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The Magdalena #1
Magdalena: Blood Divine
(W) Marcia Chen (P) Joe Benitez; Brian Ching (I) Joe Weems; Jason
Gorder; Danny Miki (C) Tyson Wengler; Jonathan D. Smith; Matt Nelson One of Top Cow's most controversial mini-series ever is collected together for the first time in the Magdalena: Blood Divine Trade Paper Back. Follow the Magdalena as she investigates a mysterious murder which leads her into a confrontation with a group of age old evil, the vampire. Can she survive a foe that is already dead? Plus, included in this special TPB, the Magdalena takes on the Angelus in a story taken from the hard to find half issue. All encompassed by a new cover by series artist Joe (The Darkness) Benitez, the first Magdalena TPB is sure to leave you thirsting for more!
SC, 7x10, 112pp, FC
Gorder; Danny Miki (C) Tyson Wengler; Jonathan D. Smith; Matt Nelson One of Top Cow's most controversial mini-series ever is collected together for the first time in the Magdalena: Blood Divine Trade Paper Back. Follow the Magdalena as she investigates a mysterious murder which leads her into a confrontation with a group of age old evil, the vampire. Can she survive a foe that is already dead? Plus, included in this special TPB, the Magdalena takes on the Angelus in a story taken from the hard to find half issue. All encompassed by a new cover by series artist Joe (The Darkness) Benitez, the first Magdalena TPB is sure to leave you thirsting for more!
SC, 7x10, 112pp, FC
112 pages, Trade Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
30 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 12, 2014
It may sound odd but since I am a huge fan of the biblical figure of Mary Magdalene, and also I am a huge fan of comics books, well, to me it was only natural to become a huge fan of the comic book character of The Magdalena.
I am proud to say that I've been able to get each appearance of the character in comics that it wasn't an easy task since not always she appears on her own comic book series but she also appears as a "guest star" on other titles usually on The Darkness, Witchblade, Vampirella, Tomb Raider, etc...
Some of the issues has been some limited printing or some comic book convention item, but while some appearance has been on TPBs (like her first appearance on The Darkness #15) most of them are on its original single comic book issues. Even I did a study (Yep! I am that level of fan) to verify that I have all her appearances and happily I was able to check out that I have them all. And well, to avoid wasting a good job I post it on a forum on the website "Comic Book Realm".
And I have to mention that without the priceless help of a very dear friend of mine, I wouldn't be able to get them all without her support.
To the people who aren't familiar with this great comic book character, The Magdalena is the champion and protector the Catholic Church, armed with the Spear of Longinus and the power to know the sins of a person.
Always there will be a Magdalena, if one falls, another will rise.
Blood Divine is not the first storyline where the character of The Magdalena appeared on print but it's the first appearance of a Magdalena in a chronological sense. Due that this story is set before of the event on The Darkness #15 and so on.
The miniseries has three issues. This first issue is even better in art angle than the other two issues of the miniseries thanks to the amazing work in colors by Tyson Wengler, you will notice the change on the other issues. Marcia Chen made a superb writing work and Joe Benitez in the art department too.
As I mentioned before, I don't know why they didn't use Tyson Wengler as the colorist on the rest of the books of this miniseries, the Joe Benitez's art is still very good but the you will notice a big change on the impact of the images.
I don't understand how this storyline didn't become polemic or commented, since when you learn the final part of certain letter telling of how the legacy of The Magdalena started, well to avoid spoiler, I can only tell that it's way shocking and polemic. I would expected that this storyline (or at least the third issue of the mini-series) would be more commented on the comic book circles and even other places and communities.
I like it a lot, with unexpected turns in the story. Honestly, you wouldn't be able to foretell how this story ends.
To any fan of the Magdalena, this miniseries is an essential "must-have" item.
Highly recommended!
I am proud to say that I've been able to get each appearance of the character in comics that it wasn't an easy task since not always she appears on her own comic book series but she also appears as a "guest star" on other titles usually on The Darkness, Witchblade, Vampirella, Tomb Raider, etc...
Some of the issues has been some limited printing or some comic book convention item, but while some appearance has been on TPBs (like her first appearance on The Darkness #15) most of them are on its original single comic book issues. Even I did a study (Yep! I am that level of fan) to verify that I have all her appearances and happily I was able to check out that I have them all. And well, to avoid wasting a good job I post it on a forum on the website "Comic Book Realm".
