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Archivos Top Cow: The Darkness #1
The Darkness: Origins, Volume 1
Mafia Hitman Jackie Estacado was both blessed and cursed on his 21st birthday when he inherited the power of The Darkness, an elemental force that allows those who weild it access to an otherworldly dimension and control over the demons who dwell
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
32 people are currently reading
282 people want to read
About the author
Garth Ennis
2,624 books3,170 followersEnnis began his comic-writing career in 1989 with the series Troubled Souls. Appearing in the short-lived but critically-acclaimed British anthology Crisis and illustrated by McCrea, it told the story of a young, apolitical Protestant man caught up by fate in the violence of the Irish 'Troubles'. It spawned a sequel, For a Few Troubles More, a broad Belfast-based comedy featuring two supporting characters from Troubled Souls, Dougie and Ivor, who would later get their own American comics series, Dicks, from Caliber in 1997, and several follow-ups from Avatar.
Another series for Crisis was True Faith, a religious satire inspired by his schooldays, this time drawn by Warren Pleece. Ennis shortly after began to write for Crisis' parent publication, 2000 AD. He quickly graduated on to the title's flagship character, Judge Dredd, taking over from original creator John Wagner for a period of several years.
Ennis' first work on an American comic came in 1991 when he took over DC Comics's horror title Hellblazer, which he wrote until 1994, and for which he currently holds the title for most issues written. Steve Dillon became the regular artist during the second half of Ennis's run.
Ennis' landmark work to date is the 66-issue epic Preacher, which he co-created with artist Steve Dillon. Running from 1995 to 2000, it was a tale of a preacher with supernatural powers, searching (literally) for God who has abandoned his creation.
While Preacher was running, Ennis began a series set in the DC universe called Hitman. Despite being lower profile than Preacher, Hitman ran for 60 issues (plus specials) from 1996 to 2001, veering wildly from violent action to humour to an examination of male friendship under fire.
Other comic projects Ennis wrote during this time period include Goddess, Bloody Mary, Unknown Soldier, and Pride & Joy, all for DC/Vertigo, as well as origin stories for The Darkness for Image Comics and Shadowman for Valiant Comics.
After the end of Hitman, Ennis was lured to Marvel Comics with the promise from Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada that he could write The Punisher as long as he cared to. Instead of largely comical tone of these issues, he decided to make a much more serious series, re-launched under Marvel's MAX imprint.
In 2001 he briefly returned to UK comics to write the epic Helter Skelter for Judge Dredd.
Other comics Ennis has written include War Story (with various artists) for DC; The Pro for Image Comics; The Authority for Wildstorm; Just a Pilgrim for Black Bull Press, and 303, Chronicles of Wormwood (a six issue mini-series about the Antichrist), and a western comic book, Streets of Glory for Avatar Press.
In 2008 Ennis ended his five-year run on Punisher MAX to debut a new Marvel title, War Is Hell: The First Flight of the Phantom Eagle.
In June 2008, at Wizard World, Philadelphia, Ennis announced several new projects, including a metaseries of war comics called Battlefields from Dynamite made up of mini-series including Night Witches, Dear Billy and Tankies, another Chronicles of Wormwood mini-series and Crossed both at Avatar, a six-issue miniseries about Butcher (from The Boys) and a Punisher project reuniting him with artist Steve Dillon (subsequently specified to be a weekly mini-series entitled Punisher: War Zone, to be released concurrently with the film of the same name).
Taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garth_Ennis
Another series for Crisis was True Faith, a religious satire inspired by his schooldays, this time drawn by Warren Pleece. Ennis shortly after began to write for Crisis' parent publication, 2000 AD. He quickly graduated on to the title's flagship character, Judge Dredd, taking over from original creator John Wagner for a period of several years.
Ennis' first work on an American comic came in 1991 when he took over DC Comics's horror title Hellblazer, which he wrote until 1994, and for which he currently holds the title for most issues written. Steve Dillon became the regular artist during the second half of Ennis's run.
Ennis' landmark work to date is the 66-issue epic Preacher, which he co-created with artist Steve Dillon. Running from 1995 to 2000, it was a tale of a preacher with supernatural powers, searching (literally) for God who has abandoned his creation.
While Preacher was running, Ennis began a series set in the DC universe called Hitman. Despite being lower profile than Preacher, Hitman ran for 60 issues (plus specials) from 1996 to 2001, veering wildly from violent action to humour to an examination of male friendship under fire.
