenth century philosophers used the concept to distinguish the ability to think from the ability to feel . In modern western philosophy, sentience is the ability to have sensations or experiences...
artifact with immense destructive and protective powers. The weapon has bonded with various other women throughout history, the most recent being the series' former co-lead, Danielle Baptiste
Danielle Baptiste
Daniella "Dani" Anastasia Baptiste is a fictional comic book superheroine in the series Witchblade, published by Top Cow. She was introduced in the one hundredth issue, becoming the series' co-lead. An athletic young dancer, Dani becomes the new host of the Witchblade, a mystical gauntlet which...
. Others who have come into contact with the Witchblade include Cleopatra and Joan of Arc
Joan of Arc
Saint Joan of Arc, nicknamed "The Maid of Orléans" , is a national heroine of France and a Roman Catholic saint. A peasant girl born in eastern France who claimed divine guidance, she led the French army to several important victories during the Hundred Years' War, which paved the way for the...
. Sara struggles to hone the awesome powers of the Witchblade and fend off those with a nefarious interest in it, especially entrepreneur Kenneth Irons
Kenneth Irons
Kenneth Irons is a fictional comic book supervillain. He is a criminal mastermind who is depicted as the person behind nearly every evil deed in the Top Cow series Witchblade....
. She also struggles to maintain a personal life.
There have been many spin-off
Spin-off (media)
In media, a spin-off is a radio program, television program, video game, or any narrative work, derived from one or more already existing works, that focuses, in particular, in more detail on one aspect of that original work...
titles which place the Witchblade in other times and settings. The character of Sara Pezzini was also featured in crossovers
Fictional crossover
A fictional crossover is the placement of two or more otherwise discrete fictional characters, settings, or universes into the context of a single story. They can arise from legal agreements between the relevant copyright holders, or because of unauthorized efforts by fans, or even amid common...
with characters from other franchises, including Lara Croft
Tomb Raider (comics)
The Tomb Raider comic book series are based on the character of Lara Croft, from the games produced by Eidos Interactive and Core Design.-Publication history:...
, the Justice League
Justice League
The Justice League, also called the Justice League of America or JLA, is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by DC Comics....
, and the cast of Battle of the Planets
Battle of the Planets (comics)
The Battle of the Planets comic book series was based on a television series of the same name. It was originally published by Gold Key Comics, with Top Cow releasing a number of comics more recently.-Publication history:...
.
Witchblade was adapted into a moderately successful television series
Witchblade (TV series)
Following a pilot film in August 2000, the cable network TNT premiered a Witchblade television series based on the Witchblade Top Cow Productions comic book series in 2001. Some of the episodes were written by Ralph Hemecker, Marc Silvestri and J.D...
in 2001–2002, starring Yancy Butler
Yancy Butler
Yancy Victoria Butler is an American television and movie actress known for her roles as Natasha Binder in the 1993 John Woo film Hard Target and as Detective Sara Pezzini on the TNT supernatural drama Witchblade.-Early life:...
as Sara Pezzini.
The title was also adapted into an anime
Witchblade (anime)
is an anime series based on the American comic book by the same name. Instead of an adaptation of the original story, the producers decided to create an entire new setup, with all new characters. This co-production between Japanese studio Gonzo and American publisher Top Cow, who owns the rights...
and an unrelated manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
series in 2006. Each takes place in a futuristic Japan and features a new blade-wielder, with little resemblance to Pezzini or to each other, in the role. There have been two soundtracks to the manga series (which had a limited print run).
A feature film
Feature film
In the film industry, a feature film is a film production made for initial distribution in theaters and being the main attraction of the screening, rather than a short film screened before it; a full length movie...
, currently titled The Witchblade, was scheduled for a 2009 release, but is now set for 2013.
The Witchblade
The Witchblade is a male entity of both light and dark which represents both order and chaos. It is the offspring of the primal forces of the universe The DarknessThe Darkness (comics)
The Darkness is a series of ongoing American comic books created by Marc Silvestri, Garth Ennis, and David Wohl and produced by Top Cow Productions. The comic first appeared in 1996 and enjoyed an initial period of relative success during the Top Cow/Image Comics boom of the late 1990s. However,...
and The Angelus
Angelus (comics)
The Angelus is an American comic book antagonist published by Top Cow Productions which first appeared in The Darkness comic in 1997. The Angelus has been featured in comics with her enemies The Darkness and the Witchblade....
and therefore acts as a balance between the two entities. The Witchblade is semi-organic, a union of the genes of The Darkness and The Angelus. Because of its semi-organic structure it is able to create a symbiosis
Symbiosis
Symbiosis is close and often long-term interaction between different biological species. In 1877 Bennett used the word symbiosis to describe the mutualistic relationship in lichens...
