Gleason #142
So, if you're looking for Witchblade, this isn't the story for you. Aside from a brief cameo and description of Sara and the Witchblade, she is absent from the issue.
Now, that doesn't mean this is a bad issue. It focuses on her partner, Detective Gleason, who is on his own about to pick up a wanted criminal from upstate New York and bring him back to NYC. The criminal happens to be a mob hitman, with quite the creepy demeanor.
The story itself gives some good insight into Gleason's character and how he can handle situations normal police just can't. After what he's seen and been through, what's one killer to him? The story does get paranormal though, and it makes you want to pick up the next issue just to find out how and what is actually happening.
What throws the issue off to me is the artwork. Matthew Dow Smith is a special guest artist for the issue, and his art just doesn't appeal to me. It's just a little too cartoony and sketchy for me. It does seem to work for the "spirits" in the issue though, but not so much for humans.
So I'll give this one 3.5 out of 5. I think the story is interesting, but if you are only interested in the Witchblade or you are only trying to keep up with Artifacts, you can skip this one.