Other comic projects Ennis wrote during this time period include Goddess, Bloody Mary, Unknown Soldier, and Pride & Joy, all for DC/Vertigo, as well as origin stories for The Darkness for Image Comics and Shadowman for Valiant Comics.
After the end of Hitman, Ennis was lured to Marvel Comics with the promise from Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada that he could write The Punisher as long as he cared to. Instead of largely comical tone of these issues, he decided to make a much more serious series, re-launched under Marvel's MAX imprint.
In 2001 he briefly returned to UK comics to write the epic Helter Skelter for Judge Dredd.
Other comics Ennis has written include War Story (with various artists) for DC; The Pro for Image Comics; The Authority for Wildstorm; Just a Pilgrim for Black Bull Press, and 303, Chronicles of Wormwood (a six issue mini-series about the Antichrist), and a western comic book, Streets of Glory for Avatar Press.
In 2008 Ennis ended his five-year run on Punisher MAX to debut a new Marvel title, War Is Hell: The First Flight of the Phantom Eagle.
In June 2008, at Wizard World, Philadelphia, Ennis announced several new projects, including a metaseries of war comics called Battlefields from Dynamite made up of mini-series including Night Witches, Dear Billy and Tankies, another Chronicles of Wormwood mini-series and Crossed both at Avatar, a six-issue miniseries about Butcher (from The Boys) and a Punisher project reuniting him with artist Steve Dillon (subsequently specified to be a weekly mini-series entitled Punisher: War Zone, to be released concurrently with the film of the same name).
Taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garth_Ennis
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
June 26, 2015
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
"What's this DARKNESS you keep going on about?"
"I'll try and put it in idiot's terms. Have you seen Star Wars?"
"Well, yes."
"The Darkness is the Force on crack."
Many of you are probably already familiar with my tales of woe regarding the selection of graphic novels through my library systems (yes SYSTEMS plural – two different metro libraries and neither of them stock many pitcherbooks). Due to the slim to nil variety, I kind of grab whatever is available without knowing anything about what I’m choosing. The Darkness was chosen simply because I’m familiar with the name Garth Ennis. I offered this up as a potential buddy read with my pal Jeff, but he is on an anti-Ennis kick aftershitting his pants reading Crossed. You missed out, Sucka! This was your type of graphic novel – filled with . . .
Now I’m not necessarily opposed to scantily clad women, or boobs in general, but all these chicks were there for was for . . . .
Yeah, yeah, I hear you: “So what’s wrong with that?!?!?!?!” Nothing, except when the bad guy is really supposed to be a badass bitch I don’t want her getting all emo over her harem.
I also wasn’t a huge fan of the MC. Jackie Estacado is supposed to be a real panty dropper. I mean, he takes of “problems” for his uncle . . .
and is a huge ladies man who knocks boots with a different broad he picks up at “da club” every night. The problem for me was, I couldn’t get this image out of my mind whenever he was picking up a new one-nighter . . .
The Darkness wasn’t all bad, though. I enjoyed having an “origins” volume that actually provided some origins and I love anti-heroes rather than hero heroes. The twist that went along with Jackie’s power made me LOL . . .
And there were also some interesting friends that accompanied his new gift . . .
Oh, and the artwork? No complaints . . .
Well, except for all of the aforementioned boobs ; )
All in all, not a horrible debut but probably not one that I’ll go out of my way to continue reading.
"What's this DARKNESS you keep going on about?"
"I'll try and put it in idiot's terms. Have you seen Star Wars?"
"Well, yes."
"The Darkness is the Force on crack."
Many of you are probably already familiar with my tales of woe regarding the selection of graphic novels through my library systems (yes SYSTEMS plural – two different metro libraries and neither of them stock many pitcherbooks). Due to the slim to nil variety, I kind of grab whatever is available without knowing anything about what I’m choosing. The Darkness was chosen simply because I’m familiar with the name Garth Ennis. I offered this up as a potential buddy read with my pal Jeff, but he is on an anti-Ennis kick after
Now I’m not necessarily opposed to scantily clad women, or boobs in general, but all these chicks were there for was for . . . .
Yeah, yeah, I hear you: “So what’s wrong with that?!?!?!?!” Nothing, except when the bad guy is really supposed to be a badass bitch I don’t want her getting all emo over her harem.