-like bond with a host. According to one of the TV episodes, the Witchblade was made out of a branch from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.
The Witchblade was discovered in modern times in Greece by Kenneth Irons
Kenneth Irons
Kenneth Irons is a fictional comic book supervillain. He is a criminal mastermind who is depicted as the person behind nearly every evil deed in the Top Cow series Witchblade....
, but before he found it, it had many hosts. When not in use, the Witchblade can look like an ornate, jewel-encrusted, right-handed gauntlet or bracelet so it doesn't draw much attention. Any wielder of the Witchblade who is unworthy will lose their arm. It forms a symbiosis
Symbiosis
Symbiosis is close and often long-term interaction between different biological species. In 1877 Bennett used the word symbiosis to describe the mutualistic relationship in lichens...
-like relationship with its host, who can hear the Witchblade. When used, it expands across the body of the host, often shredding clothes and covering the body in semi-organic armor. The amount and coverage of the armor depends on the level of the threat. For example, when facing mortals, it will usually generate less armor than when facing a demon of hell. This armor can produce extensions of itself that can form swords, other stabbing weapons, hooks, chains, shields, and wings, enabling the wielder to fly. It may also become temperamental if the host chooses not to use it. When wielded, it can shoot energy blasts from the hand or sword, fire projectile darts, and extrude whip-like grapples to attack or to climb. The Witchblade is also an excellent lock pick, and can heal wounds, even mortal ones. The Witchblade can re-animate the dead, empathically show the host scenes of great trauma, and allow the host to relive experiences from past hosts as dreams.
Following the events in the First Born mini-series, the Witchblade was split into two parts. One half belongs to Dani while Sara has reclaimed the other half. However, with the Witchblade originally being the balance between the forces of Darkness and Light, it was revealed in the recent "War of the Witchblades" story arc that each half of the Witchblade represented one of the two primal forces: Sara having the Darkness one and Dani the Angelus. This led to changes in the personality of the characters, especially Sara. Encouraged by the leaderless Angelus Warriors and the mysterious Tau'ma, both hosts eventually ended up in all-out war for the complete control of the Witchblade, which concluded with Sara victorious and once again in control of the full Witchblade.
Top Cow Universe
In addition to unnatural and human-ignorant elements such as demons, angels, vampires, werewolves, zombies, aliens, ghouls, pagan gods, dimensional gates, ghosts, and magic, the Top Cow universe is populated by its two constants, The Darkness and The Angelus, both of whom use the bodies of various humans as hosts. They are "balanced" by their offspring, The Witchblade. Superheroes are generally enhanced humans from secret government or private entrepreneurial projects. Sara Pezzini's old precinct, the 18th, or "the One Eight" is in the roughest part of New York, where crime is rampant, and both the Mafia and the Yakuza are prominent forces.Characters
Sara PezziniSara Pezzini
Sara Pezzini is a fictional comic book superheroine starring in the series Witchblade. Sara also appeared in a Turner Network Television live-action feature film and TV series of the same name, portrayed by Yancy Butler...
- A New York City detective, Sara, is a disciplined, tough-talking woman of Italian descent, who first encountered The Witchblade while on a case with her ex-partner, Michael Yee. After both officers were mortally wounded by criminal Ian Nottingham, the entity suddenly left the possession of Nottingham's employer, Kenneth Irons, and gave its power to Sara, healing her wounds. Pezzini has since been thrown into a darker world in which she's encountered a number of mystical opponents and strange cases while hosting The Witchblade. Quite often, she has wished for her life to return to normal.
- Eventually, it was revealed that The Witchblade was actually the offspring of the universe's two constants, The Angelus and The Darkness. When Jackie Estacado, the host of The Darkness, was "possessed" by its influence, he impregnated a temporarily comatose Sara as part of an effort to sway The Witchblade's balance. However, neither of them became aware of this until later. Eventually, Sara met and relinquished The Witchblade to Dani Baptiste, whom the entity had a strong affinity toward. Coincidentally, Dani also happened to be the daughter of Sara's police captain. Amidst complications during the birth of her daughter, Hope, Sara's life was saved when she received half of The Witchblade from Dani. During this period, both women bore distinct visual effects when activating the gauntlet. Sara, formerly possessing the half infused with The Darkness, manifested a dark appearance and batBatBats are mammals of the order Chiroptera "hand" and pteron "wing") whose forelimbs form webbed wings, making them the only mammals naturally capable of true and sustained flight. By contrast, other mammals said to fly, such as flying squirrels, gliding possums, and colugos, glide rather than fly,...
