Complete Witchblade Hardcover Vol 1: A Return to ’90s Supernatural Grit

Few titles have captured the evolving tone of 1990s comic books like Witchblade. In The Complete Witchblade Vol. 1 Hardcover, Top Cow and Image Comics offer a definitive, beautifully bound collection that reintroduces this iconic series to both longtime fans and new readers. Whether you’re nostalgic for the era of leather jackets, grunge, and bold storytelling or curious about one of the most enduring supernatural heroines in comic history, this volume is a must-have.

At a whopping 800+ pages, this deluxe hardcover collects Witchblade issues 1–19, Tales of the Witchblade #½, and various crossovers and bonus material. It’s more than a reprint — it’s a celebration of a franchise that has left an indelible mark on the industry.

The hardcover itself is a work of art: elegant dust jacket, bold embossing on the hardcover beneath, high-quality paper stock, and a silk bookmark ribbon. The pages inside have been carefully remastered to retain the bold colors and edgy line work that defined the Top Cow house style. Michael Turner’s art is arguably the soul of early Witchblade, and here it’s presented in all its glory.

Complete Witchblade Vol. 1

Turner’s mastery of form, anatomy, and supernatural flare creates a kinetic energy that leaps off every page. His portrayal of Sara Pezzini — the tough NYPD detective who becomes the bearer of the Witchblade — is both fierce and graceful. The mix of street realism and mythic fantasy is what gave Witchblade its distinctive identity, and Turner nails that duality.

The later issues in this collection also showcase early work by artists like Tony Daniel and Francis Manapul, whose unique styles start to shift the tone slightly, hinting at the visual evolution of the series. Even with multiple artists, the art direction remains cohesive, thanks to strong editorial guidance and the consistent palette from colorists like Jonathan D. Smith and Nathan Cabrera.

At its core, Witchblade is a hybrid of crime noir and supernatural epic. This collection begins with Sara Pezzini’s gritty life as a homicide detective in New York City. The moment she comes into contact with the Witchblade — an ancient, semi-sentient gauntlet of immense power — her life is irrevocably changed.

David Wohl and Christina Z. handle the writing duties in this volume, layering Sara’s story with intrigue, darkness, and a surprisingly emotional depth. Sara is not a superhero in the traditional sense — she’s vulnerable, flawed, and fiercely loyal. The writers strike a balance between fast-paced action and introspective moments that delve into her psychology and moral compass.

The volume also begins to unfold the deeper mythology of the Witchblade artifact itself, which is described as a balance between the forces of the universe: chaos and order, light and dark, male and female. This gendered mystical element added a fresh and provocative dimension to the genre, especially during the testosterone-heavy era in which it debuted.

Characters like Kenneth Irons and Ian Nottingham begin as enigmatic presences but soon blossom into complex foils, playing their own long games. Irons, with his obsession over the Witchblade, brings a Lex Luthor-esque menace, while Nottingham provides a brooding, morally ambiguous counterpoint to Sara’s integrity.

Crossovers included in this volume — including early appearances by The Darkness and hints of the broader Top Cow universe — enrich the experience. Readers can feel the interconnectedness of this world without being lost in a web of convoluted continuity.

One of the most compelling aspects of Witchblade is its examination of feminine strength, autonomy, and identity. While critics have rightly pointed out that the early issues sometimes lean into the male gaze with cheesecake art, there’s also a deeper exploration of empowerment and control.

Sara is never a passive protagonist. She wrestles with the Witchblade's influence, asserting her will while navigating a world that constantly tries to objectify or manipulate her. Her relationships — with her partner Jake, her friend Julie, and her mentor Joe Siry — reflect a grounded emotional reality that contrasts with the high-concept supernatural drama.

The idea of a weapon that chooses its bearer, particularly one that traditionally chooses women, opens discussions about legacy, destiny, and resistance. The Witchblade isn’t just a tool — it’s a metaphor for responsibility and self-discovery.

This volume subtly explores how power changes people, for better or worse. Sara’s arc from detective to wielder of ancient magic mirrors a rite of passage, and the writers never lose sight of her humanity.

Beyond the core issues, the book includes:

• Concept art by Michael Turner

• Behind-the-scenes sketches

• Creator commentary

• Variant covers and promotional art

• Historical essays on the development of Witchblade

  
  

These extras provide insight into how the series evolved from a bold new title in the ‘90s to a multimedia powerhouse, with adaptations in television, manga, and video games. The creators’ reflections are especially poignant given Michael Turner’s passing in 2008. Seeing his vision presented so reverently in this volume is both a tribute and a reminder of his legacy.

Witchblade was always more than a flashy comic with a sexy lead. It was part of a shift in the industry, where creator-owned titles explored new territories outside the Big Two. It brought genre fusion to the forefront — mixing horror, noir, fantasy, and superheroics in a way that felt ahead of its time.

This volume reminds readers why Sara Pezzini’s story mattered. She wasn’t a billionaire, alien, or god. She was a woman doing her best in an unjust world, given power she never asked for, and using it to protect others — even at great personal cost.

In an age when comics are increasingly cinematic and sprawling, The Complete Witchblade Vol. 1 offers a focused, character-driven epic that still delivers spectacle. It feels both vintage and timeless.

Whether you’re a longtime fan revisiting the world of Sara Pezzini or a newcomer looking for an entry point into Top Cow’s mythos, The Complete Witchblade Vol. 1 Hardcover is a masterfully curated experience. The art is dazzling, the writing holds up better than many of its contemporaries, and the themes resonate in today’s conversations about power and identity.

This is how deluxe editions should be done: respectful of the past, enriching to the present, and timeless in their appeal.

MSS Score: 9.5/10

Highly recommended for fans of supernatural crime dramas, strong female protagonists, and comic book history.

Order your copy here: https://amzn.to/4laQc35