ARTIFACTS #1
“Separately, 13 Artifacts guide the fate of the universe
Together, 13 Artifacts will end the universe”
Artifacts first kicked off on Free Comic Book Day with a zero issue where we saw Aphrodite IV regenerating with the help of an unknown assailant. The unknown assailant wants to bring all of the thirteen Artifacts together with the help of Aphrodite IV.
THE 13 ARTIFACTS
Darkness
Angelus
Witchblade
Rapture
Spear of Destiny
Glacier Stone
Ember Stone
Pandora’s Box
Blood Sword
Wheel of Shadows
Heartstone
Coin of Solomon
13th Artifact
Like the X-Men: Second Coming event this series has a child called Hope who is the biological daughter of Jackie Estacado and Sara Pezzini and also has special immense power within her. She is kidnapped by Aphrodite IV. We are reintroduced with various bearers of the Artifacts and their powers. Tom Judge the current bearer of the Rapture is warned by the Curator that if all of the thirteen Artifacts are brought together then it will mean the extinction of the universe.
THE CHARACTERS
Jackie Estacado – Bearer of the Darkness
Danielle Baptiste – Host to the Angelus Force
Sara Pezzini – Host of the Witchblade
Hope Pezzini – Daughter of Sara Pezzini and Jackie Estacado
Tom Judge – Bearer of the Rapture
Aphrodite IV – Fourth Generation Cyborg with a Purpose
After numerous promotions and interviews on various comic book sites I finally picked up this limited series and all I have to say is that it is worth every penny. Rather buying useless crap like Secret Avengers or New Avengers its time for comic fans to try something new and refreshing. Whether you are new or an old fan of Top Cow this is a very reader friendly series with lots of background information so no one is lost. However I will go back and read First Born and Broken Trinity series which will enrich my experience of Artifacts.
Comic writer Ron Marz has a gift of grabbing attention on the first page and he keeps you hooked. I remember him when he first took over Green Lantern during Emerald Twilight and introduced us to Kyle Rayner way back in 1994. Marz describes Artifacts as the culmination of years of character development within the Top Cow Universe that will ultimately add a new character by the series end. The artwork is simply amazing and this is the first time I have heard of Michael Broussard. Definitely following this series as it progresses and reveals the excitement being brought back to comicdom.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED – 5 OUT OF 5