-like wings when flying, while Dani manifested a bright appearance with fairyFairyA fairy is a type of mythical being or legendary creature, a form of spirit, often described as metaphysical, supernatural or preternatural.Fairies resemble various beings of other mythologies, though even folklore that uses the term...
-like wings during flight.
- Sara now possesses the full Witchblade, as Dani is now the host for The Angelus.
Danielle Baptiste
Danielle Baptiste
Daniella "Dani" Anastasia Baptiste is a fictional comic book superheroine in the series Witchblade, published by Top Cow. She was introduced in the one hundredth issue, becoming the series' co-lead. An athletic young dancer, Dani becomes the new host of the Witchblade, a mystical gauntlet which...
- The latest in the long line of bearers, Danielle is an impulsive but goodhearted young dancer who was born in New Orleans. After moving to New York to pursue her career, she experienced a mysterious dream which foretold her destiny. In the vision, she saw herself inheriting great power by means of a mystical gauntlet, though she was told that it would require much discipline to control. Perplexed by the message, Dani found herself taking a walk and wandering to an antique shop the next day. It was there that she encountered Sara Pezinni, the current host of The Witchblade. Having become pregnant, Sara realized that the time had come for her to relinquish the entity. She also noticed that it became quite animated in Dani's presence, constantly reaching out to her. Dani recognized The Witchblade as the same entity from her dream, and offered to relieve Sara of it upon learning what it was. Realizing that Dani was meant to become the next host, Sara relinquished The Witchblade to her.
- After receiving possession of the balance, Dani faced a string of challenges in learning to control both it and her emotions. While exploring her power, she also faced and overcame a number of mystical opponents. Eventually, Dani returned half of The Witchblade to Sara in order to save Sara's life following the birth of her child. She currently does not have any portion of the Witchblade, as she is the present host to The Angelus.
The Angelus
Angelus (comics)
The Angelus is an American comic book antagonist published by Top Cow Productions which first appeared in The Darkness comic in 1997. The Angelus has been featured in comics with her enemies The Darkness and the Witchblade....
- The Angelus is a female entity which is the source of all light and order. Throughout history, She has chosen various women on Earth to serve as her host, each of whom are joined in battle by numerous winged soldiers known as Angelus Warriors. Along with The Darkness, The Angelus is one of the two primal forces of the universe that created The Witchblade.
The Darkness
The Darkness (comics)
The Darkness is a series of ongoing American comic books created by Marc Silvestri, Garth Ennis, and David Wohl and produced by Top Cow Productions. The comic first appeared in 1996 and enjoyed an initial period of relative success during the Top Cow/Image Comics boom of the late 1990s. However,...
- The Darkness is an ageless power dating back beyond human history, the blessed and cursed soul that is chaos and creation. Like The Angelus, it is one of the two constants in the universe that created The Witchblade, and has chosen male hosts throughout history. The most well-known host is Jackie Estacado, a mob boss who has had many run-ins with Sara. While under The Darkness' influence, he impregnated a temporarily comatose Sara, which made him the father of her child, Hope.
Magdalena (Patience)
Magdalena (comics)
The Magdalena is an American comic book heroine created by Top Cow Productions. She did not have her own on-going series for many years, but had two limited series and has been featured in comics with The Darkness, the Witchblade, Tomb Raider, The Angelus and Vampirella. She first appeared in The...
- The warrior of the Catholic Church. A direct descendant of Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene. She possess the Spear of Longinus artifact.
Detective Patrick Gleason
- Sara's partner and boyfriend. He is of Irish descent and is a policeman. He takes care of Hope when Sara is away. He is also her sex partner and love interest.
The Curator/The Survivor
- A mysterious owner of an antiques shop, The Curator is a sage-like spectator and occasional informant. One of Sara and Dani's most trusted confidants, he knows much about The Witchblade, the other entities, and the ongoing matters surrounding The Angelus and The Darkness. The Curator apparently dies in Artifacts, spontaneously exploding after saying all hope is lost. It was later revealed, however, that The Curator was, in reality, The Survivor - the mysterious mastermind behind all of the events of Artifacts. His past is finally explored; he is the sole survivor of the previous universe, in which he was the "Codex" - meant to ensure its survival in the event of armageddon. Having originally failed in his duty, and witnessed the destruction of his family and everyone and everything he ever knew and cared about, The Survivor, existing for billions of years and witnessing all life in the universe, has been gradually manipulating and gathering the artifact bearers throughout the series in the knowledge he will need them in his plan to resurrect his universe.