I also wasn’t a huge fan of the MC. Jackie Estacado is supposed to be a real panty dropper. I mean, he takes of “problems” for his uncle . . .
and is a huge ladies man who knocks boots with a different broad he picks up at “da club” every night. The problem for me was, I couldn’t get this image out of my mind whenever he was picking up a new one-nighter . . .
The Darkness wasn’t all bad, though. I enjoyed having an “origins” volume that actually provided some origins and I love anti-heroes rather than hero heroes. The twist that went along with Jackie’s power made me LOL . . .
And there were also some interesting friends that accompanied his new gift . . .
Oh, and the artwork? No complaints . . .
Well, except for all of the aforementioned boobs ; )
All in all, not a horrible debut but probably not one that I’ll go out of my way to continue reading.
September 17, 2022
Tje aet was good anyway and dude was good looking 😏
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
April 14, 2020
Some great, horribly violent art by Marc Silvestri back when he still occasionally drew comics. Add in your typical 90's era scantily clad women that appeared in most Top Cow comics. And some very stereotypical Italian mobsters. What you get is The Darkness. A very unlikable hitman gets the power to manufacture any monstrosity he can imagine out of the darkness. He uses that power to disembowel and decapitate lots of people. There isn't as much humor in this as I'd expect from Garth Ennis. Or maybe it just hasn't held up as well as I remember? I did like the cults, rival gangs, and eternal angel factions Ennis set up in this.
November 2, 2019
Who is the Darkness? What is the Darkness? Any why did this critic decide to give this largely forgotten Garth Ennis tome a read? Who really knows.
Just like another graphic novel luminary, while known for smash hits, too have also been been known for a catalogue of largely forgotten shit. Largely outshined by their successive offerings of superior quality (the inverse is true with Moore here) these predecessors are prototypes at best and puerile experiments at worst. And as such, The Darkness is so mediocre its incredible that the same genius who wrote the seminal Preacher also wrote those slop.
With all the values that made Preacher truly seminal, are horribly inverted here. The previously offered characters that despite their profoundly supernatural contexts of set and settings, expounded a deep humanity and a resounding reliability. Conversely our anti-hero, Jackie Estacado, here is nothing more than a mafia employed hitman/part-time cad who’s merely been caught up in the latest skirmish between the infernal and celestial realms. With no relatable qualities or even the slightest depth of character, he’s quite boring overall. Unsurprisingly, if the main character cannot pass a basic muster of characterization, the rest of the dramatic personae falls short against every rubric, leaving us with a hollow husk of unmemorables.
Shoddy characterizations well portend the equally muddy contextual environs within. Again, unlike Preacher which took an extraordinarily creative take on well-known religious tropes and imagery, everything here screams teenage boys-’s testosterone addled delight. As such the swampy world building betrays its intrinsic superficiality as waves of half-naked women and gory fatalities run amok across page after page after page to nauseating repetition.
So when the ending is reached, nothing is to be particularly savored. No resounding denoument here. Nor are any character arcs resolved unto something memorable from something to paltry. From issue 1-6 everything exudes meh to the nth degree of unsatisfaction.
Just like another graphic novel luminary, while known for smash hits, too have also been been known for a catalogue of largely forgotten shit. Largely outshined by their successive offerings of superior quality (the inverse is true with Moore here) these predecessors are prototypes at best and puerile experiments at worst. And as such, The Darkness is so mediocre its incredible that the same genius who wrote the seminal Preacher also wrote those slop.
With all the values that made Preacher truly seminal, are horribly inverted here. The previously offered characters that despite their profoundly supernatural contexts of set and settings, expounded a deep humanity and a resounding reliability. Conversely our anti-hero, Jackie Estacado, here is nothing more than a mafia employed hitman/part-time cad who’s merely been caught up in the latest skirmish between the infernal and celestial realms. With no relatable qualities or even the slightest depth of character, he’s quite boring overall. Unsurprisingly, if the main character cannot pass a basic muster of characterization, the rest of the dramatic personae falls short against every rubric, leaving us with a hollow husk of unmemorables.
Shoddy characterizations well portend the equally muddy contextual environs within. Again, unlike Preacher which took an extraordinarily creative take on well-known religious tropes and imagery, everything here screams teenage boys-’s testosterone addled delight. As such the swampy world building betrays its intrinsic superficiality as waves of half-naked women and gory fatalities run amok across page after page after page to nauseating repetition.
