The Darkness: Accursed, Volume 1

The Darkness: Accursed #1

by Phil Hester, Michael Broussard, Rob Levin (Editor)

Irrevocably changed by the events of First Born , Darkness bearer Jackie Estacado has relocated to the secluded nation of Sierra Muñoz, where he subjugates the people by partnering with a scientist who is able to manipulate The Darkness in ways never before imagined.
Following in the wake of the hugely successful The Darkness video game and summer 2007's smash hit, First Born , The Darkness returns in a brand-new ongoing series by Phil Hester ( Green Arrow ) and Michael Broussard ( Unholy Union ). This volume collects Hester and Broussard's first arc on the series, "Empire."

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Horror, Fantasy, Fiction, Crime, Action

160 pages, Paperback

First published September 29, 2008

About the author

This Eisner Award-nominated artist was born in eastern Iowa, where he went on to study at the University of Iowa. His pencilling credits include Swamp Thing, Brave New World, Flinch, Ultimate Marvel Team-Up, Clerks: The Lost Scene, The Crow: Waking Nightmares, The Wretch (nominated for the 1997 Eisner Award for Best New Series), Aliens: Purge, and Green Arrow.

Since graduating from the University of Iowa, he has been in the comics industry for over 15 years.

Reviews

[William Bainbridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5
Very much akin to war of crowns but with an actual cohesive, satisfying, and rather Interesting story. Ocaso is dark and problematic but easily likable as the mc and therefore following him on the journey was pretty fun. The antagonists like the doctor very easily dislikable and the story was well written.

[Ashley Kempkes · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art is very good. In fact, that was the main reason I kept reading. Exceptional art. Perfect for the story plot and the feel of the GN.

I like Ellie, even though she goes a little crazy. I can blame it on the hormones though, I suppose... she was going through a tough time with advanced genetic/darkness manipulation going on etc. The way the artist drew her interactions with the Professor was amazing- he's such a creep that even Ellie is afraid of him!

However, unlike the Professor, I wasn't super impressed with the Darkness. (Also, the "I have darkness, I don't want it" gets rid of it then "you have to want it" gets it back etc. ...Very annoying.) I wish I could have gotten to know those goblins that kept giving quips whenever they appeared in the novel--they seemed like they would be interesting characters and I wish I could have seen more of them.

[William Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Grade A artwork coupled with grade D writing doesn't make this volume much fun for anyone. I don't really even understand the appeal of this character or the story, but I think I am going to give the ones Ennis wrote a shot. Can't be that bad right?

[47Time · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is a rollercoaster of violence, guns and drugs, with a few moments of introspection that show a maturity that hasn't been used in this comic before. The artwork is even more gorgeous that usual, while avoiding gruesome displays, as much as gratuitously sexy ones, both of which were embraced before.

Jackie stepped up considerably: he took over a country, is loved by its people and has a drug operation based on Darkness-generated fluid. There are also people who want him dead as they see him as a dictator. His metabolism has changed, fine-tuned by a scientist he has in his employ, dr. Kirchner, who helps him develop the drug out of his bodily fluids, advises him on running the country and on building a lover named Elle that is becoming more and more human.

Jackie survives an assassination attempt on his life and decides to leave the group's leader alive, a woman named Marisol Yanez. She is approched by White, a US agent, who has brought armed forces to the country, unofficially. The doctor thinks that an assault on Marisol's resistence movement would cripple their efforts, but the US forces attack first. After destroying some of them, Jackie plans to run away, but the doctror and Elle refuse to follow him. Worse, Elle commands his darklings to attack Jackie. His right-hand man also betrays him and shoots him in the neck.

He wakes up bound by Marisol's rebels, but gratefully under an intense light that prevents the Darkness from manifesting. He offers to reverse the effects of the drug if he can get to the manufacturing machine. Marisol accepts, but ties explosives onto his body that can be detonated using a phone. Their misson is successful and as they run to the exit, Elle shows up. She is preagnant and starts attacking the rebels. Agent White saves Jackie and Marisol, but the doctor finds the phone and detonates the explosives still on Jackie's body, killing Marison and White and cutting Jackie in two. He saves himself by embracing the Darkness once more.

Meanwhile Elle dies while spawning a creature of pure Darkness. Jackie confronts its considerable power, nearly being destroyed by it, but outwits it by extending the fight until dawn breaks. The fight leaves him high in the air and vulnerable to the same sunlight, but the fall doesn't kill him.

[Kaitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great comic. I'm familiar with The Darkness series but not a big fan. You don't need to necessarily read more than the first Origins graphic novel to understand what's going on - and even then things are well explained so you'd only be lost on the details of Jackie's past. Loved the artwork too.
If you pick it up be sure to read the intro by J. Aaron.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jackie, who is basically the dictator of a small country, creates drugs based on his Darkness as well as a woman.

2.5 stars While the art was pretty good, I didn't enjoy the long monologues by Jackie about how he hates the Darkness. I don't think I'll continue in the series.

[Salamah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Graphic novel in which darkness is born in one person each generation and Jackie is the owner of that darkness until someone tries to take it from him and fails.

[Adam Luptak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having been introduced to this character reading Witchblade, this was my first standalone volume about Jackie Estacado. Excellent art, decent writing. Hard to tell if he is a good man, infected by the evil around him, or an evil man poisoning the good around him - he seems to be in flux in this volume, and without a solid foundation for the character, it is somewhat hard to know what to make of him. That said, it is a thrilling ride, with some fascinating ideas being played with.

[Matej · Rating 4 out of 5]

This paperback collects first six issues of the third The Darkness comic series.
The story starts a bit slow, but it quickly picks up the pace, and there is a right amount of ridiculous and awesome to make it interesting.
The art looks great, especially the more violent scenes, and it fits the story perfectly.
Overall, a fun and interesting read with a lot of gore scenes.

[Lady Entropy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some interesting moments, but mostly... eh?

[Nadia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The introduction was marvelous in my opinion. As it progresses, there are some points that could have been handled in a better manner, sure, but overall I enjoyed reading it.