Tau'ma
- Brother of The Curator, and just as mysterious. Unlike his brother, who tries to keep the balance intact, Tau'ma is clearly on The Darkness' side. He can pull out darklings from his head to attack or spy on others, and wields a powerful cane with a gem-encrusted hawk head. His current location is unknown.
Hope Pezzini
Hope Pezzini
Hope Pezzini is a fictional character who appears in comic books published by Top Cow Productions. Created by Ron Marz, she first appeared in First Born #3 ....
- Sara's mystical daughter with Jackie Estacado. She is neither of The Darkness nor The Angelus, but has unknown powers that are currently dormant. In Artifacts, Hope is the subject of a massive search by artifact bearers following her capture by The Survivor - it is during this search her parents, Jackie and Sara, finally consumnate their feelings for each-other, and Hope's nature is revealed by The Survivor; Hope is the "Codex" for the entire universe, meant to survive and ensure it's survival. The Survivor plans to kill and replace her as the Codex to guarantee the resurrection of his own universe.
Julie Pezzini
- Sara's sister. She was romantically involved with Jake but the two broke up when Jake discovered that she was running drugs. Under the effects of a hope-suppressing evil, Jake later returned and shot Julie, but she survived. As of issue #130, Julie has just come out of her stay in prison for her dealings with drugs. While taking Hope to a fair, Julie was surprised by Aphrodite who killed Julie after shooting her in the head. Aphrodite then kidnapped Hope, setting in motion plans to bring the Darkness and the Witchblade together.
Ian Nottingham
Ian Nottingham
Ian Nottingham is a character from the Witchblade comic and television series, an assassin once employed by Kenneth Irons. Nottingham is of British and of Native American descent....
- Formerly a Captain of the British Special Air ServiceSpecial Air ServiceSpecial Air Service or SAS is a corps of the British Army constituted on 31 May 1950. They are part of the United Kingdom Special Forces and have served as a model for the special forces of many other countries all over the world...
, Ian subsequently joined MI5. He underwent behavioural modifications for the purpose of infiltrating The Yakuza. Afterward, he forgot his past, and became a bodyguard for Kenneth Irons. Ian has phenomenal skill with both archaic and modern weapons, bordering on the supernatural. In issue #1, Ian kills Sara's partner, Michael Yee. For a time he underwent a great change, allowing him the capability to absorb great quantities of energy and to drain energy from entities, even going so far as to temporarily host both The Witchblade and The Darkness. For a time, he wielded Excalibur, The Witchblade's twin, but it was revealed that the Excalibur entity was merely a shard of The Witchblade, which quickly reabsorbed it. After he lost The Excalibur and was defeated by Sara in issue #75, Ian was taken to prison where he remains. In Artifacts #3, he is freed from prison by Aphrodite IV. Recently, he retrieved the Blood Sword from Michael Finnegan, gravely wounding the wielder of the Glaciar Stone in the process, and left him in the river to die.
Kenneth Irons
- A rich entrepreneur who discovered The Witchblade in Greece, Irons' age is undefined. It was eventually revealed that he was a Templar Knight of the third crusade and that he once drank from the Holy Grail, granting him a healing factor and 'immortality', establishing his age as greater than 800 years. However, due to his exposure to The Witchblade during an attempt to host it, Irons does not age at a normal rate; he appears to be no older than 35. Initially, Ian Nottingham served as his close and trusted bodyguard, until both Irons' and Ian's fascination with Sara Pezzini drove a wedge between them. In a failed bid to gain control of The Witchblade, Kenneth Irons lost his hand and sacrificed his wife. In issue #75, Kenneth Irons was one of two characters left in the Deathpool. As a result, Chief Joe Siry killed Irons for all of the troubles that Irons had unleashed on Sara. He is the father of Geraud Irons.
Joe Siry
- Sara's former captain when she served at the 18th Precinct. He was the partner of Sara's dead father, Detective Vincent Pezzini, and has a tendency to dote on her as if she is his daughter. He is married to Dalia. It was revealed that Siry had a hidden agenda with Irons, which forced him to kill Vincent Pezzini in order to protect Sara.
Jake McCarthy
- Jake was Sara's best friend and partner. He grew madly in love with Sara, but his feelings were unrequited. A malevolent entity came to Earth and entered Jake's body, possessing him while he was wounded defending a weakened Sara. While in a coma he was placed in a hospital. When he awoke in issue #100, he was possessed by the demonic god that had entered his body. The god was bent on destroying the world to remake it into a Hellish kingdom with him as ruler. Sara drove the demon's influence out of his mind, but Jake committed suicide to ensure that he could never return.
