Top Cow Solicitations - March 2011

A little later than usual here are the Top Cow solicitations for March 2011. Looking down the list there's plenty of goodness coming our way that month with the penultimate issue of Troy Hickman's Twilight Guardian, the second volume of Witchblade Redemption which includes a series of stand-alone Witchblade stories originally printed in issues #137-141, the third volume of Darkness: Origins collecting classic issues #11-18 and a number of fantastic signed and variant editions.

Magdalena #8
Written by Ron Marz, art by Keu Cha, cover by Keu Cha, Nelson Blake II
Artist Keu Cha Returns to Comics!
Patience, the current Magdalena, has defended the church from demons, cultists, and even other Artifact bearers. Will she be able to survive against another Magdalena candidate? Or will she become the next in a long line of martyred Magdalenas?
Classic Top Cow artist Keu Cha (Witchblade, Rising Stars) reunites for a special two-issue arc with series author Ron Marz (Artifacts). Featuring a painted cover by Cha and a striking cover by series artist Nelson Blake II (Pilot Season: Murderer).
Full Colour, 32 pages, $3.99, ongoing series, expected ship date 23 March 2011

Twilight Guardian #3
Written by Troy Hickman, art by Siddharth Kotian, cover by Jeffrey Spokes
The Pilot Season Winner Returns in “Heroes and Villains” Part 3!
It’s a case of multiple personalities as Twilight Guardian is pitched several possible interpretations of her tireless war on crime in her very own comic book! Which identity will Twilight Guardian choose? And has her arch villain Dusk Devil finally come to confront her on her home turf?
Eisner-nominated creator and writer Troy Hickman (Common Grounds) and talented up-and-coming artist Siddharth Kotian (Eat The Dead) continue the highly anticipated four-issue mini-series. Issue #3 features a portrait of Twilight Guardians by Jeffrey Spokes (Witchblade, Irredeemable).
Full colour, 32 pages, $3.99, limited series, expected ship date 9 March 2011

The Darkness #92
Written by Phil Hester, art by Sheldon Mitchell, cover by Bane
”Outer Darkness” Part 3 of 6!
The battle between Jackie Estacado and the very source of his power, The Darkness ensues in earnest! Estacado has been lied to, beaten down, and betrayed over and over again over the last few years; but he has also studied, learned, and grown. Will Jackie Estacado take control of his destiny or will he end up another in a long line of pawns for The Darkness?
Full colour, 32 pages, $2.99, ongoing series, expected ship date 16 March 2011

Artifacts #8
Written by Ron Marz, art by Whilce Portacio, cover by Whilce Portacio, John Tyler Christopher
Mass Combat!
The combined forces of the Artifact bearers aligned with Witchblade bearer Sara Pezzini and The Darkness host Jackie Estacado have reached a truce with the cybernetic heroes of Cyberforce. They’ve fought off the relentless assassin Aphrodite IV, but that was only the beginning. Pushed to the limit, can they defeat a force that dwarfs everything they’ve faced before?
From Top Cow Universe architect Ron Marz (Witchblade, Magdalena) and legendary artist Whilce Portacio (The Darkness, Uncanny X-Men) bring the second chapter of the epic event series to a thunderous conclusion. Featuring a gorgeous cover by Portacio as well as a variant cover featuring Alina Enstrom by John Tyler Christopher (Witchblade).
Each issue will also feature a Top Cow Origin backup written by Marz and drawn by a superstar artist.
Full colour, 32 pages, $3.99, limited series, expected ship date 23 March 2011

Echoes #4
Written by Joshua Hale Fialkov, art by Rahsan Ekedal, cover by Rahsan Ekedal
A Tale of Suspense and Psychological Horror!
Brian Cohn is living a nightmare. His recently deceased father, who Brian shares the disease of schizophrenia with, confessed to being a serial killer of little girls on his death bed. Now Brian is racing to solve the mystery of a missing child in his town, all the while feeling his condition taking a deeper and deeper grip on his psyche and his mind beginning to unravel.
From acclaimed author Joshua Hale Fialkov (Tumor, Pilot Season: Alibi) and rising star artist Rahsan Ekedal (Creepy) a disturbing story of murder and mystery wrapped in questions of sanity.
“This is an absolute buy. I can’t recommend it enough.” – Graphic Policy
“You’d be hard-pressed to find a more gripping and inventive psychological thriller in any medium.” – Panels on Pages
Grayscale, 32 pages, $2.99, limited series, expected ship date 23 March 2011