So when the ending is reached, nothing is to be particularly savored. No resounding denoument here. Nor are any character arcs resolved unto something memorable from something to paltry. From issue 1-6 everything exudes meh to the nth degree of unsatisfaction.
October 1, 2016
You can see all of the DNA of this title almost immediately - a 90's comic created by an imprint of Image, written by Garth Ennis. That means over-the-top gore and violence, the majority of female characters dressed in as little as possible (and often used as trophies), and a focus on cheesecake visuals (that are in their own way beautifully done; Silvestri's work on the Darkness and its creations practically drips out of the frames), tied to a story full of corruption and violence. And yet, it actually makes for an interesting story. The idea of a contract killer given super powers and using them for his own purpose as he deals with competing forces intent on controlling or destroying him is well told, and Jackie Estacado makes for an interesting character. He is 80's greed embodied, and the advantages (and drawbacks) of the Darkness definitely affect him, but ultimately its his human nature and skills that lead to the resolution at the end of the first volume. It's not bad, as long as you can tolerate the innuendo and gore. And it does have Garth Ennis' writing style throughout, although in some ways it feels a little more reined in than some of his other series (Preacher, the Boys). You probably won't regret reading this if you're a fan of his, but it's not his best work by any means.
June 5, 2019
Fun, blast from the past, and the art is pretty cool. It's got a very 90's look to it, but if you've got a love of the 90's, this is your jam.
Although it's not too bad in this one, there are touches of a trope that I'm really tired of: Hitman with a Heart of Gold.
This HAS to be one of the stupidest tropes ever. If you watch any of that true crime shit, rarely is a hitman this suave dude in an expensive suit who's an expert. Usually it's some guy hired to whack some lady's husband for a couple thousand bucks. And it seems like they get caught an awful lot. And they usually aren't even wearing a proper shirt, let alone Armani.
Killing people for money, doing that as a career rather than, I dunno, just about any other job, precludes you having a heart of gold. Where's the Arby's Worker with a Heart of Gold? Cart Pusher at Wal-Mart with a Heart of Gold?
Although it's not too bad in this one, there are touches of a trope that I'm really tired of: Hitman with a Heart of Gold.
This HAS to be one of the stupidest tropes ever. If you watch any of that true crime shit, rarely is a hitman this suave dude in an expensive suit who's an expert. Usually it's some guy hired to whack some lady's husband for a couple thousand bucks. And it seems like they get caught an awful lot. And they usually aren't even wearing a proper shirt, let alone Armani.
Killing people for money, doing that as a career rather than, I dunno, just about any other job, precludes you having a heart of gold. Where's the Arby's Worker with a Heart of Gold? Cart Pusher at Wal-Mart with a Heart of Gold?
October 25, 2022
Rating: 2 out of 5| Grade D+; Been there, Done that, with Demons
First of all, let me say that this is definitely not one of Garth Ennis' better work. Sure, it works at some level, as a 90s era, action heavy crime fantasy, with a overpowered man's man protagonist, the type that you'd see step out of some Micheal Bay movie.
There is a whole bunch of gratuitous violence, action, horror that really doesn't scare you, rising actions which lead nowhere; and you know, female characters, the type who you hate to see leave, but love to see them walking away. Plenty of wish fulfillment for inner teenager in you.
But other than that, plot, world building, character development are all non-existent. Jackie Estacado is not a likeable, empathetic character, and at no point do we feel like connecting with him. He's got a whole bunch of super cool demonic powers, no moral compass to guide him, and is an all right toxic mofo, and that doesn't change all that much.
Yet before you start delving on how shallow and paper thin these characters are, here are a whole new bunch of scantily clad, sculpted otherworldly supermodels, who are sure to light some fires in your mind.
By the time you've had your passions under control, you come to realize the whole story has come to pass, with little else to speak of it, but a few decent supernatural cosmic tidbits to chew on, and a few loose plot threads to connect to the sister publications of Witchblade & Angelus.
If you like wish fulfillment, power fantasy & scantily clad women you'll like this series. Otherwise...
First of all, let me say that this is definitely not one of Garth Ennis' better work. Sure, it works at some level, as a 90s era, action heavy crime fantasy, with a overpowered man's man protagonist, the type that you'd see step out of some Micheal Bay movie.
