Sneak Peek: Ron Marz Talks Artifacts #1

The event that the Top Cow universe has been gearing up for is almost here! The thirteen Artifacts, including the Witchblade and the Darkness, will guide the Top Cow universe in an exciting new direction. In May, Top Cow released a first look preview issue into the new story arc for Free Comic Book Day and now they have given us a look at the first five pages of the first issue that is five years in the making. We caught up with the mastermind behind the story and the puppet-master of the Top Cow Universe to find out just exactly what he has in store for veteran fans and new readers alike! Check out the interview below as well as preview of the first five pages for the first issue!

Comic Vine: You have been setting up for Artifacts for a long time now, are you anticipating the release? Does it feel like it has been a long time coming? How long have you been cultivating this story? What are you most excited about in regards to the series?
Ron Marz: You know, when the first issue hits the stands, we'll still have 12 issues to go. So even though we've been working on it a while, I feel like we're still in the eye of the storm. I'll take a deep breath when all 13 issues are done, but probably not before. I think what I'm most excited about is using Artifacts as a way to introduce the larger Top Cow Universe to people. Artifacts is pretty much one-stop shopping if you've never read the Top Cow Universe before.
== TEASER ==

CV: What is the best way to describe Artifacts? What can readers anticipate?
RM: Artifacts is a large-scale story, in that it's going to encompass the entire Top Cow Universe, both the supernatural aspects and the sci-fi aspects. But at its heart, the story really comes down to Sara Pezzini and Jackie Estacado -- the bearer of the Witchblade and the host for the Darkness -- looking for their kidnapped daughter. The events are literally universe-changing, but the core of the story is very character-driven and very human. We're asking what you would sacrifice to save your child.

CV: How much of the Top Cow universe will be involved in the Artifacts storyline? What character story are you most excited about?
RM: Everybody's involved. Obviously Artifacts bearers like Sara, Jackie, Magdalena, Angelus and all the others are primary characters, but we'll also see Cyberforce and Hunter-Killer. And there's a completely new character -- the bearer of the hidden 13th Artifact -- that I'm really enjoying.

CV: Would you say this is a good jumping on point for new readers or a story better suited for Top Cow veteran fans?
RM: It's absolutely a good jumping-on point. It'd be pretty stupid on my part if we did this big series with all this promotion, and then I wrote a story that was only accessible for our hardcore fans. Yes, this will pay off storylines that our loyal readers have been following, but it's much more than that. New readers will get everything they need to know in order to come along for the ride.