One of Top Cow's darkest heroes is about to make a major comeback with a brand-new comic book series.
Per a press release from Top Cow Productions and Image Comics, one of the most beloved indie antiheroes of all time is set to return in a new ongoing The Darkness series. Written by co-creator Marc Silvestri, The Darkness will delve deeper into the history of its titular antihero and the powers he wields. The first issue of the new The Darkness series will be illustrated by Ed Benes, and will feature inks by Matt Banning, Sal Regla, and John Livesay, colors by Aric Prianto, and letters by Troy Preteri. Beginning with The Darkness #2, Raymond Gay will take over illustrating the series. The first issue of The Darkness will be available in a variety of variant covers, with art by Marc Silvestri & Arif Prianto, Ed Benes & Arif Prianto, David Mack, and even rare original sketch variants by Silvestri. We also have a sneak peek at a few preview pages fans can check out below.
Introduced back in 1996's Witchblade #10 by Silvestri, Garth Ennis, and David Wohl, the antihero known as the Darkness was born Jackie Estocado, the son of a mobster who suffered a childhood in an abusive orphanage after being left to fend for himself. Eventually, Jackie found a home in the care of a mob boss named Frankie Franchetti, who sees to it that the boy was raised into a coldly calculating assassin. Upon his 21st birthday, Jackie inherited his family's ancient curse when the primordial force known as the Darkness made him into its latest living vessel. Over the years that followed, Jackie's story was expanded upon in the pages of numerous comics, tie-in titles, and two hit video games.
Silvestri himself said of the new The Darkness series, "This isn't just a nostalgia trip, it's a reinvention." Silvestri noted, "We're going back to what made The Darkness such a hit - Its grit, its danger, its sense that power always comes with a price. But this time, we're turning everything up to eleven. Jackie's world is going to expand in ways readers never expected."
The official solicit synopsis for The Darkness #1 from Top Cow and Image Comics reads, "In a world consumed by shadows... one man becomes The Darkness. Jackie Estacado is back! Thrust into a supernatural war between the dark and the light in a no-holds-barred adventure where the edge of our reality grinds against supernatural forces grappling for control over each other and the waking world." The solicit text continues, "Mafia hitman Jackie Estacado was both blessed and cursed on his 21st birthday when he became the bearer of The Darkness, an elemental force that allows those who wield it access to an otherworldly dimension and control over the demons who dwell there. Forces in the world rise up to face Jackie and the evil his gift represents. There is one small problem in this story…evil is good."
The Darkness #1 goes on sale December 10 from Top Cow Productions and Image Comics. Pre-orders begin on September 19.
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