This article is about the Top Cow comic book series. For its fictional star character, sometimes colloquially known as Witchblade, see Sara Pezzini. For the TV series, see Witchblade (TV series). For the anime series of the same name, see Witchblade (anime).

Witchblade is a 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, writer Brian Haberlin, and artist Michael Turner Top Cow Productions (TCP) is an imprint of Image Comics founded by Marc Silvestri in the 1992. ... Image Comics Logo Image Comics is an American comic book publisher. ... David Wohl is a comic book writer and editor based out of Los Angeles, California, who has worked on many comics produced by Top Cow Productions. ... Marc Silvestri at a 2006 comic book convention. ... Brian Haberlin is an artist who has worked as a colorist in the comics industry. ... Michael Turner (born April 21, 1971) is a comic book artist born in Crossville, Tennessee and primarily known for his work on Witchblade and Fathom. ... Marc Silvestri at a 2006 comic book convention. ... David Wohl is a comic book writer and editor based out of Los Angeles, California, who has worked on many comics produced by Top Cow Productions. ... Brian Haberlin is an artist who has worked as a colorist in the comics industry. ... Michael Turner (born April 21, 1971) is a comic book artist born in Crossville, Tennessee and primarily known for his work on Witchblade and Fathom. ... A comic book is a magazine or book containing the art form of comics. ... Top Cow Productions (TCP) is an imprint of Image Comics founded by Marc Silvestri in the 1992. ... In the publishing industry, an imprint is a brand name under which a work is published. ... Image Comics Logo Image Comics is an American comic book publisher. ... Marc Silvestri at a 2006 comic book convention. ... David Wohl is a comic book writer and editor based out of Los Angeles, California, who has worked on many comics produced by Top Cow Productions. ... Brian Haberlin is an artist who has worked as a colorist in the comics industry. ... Michael Turner (born April 21, 1971) is a comic book artist born in Crossville, Tennessee and primarily known for his work on Witchblade and Fathom. ...

The series previously starred 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 women throughout history, the most recent being Danielle Baptiste. Others who have came 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. Sara Pezzini is the main character in the comic book and TV series Witchblade, portrayed in the latter by Yancy Butler. ... NYPD redirects here. ... Homicide (Latin homicidium, homo human being + caedere to cut, kill) refers to the act of killing another human being. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Sentience is the capacity for basic consciousness -- the ability to feel or perceive, not necessarily including the faculty of self-awareness. ... This article is about artifacts in fantasy and roleplaying. ... This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... It has been suggested that Name of Joan of Arc be merged into this article or section. ... Categories: Possible copyright violations ...

The title was written largely by Christina Z and edited by David Wohl. There have been talks of a reunion^{[citation needed]}, though it is unclear if that will occur.

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, JLA, and the X-Men’s Wolverine. A spin-off (or spinoff) is a new organization or entity formed by a split from a larger one such as a new company formed from a university research group. ... A fictional crossover occurs when two or more otherwise separated fictional characters, stories, settings, universes, or media meet and interact with each other. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... The X-Men are a group of comic book superheroes featured in Marvel Comics. ... For other uses, see Wolverine (disambiguation). ...

Witchblade was adapted into a television movie (Witchblade (TV series)) in 2000 and series (2001-2002), both starring Yancy Butler. The series was moderately successful. An unrelated film may be released in 2007. “Telefilm” redirects here. ... Following a pilot film in August 2000, the cable network TNT premiered a Witchblade television series based on the Witchblade comic book series in 2001. ... Yancy Butler (born July 2, 1970) is an American television and movie actress. ...

The title was also adapted into a Japanese anime (Witchblade (anime)) and a manga series in 2004. 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 comic books series (which had a limited print run). The main cast of the anime Cowboy Bebop (1998) (L to R: Spike Spiegel, Jet Black, Ed Tivrusky, Faye Valentine, and Ein the dog) For the oleo-resin, see Animé (oleo-resin). ... This article is about the anime series. ... Manga )   (pl. ...

The Witchblade

Sara Pezzini wields the Witchblade. Art by Michael Tuner.

