Witchblade & Darkness Universe

[DanTheMan]

Just started reading these books. I love the art and story but am a little confused by the overall universe with so many multiple titles. Artifacts seems essential reading as well. How about Aphrodite? I noticed they were not solicited in the current previews? Any thoughts on these books would be welcome. I don't see much discussion on this site about them?

[WeirdSpace]

The Aphrodite IX series is not a part of the Darkness/Witchlade series per se. The Aphrodite androids are, and Aphrodite IV is in Witchblade. Aphrodite IX is taking a break. There is supposed to be a season two.

Darkness and Witchblade are connected, and the first 24 issues of Artifacts or so are also heavily connected to Darkness/Witchblade.

For the most part, I don't like what they did with the characters after the reboot a couple of years ago. Witchblade has been handled pretty well. Good art, good stories. The changes they did with the supporting cast, e.g. Dani, don't feel right, but at least they make some sort of sense. Darkness and Artifacts sort of lost their way, IMO.

[Dark-Flux]

The current titles of Witchblade, Darkness (not current as is cancelled i guess), Cyber Force, Aphrodite IX and Artifacts are all part of the same universe. Though not necessarily connected. Just like how say Batman and Green Lantern are related.

Aphrodite IX has been a great read and imo Top Cows best book since it launched. Its due to end next issue, then it has a crossover with Cyber Force before eventually being retooled as The IXth Generation.
Not sure on the status of Cyber Force.

For my money, i didnt enjoy Witchblade as much since rebirth as it seemed to regress into more of a 90s era style over substance affair. Not necessarily a bad thing but not to my preference. Its getting back on track now that Marz has returned.

Hines Darkness i found enjoyable. Just a bit naff that it seemingly ignored the end of Hesters run. But as its own thing it was a good read. Sad that its at an end...

Artifacts has felt a bit directionless for a while now. Now that its going to focus more on Tom & Tilly im hoping itll improve.

Thread should be renamed Top Cow Universe, btw

[Brave Sir Robin]

I think the whole reboot was to kick off Artifacts and reset the old characters and freshen things up. I have read tons of Witchblade, but thought the book got goofy toward the big finale. I did like Seeley's treatment of the character in Chicago, but now that has been dropped from the timeline like it never happened. I think that whoever is in charge is trying to get their equilibrium back on this. I think Marz had a lot to do with it. It hasn't gone smoothly. I would have been a lot happier with the old Witchblade set up in NY with that set of characters. But that ship has sailed. I haven't read much Aphrodite IX yet. I hear it is decent but there has been a lot of great books out and I am a little wary of Top Cow after the reboot.

[Tayne Japal]

I liked the environment Tim Seeley created with the Witchblade rebirth, but not really digging how it was dropped when Marz took back over the book. I still read it, hoping for something other than the usual Witchblade/Darkness/Angelus stories. Aphrodite IX has been the best Top Cow book since it launched so I hope it comes back after its hiatus this summer. I dropped Artifacts at #34 (I thought it was going on hiatus also) but I may pick it up again when/if a stable creative gets on board and the run of Top Cow Talent Hunt winners is over. Cyberforce is delayed so much I forget that it exists.

My recommendation: Get trades of Aphrodite IX and Cyberforce in preparation for the crossover this summer.

[Ghost-Type]

The first 20-30 or so issues of Witchblade are solid, I can say that much. I haven't read any more. Not for any particular reason. The Angelus miniseries or whatever it was starring Dani(?) and her partner and struggles with the other angels(?) was cool. There's tonns of fun one-shots too like spin-offs with JLA and others.