Written by: Marc Silvestri
Pencils by: Ed Benes
Inks by: Sal Regla, John Livesay, Matt Banning
Coloring by: Arif Prianto
Lettering by: Troy Peteri
Cover by: Marc Silvestri
Published by: Top Cow/Image Comics
Summary:
This first issue features the retelling of Jackie Estacado and how he became the wielder of the darkness. Jackie’s rustled to alertness as a shadowy group busts into his room, which wakes him out of a confusing dream. This dream already hints at the power he wields. Jackie wakes up as a little boy inside an orphanage, which goes into his background and how he became powerful yet ruthless.
I grew up reading The Darkness; I have always loved the way the coloring is used to show emotion throughout each page: dark shades and filters, grim locations such as the orphanage and the high-rise buildings that Jackie seems to find solace in; at the same time, he finds himself tied to crime within the Bronx streets. The issue continues to escalate as we see a normal day in Jackie’s life until he’s being investigated by Detective Pezzini along with creatures called the Angelus. The issue ends with Jackie discovering his powers, albeit to his dismay.
Artwork is stellar, and the dialogue brings me back to a time when writers wrote straight to the point. Readers will enjoy The Darkness if they already enjoy edgy hero stories where the protagonist is different from your typical Marvel or DC hero. New and old readers can get something out of reading the first issue as well.
Overall: 9/10
India Williams is a comic writer and reviewer based in Florida. She is a lifelong comics fan, with favorites including Thor, Conan, G.I. Joe, and Speed Racer. When she’s not writing comics or reviewing them, she enjoys toy photography.