And I have to mention that without the priceless help of a very dear friend of mine, I wouldn't be able to get them all without her support.
To the people who aren't familiar with this great comic book character, The Magdalena is the champion and protector the Catholic Church, armed with the Spear of Longinus and the power to know the sins of a person.
Always there will be a Magdalena, if one falls, another will rise.
Blood Divine is not the first storyline where the character of The Magdalena appeared on print but it's the first appearance of a Magdalena in a chronological sense. Due that this story is set before of the event on The Darkness #15 and so on.
The miniseries has three issues. This first issue is even better in art angle than the other two issues of the miniseries thanks to the amazing work in colors by Tyson Wengler, you will notice the change on the other issues. Marcia Chen made a superb writing work and Joe Benitez in the art department too.
As I mentioned before, I don't know why they didn't use Tyson Wengler as the colorist on the rest of the books of this miniseries, the Joe Benitez's art is still very good but the you will notice a big change on the impact of the images.
I don't understand how this storyline didn't become polemic or commented, since when you learn the final part of certain letter telling of how the legacy of The Magdalena started, well to avoid spoiler, I can only tell that it's way shocking and polemic. I would expected that this storyline (or at least the third issue of the mini-series) would be more commented on the comic book circles and even other places and communities.
I like it a lot, with unexpected turns in the story. Honestly, you wouldn't be able to foretell how this story ends.
To any fan of the Magdalena, this miniseries is an essential "must-have" item.
Highly recommended!
September 14, 2019
The Magdalena by M.M. Chen is a well-drawn action-packed graphic novel. I discovered her when I was enjoying various other Top Cow heroines; Lara Croft, Fathom, and Witchblade, to name a few. The Magdalena is a warrior for the Catholic Church. She is descended from Mary Magdalene and supports the Church in its battles against demons and such. She possesses the Spear of Destiny, made from the spear that pierced Christ's side while he was on the cross. She has other powers, such as the ability to determine if someone is evil.
I think in this story they tried a bit too hard. The artwork, while still dark and rich, is often filled with too many people and objects to make sense of who is who. I found the story in this one also a bit convoluted. There were two ongoing storylines, one in Paris where the Magdalena is investigating the murder of a priest in an orphanage and it looks like 'vampires'. As well, a priest has arrived at the Vatican from Belgium with a discovery; ancient artifacts and a letter from one of the original Magdalena's to her daughter, telling her that the Church is corrupt. Does that mean that the Magdalena is a threat to the Church?? So there you go, that's the basic story; the Magdalena asks for help to kill the vampires and is sent other Church warriors (who may have been part of the original Inquisition.. complex?). Are the vampires actually a threat? You'll have to find that out. Lots of action and interesting artwork.
There is a bonus story at the end, where the Magdalena goes to Central America to contact Angelus, an ancient deity. They really tried to cram too much into this short story. Anyway, I do like The Magdalena, another powerful female comic character, this just wasn't her best story. (3 stars)
I think in this story they tried a bit too hard. The artwork, while still dark and rich, is often filled with too many people and objects to make sense of who is who. I found the story in this one also a bit convoluted. There were two ongoing storylines, one in Paris where the Magdalena is investigating the murder of a priest in an orphanage and it looks like 'vampires'. As well, a priest has arrived at the Vatican from Belgium with a discovery; ancient artifacts and a letter from one of the original Magdalena's to her daughter, telling her that the Church is corrupt. Does that mean that the Magdalena is a threat to the Church?? So there you go, that's the basic story; the Magdalena asks for help to kill the vampires and is sent other Church warriors (who may have been part of the original Inquisition.. complex?). Are the vampires actually a threat? You'll have to find that out. Lots of action and interesting artwork.
There is a bonus story at the end, where the Magdalena goes to Central America to contact Angelus, an ancient deity. They really tried to cram too much into this short story. Anyway, I do like The Magdalena, another powerful female comic character, this just wasn't her best story. (3 stars)
April 14, 2020
I enjoyed this comic, which was written by a woman about a woman, before that was a popular thing in comics. It is a comic that falls squarely into the boobs and blades kinds of comics, and while the outfits are ridiculous, I feel like the unique storyline makes it worth reading. I love the twist on the Mary Magdalene tale and the modern take on vampires. I would suggest that the 4th part of the book doesn't make sense unless you've got access to other comics from this series.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews