REVIEW: 'Witchblood' #6 by Matthew Erman, Lisa Sterle, and Gaby Contreras

 Witchblood returns in its most explosive issue so far! 

WITCHBLOOD #6

Writer: Matthew Erman

Artist: Lisa Sterle

Publisher: Vault Comics

Release Date: September 8, 2021

Cover Price: $3.99

With Yonna, Atlacoya, and Texas Red hot on the tail of Paxton and The Hounds of Love, how close is too close? Featuring the First Appearance of the Witch Queen Esme!

Score:

★★★★1/2 (4.5/5)

QUICK REVIEW: After an explosive first arc finale where Yonna revealed her origin story and that of witches and vampires, issue six picks up with her, Atlacoya, and Texas Red in hot pursuit of Paxton and the Hounds of Love. Writer Matthew Erman has been creating layer upon layer of tension and drama that has led to this point and has put together two astonishing issues back-to-back. The new arc is a race to save Esme from the vicious gang of vampires and everyone from Yonna to General Paradisia is prepared to do whatever it takes. The issue is a propulsive chase sequence that culminates in a giant jaw-dropping climax. It's all depicted with amazing visuals from Lisa Sterle using creative and varied panel layouts that maximize the impact of the action. Esme's reveal is gorgeous and god-like producing the appropriate splash page for this powerful figure that's been mentioned but unseen since issue one. Gab Contreras' colors are bright and eye-popping but belie the gravity and sorrow of the action taking place. It's quite the juxtaposition that weighs heavy on the reader as a helpless bystander. 

'Witchblood' #6 is a climatic touchstone for the series where everything changes and every nightmare scenario is realized. Despite the efforts of all the heroes, the good guys don't win this time and that makes the story even more magnetic. Erman and company have taken their time in building a devastating tale about witches versus vampires that's fresh, exciting, and ultimately invigorating the genre. The payoff in issue six shows that anything can happen and will.