Lisa
- Daughter of Maria, a deceased friend of Sara's. Sara promised Maria that she would keep an eye on Lisa. She makes her living as a model.
Witchblade wielders
In reverse chronological order (fictional chronology, not publication dates) save non-canon and alternative realities:- Persephani (fictitious, wielder in the far future)
- Masane AmahaWitchblade (anime)is an anime series based on the American comic book by the same name. Instead of an adaptation of the original story, the producers decided to create an entire new setup, with all new characters. This co-production between Japanese studio Gonzo and American publisher Top Cow, who owns the rights...
(fictitious, from the Witchblade anime, near future) - Yuri Miyazono (fictitious)
- Takeru Ibaraki (fictitious, from the Witchblade manga)
- Akane NakikoAkane NakikoAkane Nakiko is a fictional comic book character. She is one of the main characters in the comic book Darkminds published by Dreamwave....
(fictitious, from Witchblade/Dark Mind: Return of Paradox, near future) - Debbie Santalesa (fictitious, from Dark Minds/Witchblade, near future)
- Selina Alice Lauren (fictitious, wielder, circa 2100)
- Ivy Pezzini (fictitious, Sara's daughter in a possible future)
- Danielle BaptisteDanielle BaptisteDaniella "Dani" Anastasia Baptiste is a fictional comic book superheroine in the series Witchblade, published by Top Cow. She was introduced in the one hundredth issue, becoming the series' co-lead. An athletic young dancer, Dani becomes the new host of the Witchblade, a mystical gauntlet which...
(fictitious, the wielder after Sara) - Ian NottinghamIan NottinghamIan Nottingham is a character from the Witchblade comic and television series, an assassin once employed by Kenneth Irons. Nottingham is of British and of Native American descent....
(fictitious, second male wielder. Only wielder so far to combine the Witchblade with either the Darkness or the Angelus) - Sara PezziniSara PezziniSara Pezzini is a fictional comic book superheroine starring in the series Witchblade. Sara also appeared in a Turner Network Television live-action feature film and TV series of the same name, portrayed by Yancy Butler...
(fictitious, current wielder) - Tasya Federova (fictitious)
- Josephine Valmont (fictitious)
- Elizabeth BrontëElizabeth BrontëElizabeth Bronte was, in Witchblade, the original series, the Bladewielder who immediately preceded Sara Pezzini. A World War II spy, she was killed by Kenneth Irons...
(fictitious) - Enola
- Anne BonnyAnne BonnyAnne Bonny was an Irish woman who became a famous female pirate, operating in the Caribbean. What little is known of her life comes largely from A General History of the Pyrates.-Historical record:...
- Roxanne Laroque (fictitious)
- Yuka-chan (fictitious)
- Shiori-sama
- Joan of ArcJoan of ArcSaint Joan of Arc, nicknamed "The Maid of Orléans" , is a national heroine of France and a Roman Catholic saint. A peasant girl born in eastern France who claimed divine guidance, she led the French army to several important victories during the Hundred Years' War, which paved the way for the...
- Maitea
- Annabella Altavista
- Itagaki
- Leung Lin Yao
- Zara, Queen of Bones (fictitious, from Dark Crossings)
- Hua MulanHua MulanHua Mulan is a legendary figure from ancient China who was originally described in a Chinese poem known as the Ballad of Mulan . In the poem, Hua Mulan takes her aged father's place in the army. She fought for 12 years and gained high merit, but she refused any reward and retired to her hometown...
- Samantha McRenald (fictitious)
- Princess Raquel (fictitious)
- Katarina (A user before Sara PezziniSara PezziniSara Pezzini is a fictional comic book superheroine starring in the series Witchblade. Sara also appeared in a Turner Network Television live-action feature film and TV series of the same name, portrayed by Yancy Butler...
, from Medieval Spawn/Witchblade teamup) - Artemisia
- LysandraLysandraLysandra was a daughter of Ptolemy I Soter and Eurydice, a daughter of Antipater....
- Myrine
- Una, the first bearer (fictitious)
- Princess (fictitious, from Battle of the Planets/Witchblade crossover)
Other identified wearers include Cathain, who is remembered as an Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
Celt
Celt
The Celts were a diverse group of tribal societies in Iron Age and Roman-era Europe who spoke Celtic languages.The earliest archaeological culture commonly accepted as Celtic, or rather Proto-Celtic, was the central European Hallstatt culture , named for the rich grave finds in Hallstatt, Austria....
ic war goddess by history in the live action TV series of the Witchblade
Witchblade (TV series)
Following a pilot film in August 2000, the cable network TNT premiered a Witchblade television series based on the Witchblade Top Cow Productions comic book series in 2001. Some of the episodes were written by Ralph Hemecker, Marc Silvestri and J.D...
