The Witchblade is a conscious, intelligent, and ancient weapon with supernatural origins. It is one of 13 mystical artifacts, of which twelve have been revealed: the Witchblade, the Angelus, the Darkness, the Ember Stone, the Glacier Stone, the Rapture, the Blood Sword, the Spear of Destiny, the Coin of Solomon, the Heart Stone, Pandora's Box, and the Wheel of Shadows.
It is the offspring of the universe's two opposing aspects, the Darkness and the Angelus (Light). The Witchblade is a male aspect created to act as a balance, which must have a female as a host, but has not spoken aloud as of yet.
History[]
Early History[]
The Witchblade is the offspring of the universe's two primal forces, the Angelus and the Darkness. To avert mutual destruction, a truce was struck. The Angelus and the Darkness consummated and, in so doing, conceived the Witchblade, creating peace and balance between them.
Modern History[]
The Witchblade was discovered in modern times in Greece by Kenneth Irons, but before he found it, it had many wielders. When not in use, it can look like an ornate, jewel encrusted, right-handed gauntlet. When wielded by an unworthy user, that person will lose their arm. It forms a symbiotic relationship with the host, who can hear the Witchblade. When used, it expands across the body of the wielder, often shredding clothes and covering the body like armour. The amount and coverage of the armour depends on the level of the threat.
For example, when facing mortals, it will usually generate less armor than when facing a demon of Hell. This armor can produce extensions of itself that can form swords, other stabbing weapons, hooks, chains, shields and wings, enabling the wielder to fly. It may also become temperamental if the wielder chooses not to use it. When wielded, it can shoot energy blasts from the hand or sword, fire projectile darts, and whip-like grapples to attack or climb structures. The Witchblade is also an excellent lock pick, and can heal wounds, even mortal ones. The Witchblade can reanimate the dead, empathically show the wielder scenes of great trauma, and allow the wielder to relive experiences from past wielders in the form of dreams.
Following the events in the First Born mini-series, the Witchblade was split into two parts. One half belongs to Dani while Sara has reclaimed the other half. However, the Witchblade, originally being the balance between the forces of Darkness and Light, it was revealed in the recent War of the Switchblade saga/arc that each half of the Witchblade represented one of the two primal forces: Sara having the Darkness one and Dani the Angelus. This led to changes in the personality of the characters, especially Sara. Encouraged by the leaderless Angelus Warriors and the mysterious Tau'ma, both wielders eventually ended up in all-out war for the complete control of the Witchblade, which concluded with Sara victorious and once again in control of the full Witchblade. She now possesses the full Witchblade, as Dani is now the host for the Angelus.
Personality[]
Notable Hosts[]
- Sara Pezzini: A New York City detective, Sara is a disciplined, tough-talking woman who first encountered the Witchblade while on a case with her ex-partner, Michael Yee. After both officers were mortally wounded by criminal Ian Nottingham, the gauntlet suddenly left the possession of Nottingham's employer, Kenneth Irons, and gave its power to Sara, healing her wounds. Pezzini has since been thrown into a darker world in which she's encountered a number of mystical opponents and strange cases while wielding the Witchblade. Quite often, she has wished for her life to return to normal.
- Danielle Baptiste: The latest in the long line of bearers, Danielle is an impulsive but good-hearted young dancer who was born in New Orleans. After moving to New York to pursue her career, she experienced a mysterious dream which foretold her destiny. In the vision, she saw herself inheriting great power by means of a mystical gauntlet, though she was told that it would require much discipline to control. Perplexed by the message, Dani found herself taking a walk and wandering to an antique shop the next day. It was there that she encountered Sara Pezinni, the then-current wielder of the Witchblade. Having become pregnant, Sara realized that the time had come for her to relinquish the gauntlet. She also noticed that it became quite animated in Dani's presence, constantly reaching out to her. Dani recognized the Witchblade as the same artifact from her dream, and offered to relieve Sara of it upon learning what it was. Realizing that Dani was meant to become the next bearer, Sara relinquished the Witchblade to her. After receiving possession of the balance, Dani faced a string of challenges in learning to control both it and her emotions. While exploring her power, she also faced and overcame a number of mystical opponents. Eventually, Dani returned half of the Witchblade to Sara in order to save Sara's life following the birth of her child. She currently doesn't have any portion of the Witchblade, as she is the current host to the Angelus.
- Alex Underwood - the current host of the Witchblade in the revival series.
Witchblade (TV Series)[]
In the live-action series, the Witchblade possesses many of the same powers as its comic book counterpart, but manifests differently. In this case, it assumes the form of a metal gauntlet with a red gem that resembles an eye. It has gone by several names across different cultures, including Digitabulum Magae (Latin for "The Witch's Finger").
When in use, the Witchblade could produce a blade from the wrist end of the gauntlet form, was durable enough to withstand bullets, and transform into a pata (a sword blade connected to a gauntlet). Towards the end of the first season, including the pilot film, the Witchblade could produce a full suit of armor to cover the wielder's body, but rather than appearing organic like in the comics, the armor resembled the kind worn by medieval-era knights.
In at least one episode, the Witchblade demonstrated organic features, but only when its host was undergoing the Periculum, a trial to determine if she was worthy of the Witchblade, and upon completing the trial, it returned to its bracelet form.
In two other episodes, the Witchblade demonstrated the ability to transform itself into a transitional stage between its bracelet form and a form resembling knuckles, enabling the wielder to punch people without harming themselves.
According to Kenneth Irons in the series, the Witchblade possesses many powers. Among them was the ability to enable the wielder to win people's hearts. This implies the ability to win the trust of those around her.
According to Ian Nottingham in the last episode of the series, who likely learned of it from Irons, the Witchblade will not and can not be used to kill anyone that has wielded it before, only capable of harming them.