Witchblade Redemption Volume 2 Trade Paperback
Written by Ron Marz, Phil Smith, art by Stjepan Sejic, Michael Gaydos, Alina Urusov, cover by Stjepan Sejic
Redemption Meets Artifacts!
Sara Pezzini, current bearer of the Witchblade, has been to Hell and back. As she finally begins to get her private and work life back in order, the Universe decides it has other plans. Sara must help a kindred spirit in Abby van Alstine, the Necromancer, deal with her powers and mantle and then is dragged into the epic Artifacts storyline when her daughter Hope is taken and her sister Julie is killed by the same robotic assassin Sara let get away in the recent past.
Collected in this volume are a series of stand-alone Witchblade stories originally printed in issues #137-141 written by Top Cow architect Ron Marz (Artifacts, Magdalena) and featuring art by Stjepan Sejic (Angelus). Also included as a special bonus is Witchblade: Due Process by Top Cow Holiday Special team Phil Smith and Alina Urusov. Featuring behind-the-scenes sketches, script pages, and cover gallery by Sejic, Eisner award winner Michael Gaydos (Alias), Urusov and Randy Queen (Darkchylde).
“Marz and Sejic as they continue to drive the Witchblade title to new heights with great stories and great artwork.” – Comic Attack
“I can’t say enough great things about this book.” – Image Addiction
“Compelling storytelling, beautiful artwork and dynamic characters make this a series not to be missed.” – Weekly Comic Review
“... a first-rate book that I thoroughly enjoyed.” – Best Shots @Newsarama
Full colour, 160 pages, $19.99, trade paperback, expected ship date 16 March 2011

Darkness Origins Volume 3 Trade Paperback
Written by Garth Ennis, Malachy Coney, art by Marc Silvestri, Joe Benitez, cover by Joe Benitez
Sonatine Returns and The Magdalena Debuts!
Go back and see Jackie Estacado as a fledgling bearer of The Darkness as The Darkness Origins trade line continues. Jackie’s life is turned further upside down when his foster sister, Appolonia Franchetti returns to New York and the ruthless mafia princess soon plots to become the next Angelus in order to crush her sibling. Soon after, Jackie is confronted by yet another righteous woman who wishes to see him dead – the Magdalena!
Collected in this volume are classic issues #11-18 by Garth Ennis (Preacher) and Malachy Coney with art by Marc Silvestri (X-Men/Dark Avengers: Utopia) and Joe Benitez (Lady Mechanika).
Full colour, 160 pages, $19.99, trade paperback, expected Ship Date 2 March 2011

Witchblade Volume 1 Deluxe Slipcase
Written by Ron Marz, art by Michael Choi, Chris Bachelo, Stephen Sadowski, Stjepan Sejic, and Top Cow’s Finest, cover by Stjepan Sejic
Available for the first time, this limited edition beautiful slipcase collects Witchblade Volume 1 through 4 by Ron Marz (Artifacts) at a bargain price. These volumes collect issues #80 through #109. Quantities are limited, allocations may occur.
Full colour, 820 pages, $49.99, Set (x4 Trades), expected ship date 30 March 2011

Witchblade #139 Randy Queen LBCC Variant Cover
Written by Ron Marz, art by Michael Gaydos, cover by Randy Queen
Get this exclusive convention variant cover by Randy Queen (Darkchylde), previously available only at Long Beach Comic-Con. Quantities are limited, allocations may occur.
Full colour, 32 pages, $10.00, variant exclusive

Artifacts #2 New York Comic-Con Variant Cover Signed Edition
Written by Ron Marz, art by Michael Broussard, cover by Stjepan Sejic
Get this haunting convention variant cover of Aphrodite IV signed by interior artist Michael Broussard, previously available exclusively at New York Comic-Con. Quantities are limited, allocations may occur.
Full colour, 32 pages, $19.99, signed edition

Magdalena #7 Signed Edition
Written by Ron Marz, art by Keu Cha, cover by Nelson Blake II
Get a limited edition first issue signed by Ron Marz, Keu Cha, and Nelson Blake II. Quantities are limited, allocations may occur.
Full colour, 32 pages, $14.99, signed edition

Twilight Guardian #1 Signed Edition
Written by Troy Hickman, art by Siddharth Kotian, cover by Eric Jones
Get a limited edition first issue signed by creator and writer Troy Hickman. Quantities are limited, allocations may occur.
Full colour, 32 pages, $14.99, signed edition