Artifacts#0 has been given a 5 star by me, because it is an origin story tying everything together we know, or need to know, about this comics story about 13 Artifacts. Most Witchblade fans will be familiar with the artifacts described (the Angelus artifact is clear cut, where Angelus#0 missed this mark of detail). But no matter, this new series is stand alone, no need to cross reference with other comics, as Artifacts gives a crash course for the new reader to the Witchblade Universe. Artifacts begins the comic with an interesting scenario: a floating trapped hot-bod, femme fatale, whose name we learn is Aphrodite a cyborg killing machine, is the last of her kind – at the moment. The story path gives us everything we need to know about the origin stories for all the artifacts attached to a primary keeper, all the while waiting for Aphrodite's captor to reveal the cyborgs fate with her role with the 13 Artifacts. With most #0 beginning intro origin starting comics, the spending budget is normally not fully invested, but with Artifacts#0, I would defend the artistry with comparing the quality on par with Top Cow premium comic series, such as Witchblade, Fathom, or Grimm Fairy Tales. The penciler may have used a marker to define outlines and borders, and the colourer may have dropped solids with no shades, but the appeal to me is the idea a person has smudged features from being submerged in liquid when viewed from outside a viewing tank, such as the globe trapping Aphrodite, and a wet look is given when person is viewed when one emerges from some type of liquid, which happens when the cyborg is dumped out of the globe trap. This origin beginning, is a great starter for Artifacts#0, it has everything to interest you to invest in the 13 comics to follow. The Magdalena teaser showcase: Who is the caped woman the church elder is giving a history lesson too, could it be Magdalena herself? The revealed assassin is a twist to misdirect the reader into believing Christ’s daughter, Magdalena, must be stopped from destroying one of the 13 Artifacts, the Spear of Destiny! Another great intro into a character involved with one of the 13 Artifacts.

The art on the first part is okay, the "story" is just there to fill people in on what's what & who's who. The art on the preview of The Magdalena isn't as good and just sets up events in an upcoming issue.

I'm glad this comic has been created. But I think I won't enjoy how long the scope of this plot will take. It was interesting to learn a bit more about each of the artifacts, and maybe I'll check out a few of their earlier comics.