There is a whole bunch of gratuitous violence, action, horror that really doesn't scare you, rising actions which lead nowhere; and you know, female characters, the type who you hate to see leave, but love to see them walking away. Plenty of wish fulfillment for inner teenager in you.
But other than that, plot, world building, character development are all non-existent. Jackie Estacado is not a likeable, empathetic character, and at no point do we feel like connecting with him. He's got a whole bunch of super cool demonic powers, no moral compass to guide him, and is an all right toxic mofo, and that doesn't change all that much.
Yet before you start delving on how shallow and paper thin these characters are, here are a whole new bunch of scantily clad, sculpted otherworldly supermodels, who are sure to light some fires in your mind.
By the time you've had your passions under control, you come to realize the whole story has come to pass, with little else to speak of it, but a few decent supernatural cosmic tidbits to chew on, and a few loose plot threads to connect to the sister publications of Witchblade & Angelus.
If you like wish fulfillment, power fantasy & scantily clad women you'll like this series. Otherwise...
April 24, 2022
Стартувала ця серія в 98-му році, коли читач вже звик до того, що робило видавництво Image.
А воно додавало в комікси про супергероїв сексуалізацію та насильство. В ситуаціях, де стандартні марвелівсько-дісішні персонажі відвішували люлей, герої Імейдж вбивали поганців.
Отже, перед нами черговий антигерой, вбивця на службі у італійської мафії, який отримує у спадок силу Темряви (без пояснень, що то за сила та звідки взялася), і має з тою силою щось робити, бо одразу ж з'являються ті, хто хоче використати Темряву на свою користь чи знищити її. Ряди ворогів теряви поки що не дуже рясні, але дуже типові, майже як в "Спауні", але в менших кількостях. Перший том існує для того, щоб розповісти герою кілька важливих правил, помістивши в сюжет з таємною організацією темрявоприхильників, які хочуть маніпулювати головним героєм, але по фіналу перехочуть. Перша арка дуже примітивна і виділяється лише рівнем ж��рстокості.
Своєю силою вбивця може, власне, ефективно вбивати та створювати різних темних істот. Найефективніше Темрява працює... в темряві. Не можна займатися незахищеним сексом з жінками. Щодо захищеного теж не все ясно. Бо як станеться - все, вмре герой, а сила перейде до його новозачатого нащадка (чи кудись рандомно).
Намальовано наче й цікаво, у головного героя оригінальний костюм, але щодо другорядних персонажей, то їм не вистачає деталізації. Плюс у світі Темряви не існує жінок з неідеальною модельною зовнішністю. Темні гобліни виглядають тут найцікавіше, але в першому томі вони майже не задіяні (жарт про звіра в штанах не рахується).
А воно додавало в комікси про супергероїв сексуалізацію та насильство. В ситуаціях, де стандартні марвелівсько-дісішні персонажі відвішували люлей, герої Імейдж вбивали поганців.
Отже, перед нами черговий антигерой, вбивця на службі у італійської мафії, який отримує у спадок силу Темряви (без пояснень, що то за сила та звідки взялася), і має з тою силою щось робити, бо одразу ж з'являються ті, хто хоче використати Темряву на свою користь чи знищити її. Ряди ворогів теряви поки що не дуже рясні, але дуже типові, майже як в "Спауні", але в менших кількостях. Перший том існує для того, щоб розповісти герою кілька важливих правил, помістивши в сюжет з таємною організацією темрявоприхильників, які хочуть маніпулювати головним героєм, але по фіналу перехочуть. Перша арка дуже примітивна і виділяється лише рівнем ж��рстокості.
Своєю силою вбивця може, власне, ефективно вбивати та створювати різних темних істот. Найефективніше Темрява працює... в темряві. Не можна займатися незахищеним сексом з жінками. Щодо захищеного теж не все ясно. Бо як станеться - все, вмре герой, а сила перейде до його новозачатого нащадка (чи кудись рандомно).
Намальовано наче й цікаво, у головного героя оригінальний костюм, але щодо другорядних персонажей, то їм не вистачає деталізації. Плюс у світі Темряви не існує жінок з неідеальною модельною зовнішністю. Темні гобліни виглядають тут найцікавіше, але в першому томі вони майже не задіяні (жарт про звіра в штанах не рахується).
November 5, 2024
This is 90s image comics to the max. But there is charm to be had. The darkness is a badass looking superhero with edgy little gremlins as he takes on half naked herpy looking creatures. Fun and dumb!
