WHILE WITCHBLADE'S AWAY...
A 2 Issue Story Arc Starring Witchblade's Partner and Guest Artist Matthew Dow Smith

Berkeley, CA - February 4, 2011 -

Image Comics has announced that Top Cow Productions' WITCHBLADE is taking a break from recent events for a special two-part part story. Guest artist Matthew Dow Smith joins writer Ron Marz for a supernatural crime story that, for once, doesn't star the Witchblade!

This two issue story arc in issue 142 and 143 focuses on special investigator Patrick Gleason, who is usually seen by the side of his partner, Sara Pezzini, bearer of the Witchblade. When Patrick travels to upstate New York to visit an old friend, he ends up helping a local rookie police officer transport a deadly mob assassin back to New York City. The killer, Vincent "No Prints" Petramale, claims to have never killed anyone, but when circumstances go horribly wrong, Gleason has to figure out who the real threat is, and fast!

The prolific veteran writer Ron Marz (whose credits include ARTIFACTS, ANGELUS, and Green Lantern) said, "These issues seemed like a perfect chance to put the spotlight on Sara's partner, Patrick Gleason, and explore his character a little more fully than we've been able to in a while. I think people will come away from these issues with a little different perspective on Gleason. And, of course, the chance to work with my buddy Matt Smith again is great, while Stjepan Šejić skipped ahead to work on #144 and #145."

Artist Matthew Dow Smith (DOCTOR WHO) added, "I had a lot of fun working on these two issues. While it's always great to draw WITCHBLADE herself, I think this was an interesting addition to the series."

WITCHBLADE #142, a 32 page full-color comic book, is in stores now. WITCHBLADE #143 will be for sale in stores March 9, 2011.