Oh great, The Darkness is back 🙄. Yes, that iconic, long-running (and by “long-running” we mean “milked dry”) series is returning this December because original co-creator Marc Silvestri (Cyber Force, Batman and the Joker: The Deadly Duo) needs more money!💰 Published by Image Comics/Top Cow Productions (because who else would touch this?), it’s got artwork by Ed Benes (Birds of Prey, Justice League of America). Get ready for The Darkness (2025) #1, ushering in a new era for Jackie Estacado, the anti-hero you totally forgot about.
This new series marks Silvestri’s long-awaited return to the franchise he co-created in 1996, promising a thrilling expansion of The Darkness mythology with fresh twists to surprise even its most devoted fans. Oh, you mean like, he’ll turn out to be a vegan or something? 🌱 I can’t wait for the thrilling experience of seeing the same character do the same things in a slightly different way. Innovation at its finest!
“The Darkness has always been one of my favorite characters, and I’ve wanted to come back to it for a long time,” said Silvestri. “Fans have been asking for years when Jackie would return, and now we get to deliver something truly special. This is going to feel familiar, but it’s going to take you places you’ve never been before.” Translation: “I needed a paycheck. You’ll recognize the character, but we’ll make sure to add some woke elements to keep things “fresh.” Prepare for the same old Darkness, but somehow even more bland!” 😴
The Darkness (2025) #1 will feature pencils by Benes with inks from Matt “Batt!” Banning, Sal Regla, and John Livesay, colours by Arif Prianto, and letters by Troy Peteri. All these names to make sure it’s… mediocre? 🤔
It will also launch with an eye-popping lineup of variant covers from Silvestri, Benes, and acclaimed artist David Mack, along with blank sketch options, high-ratio incentives, and ultra-rare signed and original art editions for collectors. Because what better way to show you care than buying the same comic 12 times with slightly different pictures on the front? Gotta catch ’em all! 🤑
Fan-favorite Raymond Gay (Gunslinger Spawn, TMNT) will take up Benes’ mantle on interior pencils for The Darkness (2025) #2. Because we just couldn’t keep the original artist for more than one issue. Quality control! 💯
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. Acclaimed? Really? More like “existing.” 🎮 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. AKA, they’re hoping you’re dumb enough to buy it again. 🤡
Silvestri added, “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.” Translation: “We’re going to take everything you liked and ruin it with modern sensibilities. Jackie will now be fighting for social justice while juggling his demonic powers. Get ready to be disappointed!” 😠
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. Or, you know, spend your money on something actually good. Just a thought! 💡
The Darkness (2025) #1 will be available at local comic book shops on Wednesday, December 10:
- 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
The Darkness (2025) #1 will also be available across many digital platforms, including Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Play. So you can waste your money anywhere! 🎉
Finn McFrame, celebrated satirical mastermind and self-proclaimed “Emperor of Irony,” started his illustrious career as a cinematographer, where his expertise in capturing every single frame of a squirrel stealing a baguette earned him accolades at obscure film festivals.
Born in the glamorous town of Boring, Oregon, Finn grew up with dreams of being a Hollywood director until he realized that satire, not cinema, was his true calling—or at least the one that let him sleep until noon.
Finn McFrame: changing the world, one satirical lens flare at a time.