August 23, 2012
A must-read for any comic aficionados, or those who were introduced to the series through the two games based on it. With excellent artistry and superb - and hilarious - writing, readers are introduced to characters that live and breathe on the pages, especially Jackie Estacado and the fantastic cast of supporting characters.
As the inheritor of the Darkness, a primordial eidolon with near-limitless creative power, Jackie is suddenly thrust deeper into a world of equally bleak conflict with forces both human and supernatural either thriving to harness its powers for themselves or outright destroy it. That doesn't even include the mundane trials Jackie goes through as a noted member of the mafia his adopted parent runs. Overall, it's an especially a macabre comic and gives a glimpse of the antihero Jackie in his earlier years.
We're also introduced to Sonatine, the cunning leader of the Brotherhood that seeks the Darkness' powers for themselves, and the Angelus, arch-nemesis born of Light that seeks to destroy the Darkness - and a propos, Jackie - entirely. The conflict culminates into an excellently-drawn showdown of wits as well as brawn when Jackie's powers are put to the test in a search to discover the weaknesses of the nigh undefeatable Angelus.
As the inheritor of the Darkness, a primordial eidolon with near-limitless creative power, Jackie is suddenly thrust deeper into a world of equally bleak conflict with forces both human and supernatural either thriving to harness its powers for themselves or outright destroy it. That doesn't even include the mundane trials Jackie goes through as a noted member of the mafia his adopted parent runs. Overall, it's an especially a macabre comic and gives a glimpse of the antihero Jackie in his earlier years.
We're also introduced to Sonatine, the cunning leader of the Brotherhood that seeks the Darkness' powers for themselves, and the Angelus, arch-nemesis born of Light that seeks to destroy the Darkness - and a propos, Jackie - entirely. The conflict culminates into an excellently-drawn showdown of wits as well as brawn when Jackie's powers are put to the test in a search to discover the weaknesses of the nigh undefeatable Angelus.
August 3, 2017
This book had an original premise and an excellent author going for it, but still managed to fall flat on its face.
I mean, a force of evil suddenly awakens in a hitman? That should totally be cool! But........it's just not. While it's not the worst thing ever, this book is certainly not a promising start for this series. It's a bunch of clichés, bad lines, and lame plot points. I'd give examples, but for me this was one of those books where it's so evident that the author wasn't trying that I'm not going to either.
Since this is a comic book, I feel compelled to mention the art, at least in passing: it's good but is nothing special. Probably the best part of the book.
Back to the story: look, Garth Ennis is the guy who gave us Preacher, one of the most dark, graphic comic books of all time. You'd think that same guy would be able to do ok with a story about a guy who is literally THE DARKNESS. But somehow, no. I recently received this book as a birthday present, along with the second volume, so I'm going to read that one now, and I really hope it tries something different this time around.
I mean, a force of evil suddenly awakens in a hitman? That should totally be cool! But........it's just not. While it's not the worst thing ever, this book is certainly not a promising start for this series. It's a bunch of clichés, bad lines, and lame plot points. I'd give examples, but for me this was one of those books where it's so evident that the author wasn't trying that I'm not going to either.
Since this is a comic book, I feel compelled to mention the art, at least in passing: it's good but is nothing special. Probably the best part of the book.
Back to the story: look, Garth Ennis is the guy who gave us Preacher, one of the most dark, graphic comic books of all time. You'd think that same guy would be able to do ok with a story about a guy who is literally THE DARKNESS. But somehow, no. I recently received this book as a birthday present, along with the second volume, so I'm going to read that one now, and I really hope it tries something different this time around.
December 1, 2012
Appeal Characteristics: art, super fantastic looking main hero, action, adventure, weird powers...
The main guy...Jackie Estacado is super hot! A ladies man...and a hit-man for the Italian mob. The thing that kept me reading was his interaction with the waitress...SO FUNNY! One night he "inherits" darkness (this like super olllldddd force...and other stuff that i'm still confused about... I mean is he the keeper of hell? Is he a type of Satan? He commands these mystical forces?) ANYWAY, he gets this super power that makes him "super killer" ...and finds out this other group called "Angellus" or the "Light" is out TO KILL HIM.