. Cathain is connected to the historical Irish Celtic King, Conchobar
Conchobar
is an Irish male name meaning "lover of hounds". It is the source of the Irish names Conor, Connor, Connors, Conner, O'Connor, etc. It is a name borne by several figures from Irish history and legend, including:* Conchobar mac Nessa, legendary king of Ulster...
.
Alternative Reality
- Kimberly Tossovova (alt. reality, fictitious)
Non-Canon
- Wonder WomanWonder WomanWonder Woman is a DC Comics superheroine created by William Moulton Marston. She first appeared in All Star Comics #8 . The Wonder Woman title has been published by DC Comics almost continuously except for a brief hiatus in 1986....
(JLA/Witchblade) (co-op universe with DC: non-canon to Top Cow or DC Universe) - Sister MidnightPredator (alien)The Predator is a fictional extraterrestrial species featured in the Predator science-fiction franchise, characterised by its trophy hunting of other dangerous species for sport, including humans and its fictional counterparts, Aliens....
(Fictitious, from Aliens/Predator/Witchblade/Darkness: MindHunter Crossover)
Pretenders
In reverse chronological order:- Fiona Irish Counter Terrorist (fictitious)
- John Sansman (fictitious)
- LaFemme Danette Boucher (fictitious)
- Kenneth IronsKenneth IronsKenneth Irons is a fictional comic book supervillain. He is a criminal mastermind who is depicted as the person behind nearly every evil deed in the Top Cow series Witchblade....
(fictitious)
Television series
Following a pilot film in August 2000, the cableCable television
Cable television is a system of providing television programs to consumers via radio frequency signals transmitted to televisions through coaxial cables or digital light pulses through fixed optical fibers located on the subscriber's property, much like the over-the-air method used in traditional...
network TNT
Turner Network Television
Turner Network Television is an American cable television channel created by media mogul Ted Turner and currently owned by the Turner Broadcasting System division of Time Warner...
premiered a television series based on the comic book series in 2001
2001 in television
The year 2001 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 2001.-Events:-Debuts:-1940s:*Meet the Press .*Candid Camera .*CBS Evening News ....
. The series was directed by Ralph Hemecker
Ralph Hemecker
Ralph W. Hemecker is an American director, writer and producer.Hemecker has amassed numerous credits in television, directing episodes of Dead at 21, The X-Files, Millennium, Numb3rs, Blue Bloods as well as directing a number of television films....
and written by Marc Silvestri
Marc Silvestri
Marc Silvestri is an American comic book artist, creator and publisher. He currently acts as the CEO for Top Cow Productions.-Early life:Marc Silvestri was born in Palm Beach, Florida.-Career:...
(who also wrote the comic book) and J.D. Zeik. Yancy Butler
Yancy Butler
Yancy Victoria Butler is an American television and movie actress known for her roles as Natasha Binder in the 1993 John Woo film Hard Target and as Detective Sara Pezzini on the TNT supernatural drama Witchblade.-Early life:...
starred as Sara Pezzini. Although critically acclaimed and popular with audiences, it was canceled in September 2002. Announced as a production decision, the cancellation nevertheless provoked widespread speculation that the true reason was Butler's alcohol addiction. Butler was ordered to enter rehab for alcohol addiction a year later, after being arrested for wandering intoxicated amidst traffic.
Witchblade ran for two seasons on TNT, each featuring 12 episodes. The first episode aired on June 12, 2001, and the last episode aired on August 26, 2002. On April 1, 2008, Warner Home Video
Warner Home Video
Warner Home Video is the home video unit of Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc., itself part of Time Warner. It was founded in 1978 as WCI Home Video . The company launched in the United States with twenty films on VHS and Betamax videocassettes in late 1979...
announced a long-anticipated DVD release. Witchblade: The Complete Series — a seven-disc collectors set including the original made-for-TV movie, all 23 episodes of the series, and special features — was released July 29, 2008.
