Lately, I’ve been urging myself to try new comics, and my search has lead me to Stjepan Sejic and his latest title, Switch, from Top Cow Productions. I was a little apprehensive because from the cover I realized it’s something to do with Witchblade; a character/story that’s over 20 years old. I was fearful of getting to know another continuity quagmire (looking at you DC and Marvel!), however, Sejic has earned a good reputation and a bit of a cult following from some of his other works, like Sunstone and Death Vigil, so I gave the book a try despite my hesitations.
“After millions of views on DeviantArt, this popular web comic finally gets its own series. A teenage girl gets a mighty artifact that grants her immense powers…the catch? It’s a bit haunted! This self-contained “universe” includes Artifacts and characters from other series (with permission!) in a delectably STJEPAN SEJIC fashion!”
The first thing that surprised me was how enjoyable the book was. I found myself groaning at any distraction that would pry me away, until finally I didn’t put it down till I had hit the other side of the cover. Between Sejic’s art and story telling I found my experience captivating, yet finishing was a painful, because I knew it was going to feel like forever until I got my hands on the next issue. I ending up rereading Switch, something that doesn’t usually happen unless I’ve gotten really vested into the story and characters.
That whole continuity mess that I was so fearful of before I got to know this book? Nope, nonexistent. Not a lick those 20 years had burdened the story or made the process of getting to know the characters more difficult. It even surprised me when it didn’t only include Witchblade, but also Darkness; another 20 year continuity titan. I didn’t need to know anything about those two stories to connect with what the book was saying, and that was just as impressive as the story.
The last thing, and probably the coolest bit that’s probably going to drive me straight into any work Sejic has done, is that Sejic is a one man band; he’s the pencils, inks, colors, letters, and writer for his own work. Not only is that rare to find but to see it active in a serial print format is incredible. I can guarantee that my next purchases will be Death Vigil volumes and whatever else I can get my hands on.
At the end of the day I am glad about my choice to try Switch. I hope adding it to my pull folder will help keep it going, because I honestly want to know where the story is goes and see more of Sejic’s gorgeous art.
Images and excerpt courtesy of Top Cow
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