He's like a anti-super hero...or the name of the person whose like a flawed superhero. I had a fun time being in this world briefly, I'm not sure I will go back and visit anytime soon...but I do want him to get with Sara Pezzini (she's Witchblade on the Angellus side) just putting it out there... There was this great Tumblr dedicated to their pairing...
The main guy...Jackie Estacado is super hot! A ladies man...and a hit-man for the Italian mob. The thing that kept me reading was his interaction with the waitress...SO FUNNY! One night he "inherits" darkness (this like super olllldddd force...and other stuff that i'm still confused about... I mean is he the keeper of hell? Is he a type of Satan? He commands these mystical forces?) ANYWAY, he gets this super power that makes him "super killer" ...and finds out this other group called "Angellus" or the "Light" is out TO KILL HIM.
He's like a anti-super hero...or the name of the person whose like a flawed superhero. I had a fun time being in this world briefly, I'm not sure I will go back and visit anytime soon...but I do want him to get with Sara Pezzini (she's Witchblade on the Angellus side) just putting it out there... There was this great Tumblr dedicated to their pairing...
November 16, 2016
Čistá jedna. Ennis ve své nejhorší formě, tuctová Top Cow kresba.
May 30, 2024
O assassino da máfia Jackie Estacado não é uma boa pessoa, afinal, ele é um assassino da máfia, e quando ele completa 21 anos descobre que herdou um poder. O poder sobre a escuridão, que nas palavras do Sonatine, um dos sacerdotes dessa escuridão, é a “força com bomba”. Ele herdou esses poderes no momento que foi concebido. Seu pai, Danny Estacado também era um assassino e manipulava esse poder. Enquanto ele aprende sobre esse poder (inclusive como matar das mais criativas formas), ele descobre também que uma batalha entre a escuridão e a luz está sendo travada há milênios, e Angeluz é a campeã da Luz e vai fazer de tudo pra matar Jackie e acabar com a escuridão. Ele também descobre que o poder passa de pai pra filho, e no momento que o filho é concebido, o pai morre. E a única maneira 100% eficaz de não engravidar a mulher (pelo menos na cabeça do Garth Ennis) é manter-se celibatário. E essa é a história de The Darkness, o puro suco dos anos 90 e do início da Era Image. Os desenhos do Marc Silvestri tem todos aqueles exageros dos anos 90. Homens musculosos e mulheres maravilhosas, muito traço, muita hachura e pontas e espinhos. E o roteiro também é bastante bobo. Mas é uma leitura divertida, que você desliga o cérebro por 2 horas lendo aquele gibizinho com imagens bonitas. Com todo esse revival de anos 90 chegando no mercado de quadrinhos brasileiro, vale a pena pegar pra ler esse gibi se estiver numa boa promoção.
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July 14, 2020Angsty, womanizing hitman inherits supernatural powers. He’s groomed by a shady cult that battles the forces of light led by a scantily clad angel. BIood, impossibly curved women, and impossibly muscled men abound. Yep, it’s the 90’s! And you know what, The Darkness isn’t terrible. There’s a clear, straightforward plot, and Ennis keeps the story moving. Even Silvestri, a 90’s artist if there ever was one, manages some interesting scenes here and there. There's a fair share of laughable moments (“I can’t have sex!”), and The Darkness is basically a Spawn knockoff. But these six issues don’t try to be anything other than what they are: over-the-top angst-fueled action. For that I have to give them credit.
February 21, 2023
Hard to believe this is the same Garth Ennis from Preacher, Hitman, and The Boys. I guess he was just finding his way as a writer? (I hope that's the explanation for this dull nonsense) This is a boring, overly-simplistic story, with some of the least-developed characters I've ever read. About the only thing it has going for it is the artwork, which is the typical, over-the-top bombast of other Image titles of the time period (see: The Witchblade). I'm not even sure this has value has a historic document, to be honest, though it is slightly better than early issues of Witchblade.
September 18, 2024
Embarrassingly bad. I remember this being one of the first books I bought when I first got into comics as a kid. I liked the art, but I think I must have recognized even then how bad this was, because I didn’t read it for more than one collection.
I’ve been on a bit of an Ennis kick of late, so i decided to give it another look. Nostalgia couldn’t even get me through it. The art isn’t even that good by today’s standards. The character design is still pretty cool I guess, but that’s all the positive I can say. I cannot believe Ennis was writing Hellblazer at the same time as this.
