Witchblade

Does Witchblade the series work? You bet, judging from Tuesday's premiere. [12 June 2001, p.3]

If you're unfamiliar with the comic book and didn't see the movie, tonight's series premiere will go down easier if viewed with a mental attitude best described as "Just go with it."

It is so good and bad all at once that you just have to watch it. Remember, it's based on a comic book. [11 June 2001, p.2C]

With action at the forefront and a visual style that incorporates 21st-century video game effects, the pilot episode blazes along. Yes, characterization usually comes second in comic book-generated productions, but Butler in the lead role gets to display a reasonable amount of angst. Problem is, the dialogue is so on-target that it's difficult for Butler and the others to play the subtext and inner torment, given that we're constantly told, rather than shown, what's going on in their heads. [11 June 2001]