TOP COW PRODUCTIONS FOR NOVEMBER

Following are Top Cow Productions' solicitations for November, with information coming from the publisher.

RISING STARS #23

Written by J. Michael Straczynski, art and cover by Brent Anderson, colored by Brian Buccellato.

"Phoenix in Ascension," part 2 of 3. The penultimate chapter in J. Michael Straczynski's sweeping superhero epic hits. Ravenshadow becomes President of the United States, but his enemies have had enough of the "Specials.² Meanwhile, secreted away in Mexico, Poet is finishing the construction of something that will change a world forever.

32 pages, $2.99.

DARKNESS #17

Written by David Lapham, art by Brian Denham, colored Matt Milla, cover by Dale Keown.

"Hell House," part 1 of 4. Noir master David Lapham brings his own brand of horror and gritty realism to Top Cow, writing and doing layouts for visionary artist Brian Denham. Jackie Estacado checks into an Atlantic City casino gone horribly wrong, where he encounters mobster menaces aplenty, and the true depths of his powers...and his soul.

32 pages, $2.99.

WITCHBLADE #81

Written by Ron Marz, penciled by Michael Choi, colored by Brian Buccellato, cover by Greg Land.

"Witch Hunt," part 2 of 5. Witchblade-wielder and NYPD detective Sara Pezzini has awakened from her coma, but with no memory of what happened to her. So like any good cop, she starts digging for clues. But the mystery she uncovers points to a conspiracy that reaches the very foundations of New York, a conspiracy that could lead to total apocalypse! The new creative team of Ron Marz and Michael Choi continue the most powerful Witchblade saga ever!

32 pages, $2.99.

MAGDALENA/VAMPIRELLA #1

Written by Robert Kirkman, art by Francis Manapul, colored by Brian Buccellato, cover by Francis Manapul (1-in-4 variant cover by Chris Bachalo).

What happens when two bodacious babes go after the same prize? Catfight! The Magdalena, the warrior/protector of the Catholic Church, must retrieve an all-powerful mystical relic. But the relic is the only thing that can cure Vampirella of her blood lust once and for all. This one-shot special is co-published with Harris Comics.

32 pages, $2.99.

TOMB RAIDER #48

Written byJames Bonny, penciled by Eric Basaldua, inked by Jay Leisten, colored by Tyson Wengler, covers by Adam Hughes and Basaldua.

"Gathering Storm," part 3 of 3. Lara Croft has found an ally in her quest to locate the ancient artifact known as the Rapture‹She is the Magdalena, warrior/protector of the Catholic Church. Together, they must face not only the powerful warlock Carlos DeLarch, but the formidable Swiss Guard, dispatched by the Vatican to stop them.

32 pages, $2.99.

BATTLE OF THE PLANETS: PRINCESS #2

Written by David Wohl, art and cover Wilson Tortosa.

Deep in the Himalayas, the G-Force team must battle the Charioteers of Changu--and to make matters worse, Princess is missing in action! Will she return in time to help her desperate teammates? Can they possibly survive without her? And most importantly of all‹Where did she go?

24 pages, black and white, $2.99.

COMMON GROUNDS TRADE PAPERBACK

Written by Troy Hickman, art by George Pérez, Carlos Pacheco, Ethan Van Sciver, Dan Jurgens, Angel Medina, Sam Kieth and more.

Writer Troy Hickman welcomes you to Common Grounds, where superheroes and villains kick back in their off-hours. A total of 13 tales of triumph and tragedy are lavishly illustrated by a galaxy of star artists.

144 pages, $19.99.

TOKYO KNIGHTS ORIGINAL GRAPHIC NOVEL

Written byRobert Place Napton, art by Ph, cover by Michael Choi.

Kenny is a restless youth in Tokyo 2, a sprawling, mysterious mega-metropolis. He falls in with a fast-moving, thrill-seeking crowd, and meets the beautiful Sharon. But Sharon has a secret: She and her gang stage an underground fight club that battles in next-generation mech suits. But these are no ordinary robot wars‹the drivers ³feel² the punishment dished out! Kenny gambles with his life in the Tokyo Knights arena, in a tale written by manga master Robert Place Napton.

128 pages, black and white, $9.99.