Powers & Abilities[]
The Witchblade is sentient and responds to the bearer's will, as well as attempting to impose its own.
- Adaptive Armor: The Witchblade's most recognizable powers is its ability to cover its host in protective armor that adapts depending on how much damage the user is receiving. At its default form, the armor covers only the most sensitive areas around the user and usually takes the form of a metallic bikini. If the user receives continuous damage, the armor can cover the whole body if necessary. Because of the sharp surfaces of the armor, it always shreds the wielder's clothes. The armor itself is incredibly strong and is impervious to all manner of firearms, explosives and even energy blasts.
- Shapeshifting: The Witchblade is capable of taking on a myriad of forms. Its dormant form is often a bracelet with a big, red jewel on top of it. In active form, the Witchblade covers the wielder's entire right arm in sharp, silver metal with red and blue jewels on the back side of the palm.
- Peak Human Condition
- Superhuman Strength: The Witchblade increases the strength of its host. The hosts of the Witchblade are strong enough to overpower humans and fight supernatural beings and creatures.
- Superhuman Endurance: The Witchblade increases the endurance of its host.
- Accelerated Healing/Regenerative Factor: The Witchblade heals the wounds (even fatal ones) and disabilities of its hosts and cures them of any illness and ailments.
- Invulnerability: The Witchblade's armor makes its hosts immune to most physical attacks, including bullets and intense trauma. Its hosts are also immune to heat and fire.
- Pyrokinesis: The hosts of the Witchblade can create and project fire from their palms.
- Tactile Telekinetic Healing: The Witchblade can be used to heal the wounds and cure the illnesses of other creatures.
- Summoning: The Witcblade can be used to create sturdy armor, blades, whips, swords, spears and powerful weapons for its host's use. Sara Pezzini was able to summon Darklings while possessed by the Darkness half of the Witchblade.
Witchblade Wielders[]
In reverse chronological order (fictional chronology, not publication dates) save non-canon and alternate realities:
- Persephani (fictitious, wielder in the far future)
- Masane Amaha (fictitious, from the Witchblade anime, near future)
- Yuri Miyazono (fictitious)
- Takeru Ibaraki (fictitious, from the Witchblade manga)
- Akane Nakiko (fictitious, from Witchblade/Dark Minds: Return of Paradox, near future)
- Debbie Santalesa (fictitious, from Dark Minds/Witchblade, near future)
- Selena Alice Lauren (fictitious, wielder, circa 2100)
- Ivy Pezzini (fictitious, Sara's daughter in a possible future)
- Danielle Baptiste (fictitious, the wielder after Sara)
- Ian Nottingham (fictitious, second male wielder. Only wielder to so far combine the Witchblade with either the Darkness or the Angelus)
- Gerard Irons (other male wielder)
- Sara Pezzini (fictitious)
- Tasya Federova (fictitious)
- Josephine Valmont (fictitious)
- Elizabeth Brontë
- Enola (Witchblade: Day of the Outlaws)
- Anne Bonny
- Roxanne Laroque (fictitious)
- Yuka-chan (fictitious)
- Shiori-sama (Witchblade: Obakemono)
- Joan of Arc
- Maitea
- Annabella Altavista
- Itagaki
- Leung Lin Yao
- Zara, Queen of Bones (fictitious, from Dark Crossings)
- Hua Mulan
- Samantha McRenald (fictitious)
- Racquel (fictitious)
- Katarina Godliffe (A user before Sara Pezzini, from the Medieval Spawn/Witchblade team-up)
- Artemisia
- Lysandra
- Myrine
- Una, the first bearer (fictitious)
Other identified wearers include Cathain, who is remembered as an Irish Celtic war goddess by history in the live action TV series of the Witchblade. Cathain is connected to the historical Irish Celtic King, Conchobar.
Alternate Reality
- Kimberly Tossovova (alt. reality, fictitious)
Non-Canon
- Wonder Woman (JLA/Witchblade)(co-op universe with DC: non-canon to Top Cow or DC Universe)
- Sister Midnight (Fictitious, from Aliens/Predator/Witchblade/Darkness: MindHunter Crossover)
- Bernadette (Fictitious, from Witchblade: Shades of Gray Crossover)
- Princess (Battle of the Planets) (Fictitious, from Battle of the Planets/Witchblade Crossover)
- Savior (Fictitious, from Battle of the Planets/Witchblade Crossover)
- Vampirella (Fictitious, from Vampirella/Witchblade: Union of the Damned Crossover)
- Katarina (Fictitious, from Medieval Spawn/Witchblade Crossover)
Pretenders[]
In reverse chronological order:
- John Sansman (fictitious)
- LaFemme Dominique Boucher (fictitious)
- Kenneth Irons (fictitious)
Witchblade from 2014[]
The Witchblade that was found by Alex Underwood is a different one than the one we know of. The Witchblade appeared to Alex after she was fatally surprised by the husband of a client. The Witchblade healed Alex of her wounds and bonded with her. Here, the Witchblade in idle mode is a metallic wristband instead of a bracelet.
Reboot[]
In the 2024 reboot, the Witchblade is not a gauntlet but a bracelet that turns into a kind of spider. It is not directly owned by Kenneth Irons (Reboot), even if it is searched for by him. In Berlin, Germany, it is in a buried box. When one of the employees finds the Witchblade, he takes possession of it directly. Chased by Irons and his men, the Witchblade changes hosts several times and ends up in the USA, New York. And from there to its new owner Sara Pezzini (Reboot).
Trivia[]
- Once affixed to the wrist of its chosen host, it is bonded with them and is unmovable, similarly to the Omnitrix and Ultimatrix of the Ben 10 franchise.