The Witchblade is an intelligent, ancient, and conscious weapon with extra-terrestrial origins and one of thirteen other weapons. It is the offspring of the universe’s opposing aspects, the Darkness and the Angelus (the dark and the light). A male aspect created to act as a balance, which must have a female as a host. The Witchblade was found in Greece by Kenneth Irons, but before he found it, it had many wielders. When not in use, it can look like an ornate, jewel encrusted, right handed gauntlet. When wielded by an unworthy user, that person will lose their arm. It forms a symbiotic relationship with the host, who can hear the Witchblade. When used, it expands across the body of the wielder, shredding clothes and covering the body like an armour. The armour seems subjective depending on the level of threat. Faced against mortals, it will usually generate less armour than when faced against a demon of hell. This armour can form swords, other stabbing weapons, shields, and wings, enabling the wielder to fly. It may also become temperamental if it chooses not to be used. When wielded, it can shoot energy blasts from the hand or sword, fire projectile darts, and 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, can empathetically show the wielder scenes of great trauma, and also relive experiences from wielders of the past in dream like experiences. Image File history File links W25. ... Image File history File links W25. ... The Darkness is a series of comics produced by Top Cow Productions (TCP). ...

Top Cow's world

The Top Cow universe is populated by demons, dimensional gates, ghosts and magic. Supers are generally enhanced humans from government, or private entrepreneurial projects. Both the mafia and the Yakuza are prominent forces. Sara’s precinct, 18, or “one eight” is in the roughest part of New York, where murders occur often. There is a reference to a time that no homicides were reported for two days straight, which the precinct took as a sign of the Apocalypse. Religious followers of God and Satan are prolific, with agents of both sides frequently showing up with their minions to do battle.

Television series

Main article: Witchblade (TV series)

Following a pilot film in August 2000, the cable 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 cancelled in September 2002.^[1] Announced as a production decision, the cancellation nevertheless provoked widespread speculation that the true reason was Butler's alcoholism. Butler was ordered to enter rehab for alcoholism a year later, after being arrested for wandering drunk amidst traffic.^[2] Following a pilot film in August 2000, the cable network TNT premiered a Witchblade television series based on the Witchblade comic book series in 2001. ... Coaxial cable is often used to transmit cable television into the house. ... Turner Network Television, usually referred to as TNT, is a cable TV network created by media mogul Ted Turner and currently owned by the Turner Broadcasting System division of Time Warner. ... A television program is the content of television broadcasting. ... This is a list of television-related events in 2001. ... Marc Silvestri at a 2006 comic book convention. ... Yancy Butler (born July 2, 1970) is an American television and movie actress. ... Alcoholism is the consumption of, or preoccupation with, alcoholic beverages to the extent that this behavior interferes with the drinkers normal personal, family, social, or work life, and may lead to physical or mental harm. ...

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. A movie version is said to be released in 2007 and is in production.^[3] June 12 is the 163rd day of the year (164th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ... August 26 is the 238th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (239th in leap years). ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ...

Anime series

Main article: Witchblade (Anime)

Masane Amaha of the Witchblade anime series.

In 2004 Japanese animation studio GONZO announced an anime version of Witchblade, with a subsequent manga adaptation. The anime version is considered controversial by some due to the fact that 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. The fact is this series sets up an entire new story, with all new characters, and is considered canon.^[4] This article is about the anime series. ... Image File history File links Masane_Witchblade. ... Image File history File links Masane_Witchblade. ... Animation is the rapid display of a sequence of images of 2-D artwork or model positions in order to create an illusion of movement. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Gonzo journalism. ... The main cast of the anime Cowboy Bebop (1998) (L to R: Spike Spiegel, Jet Black, Ed Tivrusky, Faye Valentine, and Ein the dog) For the oleo-resin, see Animé (oleo-resin). ... Manga )   (pl. ... Itagaki was a Japanese politician who was one of the original leaders of the Meiji Restoration. ... Nipponisation (or Nipponization) is the term used for the influence Japan has on the culture of other countries; primarily, the United States; while not as severe as Americanization, which substitutes foreign material with American Pop Culture to meet either censorship standards or attempt to relate characters better to the Western... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

The anime series 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 6 years before the series "year zero", Masane has no recollection of her past previous 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.

