The Witchblade is one of the most iconic artifacts in comic book lore—a sentient, semi-organic gauntlet of immense power capable of choosing its host. Over the years, this mystical relic has bonded with a range of formidable individuals across time and dimensions, each uniquely shaped by its will and power. The Witchblade doesn’t just offer brute strength—it enhances its wielder’s instincts; grants access to deadly weaponry and provides an almost indestructible armor. But not all hosts are created equal. Some wield the Witchblade as a tool. Others become its true masters.
#10: Celestine
Celestine, a rogue angel introduced in the Aria/Witchblade crossover, possessed a raw celestial strength that made her an exceptional candidate for the Witchblade. While her time with the artifact was short, the fusion of divine power with the Witchblade’s chaos birthed one of the most unstable yet awe-inspiring combinations. With angelic might and the weapon’s arsenal, she could incinerate foes with blasts of holy energy while still producing the grotesque tendrils and blades Witchblade is known for. Her power was dazzling but unpredictable—almost too divine for the artifact to fully contain. It made for a shocking glimpse into what the Witchblade might be in the hands of someone truly otherworldly.
#9: Yusaku Katsu
Appearing in Witchblade: Takeru Manga, Yusaku Katsu is one of the most unique hosts from the Japanese spin-off. A former priest, he is deeply disciplined and mentally strong, making him a stabilizing host for the Witchblade’s chaotic energy. His version of the artifact took on more of a demonic appearance, aligning with the manga’s darker tone. While not the most destructive host, Katsu’s strategic mind and spiritual strength allowed him to tap into the Witchblade’s full versatility. He summoned elaborate weapons, generated intricate armor, and displayed precision most others lacked. His control was his power—and that put him a cut above many flashier users.
#8: Danielle Baptiste
Dani Baptiste became the Witchblade’s host after Sara Pezzini briefly relinquished it. A trained dancer, Dani brought agility and grace to the role in ways we hadn’t seen before. But what truly set her apart was the balance she brought to the Witchblade. Unlike other hosts who battled its influence, Dani seemed to harmonize with it, drawing out its energy without losing herself. Her command of the Witchblade manifested in visually distinct ways—sleeker armor, more fluid weapon morphs, and faster combat style. Her tenure proved that power wasn’t just about destruction—it was about synchronization. Though she eventually shared the artifact with Sara, her solo run marked her as one of the most skilled and instinctive wielders in its history.
#7: Magdalena (Patience)
Although not a permanent Witchblade host, Patience—the Magdalena of her time—briefly bonded with the artifact during a massive Top Cow crossover. Already possessing divine power and combat training from the Church, Patience merged her faith-based abilities with the Witchblade’s destructive chaos to terrifying effect. She was able to purge corrupted enemies with light-infused weapons and banish dark entities with a precision the Witchblade rarely displayed. Her unique perspective as a warrior of God brought an entirely different energy to the bond, elevating her potential in both offense and defense. Her momentary control was so potent that fans still speculate what might’ve happened had she been chosen as a permanent host.
#6: Maria Pezzini
The alternate universe version of Sara Pezzini from Artifacts #25, Maria wielded the Witchblade in a post-apocalyptic world where balance was upended. With fewer rules and no Sara to restrain it, the Witchblade became more aggressive and primal in Maria’s hands. She developed deadly new weapon forms, including biomechanical wings and serrated blades that could tear through dimensional rifts. Maria’s hardened nature made her a host that embraced the Witchblade’s darkest instincts, and in doing so, unlocked capabilities rarely seen in canon. Her sheer combat savagery combined with battlefield experience made her one of the fiercest warriors the Witchblade ever bonded with.
#5: Alexis Meares
Alexis was a scientist who bonded with the Witchblade during a cyber-enhanced storyline. What made her unique wasn’t brute strength—it was intelligence. Unlike other users, Alexis hacked into the Witchblade on a molecular level, discovering ways to program its functions, store data, and even suppress its rage-fueled tendencies. By merging technology with the artifact’s mysticism, she redefined what the Witchblade could become. She created hard-light constructs, predictive targeting systems, and nearly achieved true symbiosis. Though short-lived, her reign marked one of the rare times the Witchblade was wielded through intellect, not instinct earning her a well-deserved place among the most powerful.
#4: Takeru Ibaraki
The protagonist of Witchblade: Takeru Manga, Takeru is a Japanese schoolgirl who becomes a host through a cursed gauntlet version of the Witchblade. Her journey is steeped in demonic lore, trauma, and transformation. What makes Takeru terrifying is her raw, almost unhinged power. She generates massive scythe-like appendages, controls demonic fire, and flies into berserker states where she obliterates enemies without mercy. Her emotional instability sometimes amplifies the Witchblade, pushing her into deadly overdrive. Despite her inexperience, her destructive capacity is enormous rivaling even Sara’s. In a universe defined by spiritual and mythological terror, Takeru embodied chaos—and thrived.
#3: Sara Pezzini (Merged Form)
While Sara Pezzini is the Witchblade’s most iconic host, her most powerful form emerges when she merges with both halves of the artifact—the Witchblade and the Darkness. This temporary fusion, seen in major crossover events, unleashes powers that transcend mortal comprehension. She creates living constructs, manipulates shadow and matter, and wields time-slowing weaponry. In this form, Sara becomes a goddess of war and balance. She transcends the limitations of her human host and taps into ancient cosmic forces. While brief, this form hints at the Witchblade’s full, terrifying potential when unhindered by duality.
#2: Hope Pezzini
Sara’s daughter, Hope, is theorized to be the next evolutionary step of the Witchblade legacy. While she has only briefly shown power, her potential is off the charts. Born of both the Witchblade and the Darkness, Hope is effectively a nexus being—capable of controlling both light and shadow, order and chaos. In one vision of the future, Hope is depicted reshaping worlds and commanding forces that dwarf her parents’. Though she hasn’t yet become a full host, her latent abilities suggest she could one day surpass all others, making her one of the most terrifying yet untested hosts in canon.
#1: Sara Pezzini
No one defines the Witchblade more than Sara Pezzini. A New York homicide detective turned reluctant warrior, Sara wielded the artifact longer than any other host and unlocked its deepest secrets. Her control over the Witchblade evolved with her character—from instinctive defense to full-on symbiotic partnership. She summoned swords, shields, wings, and even entire armies of energy-formed weapons. Sara’s strength wasn’t just in power—it was in heart, restraint, and wisdom. She resisted corruption, maintained her humanity, and used the artifact for justice rather than chaos. At her peak, Sara went toe-to-toe with celestial beings and abyssal demons alike. She didn’t just wear the Witchblade—she became its equal.
The Witchblade is more than a weapon—it’s a legacy, a curse, and a reflection of its host. Over the years, it has passed through hands both virtuous and vicious, revealing new depths of its abilities with each bond. From Sara Pezzini’s enduring strength to Hope’s untapped potential, these hosts remind us that the Witchblade doesn’t just amplify power—it reveals the soul within. The most powerful hosts aren’t just those who can conquer armies, but those who master themselves.