Film adaptation
Cinema of the United States
The cinema of the United States, also known as Hollywood, has had a profound effect on cinema across the world since the early 20th century. Its history is sometimes separated into four main periods: the silent film era, classical Hollywood cinema, New Hollywood, and the contemporary period...
superhero film
Superhero film
A superhero film, superhero movie, or superhero motion picture is: action, fantasy and science fiction film; that is focused on the actions of one or more superheroes, individuals who usually possess superhuman abilities relative to a normal person and are dedicated to protecting the public...
based on the series is currently in development. The film will be directed by Michael Rymer
Michael Rymer
Michael Rymer is a television and film director, best known for his work on the re-imagined Battlestar Galactica TV series, for which he directed the pilot miniseries and several episodes of the series...
, who directed the 2002 film Queen of the Damned
Queen of the Damned (film)
Queen of the Damned is a 2002 film adaptation of the third novel of Anne Rice's The Vampire Chronicles series, The Queen of the Damned, although the film contains many plot elements from the latter novel's predecessor, The Vampire Lestat. It stars Aaliyah as the vampire queen Akasha, and Stuart...
and various episodes of Battlestar Galactica
Battlestar Galactica (2004 TV series)
Battlestar Galactica is an American military science fiction television series, and part of the Battlestar Galactica franchise. The show was developed by Ronald D. Moore as a re-imagining of the 1978 Battlestar Galactica television series created by Glen A. Larson...
, and written by Everett De Roche (who subsequently left the project because of creative differences with Marc Silvestri).
The film is one of two being produced and financed back-to-back by Platinum Studios, IDG Films, and Relativity Media. The film will be produced by Arclight's Gary Hamilton and Nigel Odell, Platinum Studios' Scott Mitchell Rosenberg, and Steve Squillante of Havenwood Media. Top Cow's Marc Silvestri and Matt Hawkins will be executive producers with Platinum Studios' Rich Marincic and Greenberg Group's Randy Greenberg. The film's website and teaser poster were released in May 2009
.
Anime series
In 2004 Japanese animation studio GONZOGONZO
, stylized as GONZO, is a Japanese anime studio, owned by the company's corporate parent, the GDH group. In June 2006, it signed a long-term output deal with the anime television network, Animax, which saw Animax broadcasting all of Gonzo's anime titles across all of its networks around the world,...
announced an anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
version of Witchblade, with a subsequent manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
adaptation. The anime version is considered controversial by some because GONZO has announced that the main character
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
of the anime is of Japanese ethnicity but is not Itagaki, one of the previous bearers of the Witchblade. Instead it is a new character named Masane. This has caused some fans to cry out against what they see as a Nipponisation of the franchise. Although this series sets up an entire new story, with all new characters, it is considered canon
Canon (fiction)
In the context of a work of fiction, the term canon denotes the material accepted as "official" in a fictional universe's fan base. It is often contrasted with, or used as the basis for, works of fan fiction, which are not considered canonical...
.
The anime, which took place in a post-apocalyptic Tokyo, Japan; began broadcast during April 2006 and ran for 24 episodes (a standard series run). The lead character, and new blade wielder, is the kind-hearted Masane who, despite her good intentions, is fairly clumsy and not good around the house. After the events of an earthquake that struck her home six years before the series, "year zero", Masane has no recollection of her past prior to this date. When she comes into contact with the Witchblade, Masane also finds herself under the watchful eye of an organization called the NSWF (National Scientific Welfare Foundation), and struggles to hold onto her daughter Rihoko, whom the government is trying to take from her. Unlike the comic Witchblade, which only induces bloodlust when in a violent confrontation and creates armor, the anime Witchblade entirely transforms Masane, giving her different eyes and hair, and will ultimately destroy her body.
Manga
Likewise, a mangaManga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
incarnation is being serialized, introducing a different story that features a unique plot & characters and with little similarities (except for the Witchblade and some other settings) with the anime, though the script is written by the same writer Yasuko Kobayashi
Yasuko Kobayashi
is a Japanese anime and tokusatsu drama screenwriter who has been involved in various television shows throughout her career, beginning in 1993 with Tokusou Robo Janperson.-Writing credits:...
(小林靖子).
Witchblade: Takeru
introduces Takeru, who is an average Japanese high-school girl raised in a Buddhist convent by nuns. She has been experiencing recurring nightmares about the Witchblade calling out to her. This is due to the secret that the temple houses the Witchblade, sealed inside a glass box. Furthermore, her lineage keeps an unknown connection with the mystic artifact and the folklore of the OniOni (mythology)
thumb|Oni depicted in [[Konjaku Gazu Zoku Hyakki]] by [[Toriyama Sekien]] are creatures from Japanese folklore, variously translated as demons, devils, ogres or trolls...
, hence explaining Takeru's strong attraction to the gauntlet which is locally called Oni-no-Te (鬼の手, "Hand of Oni"). Ultimately, Takeru's life suffers a drastic change when she becomes the next bearer of the Witchblade due to some circumstances that force her to randomly encounter it.