Manga

Likewise, one manga 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). Manga )   (pl. ...

Witchblade Takeru

This story^[5] introduces Takeru who is an average Japanese highschool girl raised in a Buddhist convent by nuns. She has been experiencing reoccurring nightmares about the Witchblade calling out to her. This is due to the secret that the temple houses within, the Witchblade sealed inside a box. Furthermore, her lineage keeps an unknown connection with the mystic artifact and the folklore of the Oni, 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. A statue of an Oni wielding a tetsubo. ...

Witchblade Takeru started serial run since March 2006 in Champion Red magazine under publisher Akita Shoten. Story by Kobayashi Yasuko with art made by Sumita Kazasa, whose art and illustrations carry over an erotic style. The head office of Akita Shōten Akita Shōten ) is a Japanese publishing company established on August 10, 1948 in Chiyoda, Tokyo. ...

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. Tin plate toy car by Bandai Bandai is a Japanese toy making company. ...

Japanese novel

Witchblade Lost Generation ~ Midori no Shoujo

Yuri Miyazono, the lead protagonist from the Witchblade novel.

It is another story published as a Japanese novel 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. Image File history File links Witchbladenovel_YuriMiyazono. ... Image File history File links Witchbladenovel_YuriMiyazono. ... A novel (from French nouvelle Italian novella, new) is an extended, generally fictional narrative, typically in prose. ... Tokuma Shoten (徳間書店) is one of the largest entertainment publishers in Japan. ...

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 has explained it happens 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. This article is about the prefecture. ...

Characters

• Ian Nottingham

English, formerly a Captain for special air services for MI5. Underwent behavioural modifications so he could get deep undercover in the Yakuza. Forgot his past, and became a bodyguard for Kenneth Irons. Has phenomenal skill, both with archaic and modern weapons, bordering on the superatural. In Issue #1, Ian kills Sara’s partner, Michael Yi. For a time his body and soul underwent a great change, allowing Ian the capabilty to absorb great quantities of energy, 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 sword was merely a shard of the Witchblade, which quickly reabsorbed it. Ian, out of love for Sara, turns on Irons Ian Nottingham is a character from the Witchblade comics and television series, and an assassin in the employ of Kenneth Irons. ...

• Kenneth Irons

A rich entrepreneur that discovered the Witchblade in Greece. His age is undefined, laying somewhere between eighty and more than a century. However, due to his exposure to the Witchblade during an attempt to wield it, Irons does not age at a normal rate, appearing to be no older than thirty-five. He travels everywhere with his trusted bodyguard Ian Nottingham, 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. Wife became Ms. Boucher. Son is Microwave killer. Took over First Church of Prosperity. In issue #75, Kenneth Irons was one of the 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. Categories: Possible copyright violations ...

• Joe Siry

Sara’s captain at 18^th precinct He was the partner to Sara's dead father, Detective Vincent Pezzini, and has a tendency to dote on her as if she was his daughter. He is married to Dalia. It was revealed that Siry had a hidden agenda with Irons, which forced to him kill Vincent Pezzini in order to protect Sara.

• Jake McCarthy

Sara’s best friend and partner. Madly in love with Sara, but it is un-requited. He fell into a coma after he was wounded defending a weakened Sara. When he awoke in issue #100, he was possessed by a malevolent being, bent on destroying the world. Sara drove the demonic force out of his body, but Jake committed suicide to ensure that it could never return.

• Lisa

Daughter of Maria, a deceased friend of Sara's. Sara promised Maria that she would keep an eye on Lisa. Makes her living as a model.

• Julie Pezzini

Sara’s sister. Was romantically involved with Jake, but the two broke up when Jake found that she was running drugs. Under the effects of a hope-suppressing evil, Jake later returned and shot Julie. She survived and is stil recuperating.

• Jackie Estacado

Wielder of the Darkness. Jackie has had many run-ins with Sara, as he is not only a wielder of a force of supreme supernatural power, but also a mafia hitman. The Darkness is a series of comics produced by Top Cow Productions (TCP). ...

