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One of the classic Image Comics properties is coming back for the first time in a while. The Darkness arrives this December.
Oh, hi Jackie
It has been a while since fans have seen the likes of The Darkness. First appearing in the pages of Witchblade, co-creator Marc Silvestri spun the character off into his own book soon afterwards. That title centered on one Jackie Estacado, and although it was a superhero title at its core, he definitely wasn’t your typical do-gooder. Instead Jackie was a hitman for the mob, who had found himself imbued with otherworldly powers.
The comic was a hit for Image Comics and it’s now-CEO Silvestri, and even had a pair of pretty terrific video games. Even with all of its popularity though, the series basically vanished back in 2014. That was then though, and now fans have something altogether new to get hyped for, with a reboot.
Just revealed by Image and Silvestri, The Darkness is on the way back to the printed page, and set to debut this coming December. While Silvestri will be penning this reboot himself, he won’t be penciling it. Instead, the first issue will feature the talents of Birds of Prey and Justice League alum Ed Benes. After that, Raymond Gay (of Gunslinger Spawn and TMNT) will take over for issue #2.
Originally launched nearly three decades ago, The Darkness quickly became one of Top Cow’s most popular properties, spawning spin-off series, crossovers, and two acclaimed video game adaptations. The title built a loyal following among fans of supernatural thrillers and morally complex anti-heroes, standing alongside genre heavyweights. The new series aims to capture that same energy while pushing its narrative into even darker, more unpredictable territory.
Image Comics press release
The Darkness rises
So the new version of The Darkness won’t be exactly what you might remember. But even with that in mind, it sounds like it’ll hit some of the same notes. Jackie is still a hitman after all, and the origins of him gaining his abilities on his 21st birthday are intact as well.
From what Silvestri says though, there are quite a few other elements that’ll vary. Supporting and peripheral characters might be different from how they were in the classic series, and the overarching war between light and dark sounds like it’ll be altered quite a bit.
“This isn’t just a nostalgia trip—it’s a reinvention. 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.”
Marc Silvestri; Image Comics press release
To showcase this new direction, and just how gritty the new series will be, we’ve also got a lengthy preview for you to check out. In it, you can get a sense of the excellent looking art that’ll frame this first issue, as well as some of the story points. Unlike most previews that we get here at BG, this one’s actually lettered, so you can get a feel for the story. What you won’t find is color, but hey, you can’t have everything.
The story once again follows Jackie Estacado, a mafia hitman who inherits a terrifying gift on his 21st birthday: an elemental force known as The Darkness, which grants him dominion over creatures from another realm. As supernatural forces wage war over reality itself, Jackie must navigate a brutal conflict where good and evil are anything but clear.
Whether readers have followed Jackie Estacado from the beginning or are entering the shadows for the first time, there’s never been a better moment to embrace The Darkness.
Image Comics press release
Variants and a year-end launch
No big comic book launch in the modern age would be complete without variant covers. They’re a mainstay at this point, from just about every major publisher. And yes, you better believe that The Darkness will take part.
Image says that the title will have 11 covers to pick from, though keep in mind that some of those will be retailer exclusives. There’s some great stuff on tap from the looks of it too, with work from Silvestri, Benes, Prianto, and Mack all coming up.
Check those out below in the gallery, and then get ready. The Darkness #1 lands in comics shops and digital storefronts (Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play) on December 10th.
Image Comics press release
- Cover A by Silvestri & Prianto
- Cover B by Benes & Prianto
- Cover C by Mack
- Cover D Sketch Cover
- Cover E 1:10 copy incentive by Benes & Prianto
- Cover F 1:25 copy incentive by Mack
- Cover G 1:50 copy incentive by Silvestri & Prianto
- Cover H 1:100 copy incentive by Benes
- Cover I 1:250 copy incentive B&W virgin Silvestri
- Cover J 1:500 copy incentive B&W signed virgin Silvestri
- Cover K 1:1,000 copy incentive Silvestri original art sketch