Witchblade: Takeru started serial run since March 2006 in Champion Red
Champion Red
is a monthly Japanese shōnen manga magazine published on the 19th each month by Akita Shoten since . is a special edition of Champion Red.-Current serializations:*Chaotic Rune Es*Domina No Do!*Desperado*Franken Fran...
magazine under publisher Akita Shoten
Akita Shoten
is a Japanese publishing company established on August 10, 1948 in Chiyoda, Tokyo. Its main editorial target has always been teenagers , and it currently publishes mostly manga...
. Story by with art made by , whose art and illustrations carry over an erotic style.
Moreover, at a press conference, Bandai Entertainment entered an agreement with Top Cow Productions to release an English language version of the manga. In spite of its violent and erotic content, Bandai Entertainment stated that they won't be censoring the manga.
Witchblade Lost Generation: Midori no Shōjo
is another story published as a Japanese novelNovel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
since August 2006 by Tokuma Shoten
Tokuma Shoten
is a publisher in Japan, that was established in 1954.The company was also the parent company for the film studio Daiei Motion Pictures, bought in 1974, and the record label Tokuma Japan Communications, bought in 1972, until both were sold off when Yasuyoshi Tokuma, who established this company,...
with art and illustrations done by Uno Makoto, who previously worked in the Witchblade anime as the lead art & character designer.
The main protagonist is a sickly 15-year-old Okinawan girl, Yuri Miyazono, who wields the Witchblade for her own survival. Not much specific details have been disclosed regarding the date and time when this novel takes place, besides the postscript which has explained that the novel takes place in the same timeline as the anime. It says that Yuri is the bearer who immediately precedes Masane Amaha. It also says she is the immediate successor of Takeru Ibaraki from Witchblade: Takeru.
Parodies
- A parody of the witchblade, called the "Doucheblade" appears in Howard the DuckHoward the DuckHoward the Duck is a comic book character in the Marvel Comics universe created by writer Steve Gerber and artist Val Mayerik. The character first appeared in Adventure into Fear #19 and several subsequent series have chronicled the misadventures of the ill-tempered, anthropomorphic, "funny...
volume 3 issue 3, which was published under Marvel ComicsMarvel ComicsMarvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
' MAXMAX (comics)MAX is an imprint of Marvel Comics aimed at a niche 'adults only' audience, launched in 2001 after Marvel broke with the Comics Code Authority and established its own rating system...
imprint. The Doucheblade, empowered by the god/demon PazuzuPazuzuIn Assyrian and Babylonian mythology, Pazuzu was the king of the demons of the wind, and son of the god Hanbi. He also represented the southwestern wind, the bearer of storms and drought.- Iconography :...
, endows the wielder with revealing and spikey armor just like the Witchblade, but also tremendously augments her bust size. The Doucheblade's metal component is uraniumUraniumUranium is a silvery-white metallic chemical element in the actinide series of the periodic table, with atomic number 92. It is assigned the chemical symbol U. A uranium atom has 92 protons and 92 electrons, of which 6 are valence electrons...
, however. The first wielder died of radiation poisoning, but the uranium appears to have become depleted, since its most recent user was Eleanor RooseveltEleanor RooseveltAnna Eleanor Roosevelt was the First Lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945. She supported the New Deal policies of her husband, distant cousin Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and became an advocate for civil rights. After her husband's death in 1945, Roosevelt continued to be an international...
. It originally started to bond with a police woman named Suzi Pazuzu, but after a timely intervention by Dr. Bong bonded to Howard instead, whose DNA was unstable at the time, causing him to spontaneously change genders.
- In the Pazuzu entry of Marvel ZombiesMarvel ZombiesMarvel Zombies is a five-issue limited series published from December 2005 to April 2006 by Marvel Comics. The series was written by Robert Kirkman with art by Sean Phillips and covers by Arthur Suydam. It was the first series in the Marvel Zombies series of related stories...
: The Book of Angels, Demons, & Various Monstrosities, the Doucheblade is given the alternate (and more PG-13) name of "Gub-gala-emegir", which in Sumerian roughly translates as "Cleansing Blade."
External links
- Top Cow
- Air dates and episode guide
- GONZO Witchblade anime site (JapaneseJapanese languageis a language spoken by over 130 million people in Japan and in Japanese emigrant communities. It is a member of the Japonic language family, which has a number of proposed relationships with other languages, none of which has gained wide acceptance among historical linguists .Japanese is an...
) - Sara's Precinct