• Tora No Shi

Yakuza assassin who is introduced in issue 15. Works for the Yakuza in the Family Ties storyline and gets beaten by Jackie. Reappears in issue 54. Fights Ian Nottingham, then attepts to assassinate Kenneth Irons at Caulty Towers. Ian shows up and destroys Tora. After that Irons takes Tora as his new bodyguard/tool and begins a series of chemical rituals on him (Story can be shown in the Blood Relations TPB). In the Deathpool storyline Tora is one of the characters voted to be killed by the fans. He is promptly killed by Ian in issue 75. Tora No Shi Psychotic, Ruthless, and Sadistic are adjectives that can describe Tora No Shi. ...

Witchblade Obakemono Tan, Gorder, Firchow(artist)

Image File history File links Download high resolution version (948x1521, 490 KB) Summary Gorder, Tan and Ferchow Licensing This image is a single panel from the interior of a single issue of a comic book and the copyright for it is most likely owned by either the publisher of the... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (948x1521, 490 KB) Summary Gorder, Tan and Ferchow Licensing This image is a single panel from the interior of a single issue of a comic book and the copyright for it is most likely owned by either the publisher of the... Billy Tan Mung Khoy, commonly known as Billy Tan, is a Malaysian comic book artist. ...

Blade wielders

In reverse chronological order:

• Persephani (fictitious, wielder in the far future)
• Masane Amaha (fictitious, from the Witchblade anime, near future)
• Yuuri Miyazono (fictitious)
• Takeru Ibaraki (fictitious, from the Witchblade manga)
• Debbie Santalesa (fictitious, from Dark Minds Witchblade, near future)
• Selina Alice Lauren (fictitious, wielder, near future)
• Ivy Pezzini (fictitious, Sara's daughter in a possible future)
• Danielle Baptiste (fictitious, the wielder after Sara)
• Wonder Woman (JLA/Witchblade)
• Ian Nottingham (fictitious)
• Kimberly Tossovova (alt. reality, fictitious)
• Sara Pezzini (fictitious)
• Colin X (fictitious, first male wielder)
• Tasya Federova (fictitious)
• Josephine Valmont (fictitious)
• Elizabeth Brontë
• Marie Curie
• Florence Nightingale
• Enola
• Anne Bonny
• Roxanne Laroque (fictitious)
• Shiori-sama
• Queen Isabella
• Queen Kijani
• Joan of Arc
• Maitea
• Annabella Altavista
• Itagaki
• Leung Lin Yao
• Septima Zenobia
• Cathain
• Samantha (fictitious)
• Boudica
• Cleopatra
• Princess Raquel (fictitious)
• Artemisia
• Lysandra
• Myrine
• Una, the first bearer (fictitious)

Wonder Woman is a fictional DC Comics superheroine co-created by William Moulton Marston and wife Elizabeth Holloway Marston. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... Ian, out of love for Sara, turns on Irons Ian Nottingham is a character from the Witchblade comics and television series, and an assassin in the employ of Kenneth Irons. ... Sara Pezzini is the main character in the comic book and TV series Witchblade, portrayed in the latter by Yancy Butler. ... Elizabeth Bronte was, in Witchblade, the original series, the Bladeweilder who immediately preceded Sara Pezzini. ... Madame Curie redirects here. ... Florence Nightingale, OM, RRC (12 May 1820 – 13 August 1910), who came to be known as The Lady with the Lamp, was a pioneer of modern nursing, and a noted statistician. ... Anne Bonny from a Dutch version of Charles Johnsons book of pirates. ... Isabella of Castile Isabella I (April 22, 1451 – November 26, 1504) was Queen regnant of Castile and Leon. ... It has been suggested that Name of Joan of Arc be merged into this article or section. ... Lady Hangaku ) was a Japanese warrior, one of the very few Japanese warrior women known to history or classical literature. ... This article is about the Queen of the Palmyrene Empire. ... Statue of Boudica near Westminster Pier, London, with her two daughters upon a chariot Boudica (also spelled Boudicca, formerly better known as Boadicea) (d. ... Cleopatra was a co-ruler of Egypt with her father (Ptolemy XII Auletes), her brothers/husbands Ptolemy XIII and Ptolemy XIV, consummated a liaison with Gaius Julius Caesar that solidified her grip on the throne, and, after Caesars assassination, aligned with Mark Antony, with whom she produced twins. ... Artemisia was the name of two queens of Halicarnassus in the 5th century BC and 4th century BC. The first Artemisia was the daughter of Lygdamis and was set up as the tyrant of Halicarnassus by the Persians, who were at the time the overlords of Ionia, after the death... Lysandra (in Greek Λυσανδρα; lived 3rd century BC) was daughter of Ptolemy I Soter and Eurydice, the daughter of Antipater. ... Myrine (Myrina, Myrene). ...