I’ve been on a bit of an Ennis kick of late, so i decided to give it another look. Nostalgia couldn’t even get me through it. The art isn’t even that good by today’s standards. The character design is still pretty cool I guess, but that’s all the positive I can say. I cannot believe Ennis was writing Hellblazer at the same time as this.
April 14, 2025
Having played (and loved) the second Darkness game years ago, I've obviously wanted to check out the comic. Skip to now, and said wish has been fulfilled.
it's fine. Uneven writing, great art, some interesting moments, some meh ones. It was worth reading to satisfy my curiosity (and of course so I got to see Silvestri's great art), and it's certainly not terrible, but it's hard to give it a full blown recommendation. If you're in a similar boat to me, and/or you can find it for a cheap price, then I'd say go for it. It's an okay time.
it's fine. Uneven writing, great art, some interesting moments, some meh ones. It was worth reading to satisfy my curiosity (and of course so I got to see Silvestri's great art), and it's certainly not terrible, but it's hard to give it a full blown recommendation. If you're in a similar boat to me, and/or you can find it for a cheap price, then I'd say go for it. It's an okay time.
July 21, 2017
after being introduced to Jackie, aka The Darkness, in the Witchblade series I finally got around to reading his story.
We enter Jackie's life,a hired killer for the mob, just as he turned twenty one and the power he inherited from his dad blooms into force. he finds new ways to kill with this power and new ways to hurt those who care for him.
a really good story written by Garth Ennis, a strange turn from the normal ultraviolet stuff he's normally crafting.
We enter Jackie's life,a hired killer for the mob, just as he turned twenty one and the power he inherited from his dad blooms into force. he finds new ways to kill with this power and new ways to hurt those who care for him.
a really good story written by Garth Ennis, a strange turn from the normal ultraviolet stuff he's normally crafting.
February 1, 2021
This was very... boy. Teenage boy. But that may not be a legitimate criticism, I should have assumed that when I opened a tpb from TopCow.
******spoilers*******
The antagonists weren't developed enough. It made no sense that a being that lived for almost a millennium would do all of the stupid things she did in this volume. Bring her mortal lover to a gunfight? ugh -- and not even tricked to do that.
******spoilers*******
The antagonists weren't developed enough. It made no sense that a being that lived for almost a millennium would do all of the stupid things she did in this volume. Bring her mortal lover to a gunfight? ugh -- and not even tricked to do that.
November 18, 2020
Well, it was a nice experience.
Good looking characters, a lot of "too much" scenes, dark themes and all. It's all that the 90's had to offer in comics. Here we see Jackie Estacado turning 21 and just inheriting a super power tha can control The Darkness.
Overall, it was fun to read. I think it's a piece of history to know and read this kind of work.
Good looking characters, a lot of "too much" scenes, dark themes and all. It's all that the 90's had to offer in comics. Here we see Jackie Estacado turning 21 and just inheriting a super power tha can control The Darkness.
Overall, it was fun to read. I think it's a piece of history to know and read this kind of work.
February 4, 2021
A super 90s feeling book, with the 90s gore to match. Fun enough, but I think the reason I didn't pick these up sooner was I thought the costume was a bit goofy.
Full disclosure my first exposure to The Darkness was the video game, so thats probably colouring my outlook.
Full disclosure my first exposure to The Darkness was the video game, so thats probably colouring my outlook.
February 17, 2021
As good as Ennis gets!
If you're an Ennis fan, you owe it to yourself to read this. SO GOOD. The Darkness is one of his best creations. Together with Silvestri's art, it is a powerhouse.
If you're an Ennis fan, you owe it to yourself to read this. SO GOOD. The Darkness is one of his best creations. Together with Silvestri's art, it is a powerhouse.
September 20, 2018
3.75 stars
July 12, 2019
Ich habe so vergessen... Oder damals nicht begriffen, was für ein geiler Humor hier herrscht :D
May 21, 2020
Gory, funny, awesome.
August 13, 2022
A little “try hard” but the writing and story has potential.
October 21, 2022
Sexist, ableist trash. DNF, with prejudice.
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February 1, 2023Terrific
I really enjoyed this book. The story isn't completely logical but it's still full of great art, violence and an underrated antihero.
I really enjoyed this book. The story isn't completely logical but it's still full of great art, violence and an underrated antihero.
May 14, 2023
The whole comic gives off vibes very similar to Samurai Champloo, and I really like it.
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