Pretenders

In reverse chronological order:

• Fiona (fictitious)
• John Sansmain (fictitious)
• Dannette Boucher (fictitious)
• Kenneth Irons (fictitious)
• Abigail Williams
• Elizabeth Paris
• Marie d'Estrada (fictitious)
• Mirabella Avila (fictitious)

Categories: Possible copyright violations ... Abigail Williams testimony against George Jacobs, Jr. ...

Parodies

• A parody of the witchblade, called the "Doucheblade" appears in Howard the Duck volume 2 issue 3, which was published under Marvel Comics' MAX imprint. The Doucheblade 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 uranium, however. The first wielder died of radiation poisoning, but the uranium appears to have become depleted, since its most recent user was Eleanor Roosevelt. It originally started to bond with a police woman named Suzi Pazuzu, but after a timely intervention by Dr. Bong bonded to Howard instead, who's DNA was unstable at the time, causing him to spontaneously change genders.

This article is about the character. ... Marvel Comics is an American comic book line published by Marvel Publishing, Inc. ... MAX is an imprint of Marvel Comics for adult audiences, launched in 2001 after Marvel broke with the Comics Code Authority and established its own rating system. ... General Name, Symbol, Number uranium, U, 92 Chemical series actinides Group, Period, Block n/a, 7, f Appearance silvery gray metallic; corrodes to a spalling black oxide coat in air Standard atomic weight 238. ... Anna Eleanor Roosevelt (October 11, 1884 – November 7, 1962) was an American political leader who used her stature as First Lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945 to promote her husbands (Franklin D. Roosevelts) New Deal, as well as civil rights. ... Doctor Bong is a fictional character, a supervillain appearing in the Marvel Comics universe. ...

References

1. ^ Josh, Grossberg (2002-09-05). "Witchblade" Sliced by TNT. E! Online. Retrieved on 2006-12-29.
2. ^ Josh, Grossberg (2003-11-24). "Witchblade" Star Ordered to Rehab. E! Online. Retrieved on 2006-12-29.
3. ^ Witchblade at the Internet Movie Database
4. ^ Top Cow Announces Witchblade Manga in 2007. Anime News Network (2006-12-12). Retrieved on 2007-3-24.
5. ^ Manga Review: Witchblade ~ Takeru ~ Chapter 1

• 1.THE PULSE news of The Year of the Witchblade

For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... December 29 is the 363rd day of the year (364th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 2 days remaining. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... December 29 is the 363rd day of the year (364th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 2 days remaining. ... The Internet Movie Database (IMDb) is an online database of information about movies, actors, television shows, production crew personnel, and video games. ...

External links

• Top Cow Witchblade page
• Unofficial Witchblade television site
• Witchblade television fan website
• GONZO Witchblade anime site (Japanese)
• Air dates and episode guide
• Collected artworks
• Sara's Precinct
• Don Markstein's Toonopedia article on Witchblade
• INSIDE BANDAI'S WITCHBLADE MANGA COLLECTIONS
• WITCHBLADE #80 - THE FULL ISSUE
• WITCHBLADE #81 - THE FULL ISSUE
• WITCHBLADE #82 - THE FULL ISSUE
• WITCHBLADE #83 - THE FULL ISSUE
• WITCHBLADE #84 - THE FULL ISSUE
• WITCHBLADE #85 - THE FULL ISSUE
• WITCHBLADE: SHADES OF GRAY #1
• WITCHBLADE #105, WITCHBLADE: TAKERU #3