The Darkness #7 hit stands today. But how does the new storyline rate?
The Darkness #7
Writer: Phil Hester
Artist: Jorge Lucas
Covers: Jorge Lucas (A, featured below), Stjepan Sejic (B), and Phil Hester (C, exclusive for The Hero Initiative)
Summary: Never has Jackie Estacado’s dark, evil history served him so well as when he crosses paths with La Bruja de Las Paredes. Fleeing from the Central American country he once ruled over, Jackie runs afoul of the witch, who has enslaved a Mexican town by eating the memories and nightmares of its citizens.
Guest artist Jorge Lucas (PILOT SEASON: RIPCLAW) steps in and shows how his gritty art style perfectly captures the spirit of The Darkness. Stjepan Sejic (WITCHBLADE) contributes a stunning variant cover, while Phil Hester contributes a special cover for The Hero Initiative. (All proceeds from the sale of Phil Hester’s cover will go to The Hero Initiative.)
Review: This new installment of The Darkness marks the start of a brand new story arc and the first of four issues drawn by Jorge Lucas. It’s also Legacy Issue #71 (the 71st issue of the series overall)—and it’s all leading up to February’s milestone, issue #75.
Now, when it comes down to it, this issue is actually pretty good. The art by Jorge Lucas is great and acts as a nice transition into the new storyline—but that’s just it. What IS the new storyline? I have no idea.
As I was reading the comic, one thing kept running through my mind: “This feels like a one-shot.” It’s a solid, fun little issue, but it definitely does NOT feel like the start of an arc. I really couldn’t take a wild guess where the storyline is going next—and I’m pretty sure that with the first issue of a fresh storyline you’re supposed to have some idea of what’s going on and why it deserves to be called, well, a storyline.
That matter aside, issue #7 still doesn’t live up to its predecessors. The first six issues of this new volume have seriously rocked socks; unfortunately, this can’t help but feel like a step down. I guess it’s bound to happen—all titles have their good days and their bad—but having this issue set up like a one-shot doesn’t help things. In fact, it actually seems to inhibit the comic by disrupting the flow and slowing things down. Instead of the rolling boulder continuing to gain speed and catching fire from its own awesomeness, it just waded through the mud. Blegh.
Honestly, though. Despite my complaints, this issue is very enjoyable. With touches of snarky humor and fantastic visuals that draw you into the height of the moment, the story becomes really, really fun—a great ride that ends smoothly and keeps you coming back again and again.
But seriously, if only it were a one-shot. In fact, I would have loved to see this issue as a part of a collection of one-shots—a kind of The Darkness short story collection by different writers and artists. What a treat that would be!
Anyway, I say pick this up. You can check out a preview below. Until next time!
November 12th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
Yeah, I agree, this feels like a one-shot. I never would have guessed it was part of a run. But you know what? It was still good! Random, but good. Jackie never surprises me with the shit he manages to get into. LOL. Why do they always involve at least one hot woman btw??
November 12th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Women falling all over him—whether they’re evil or not—automatically makes him hotter. I think that’s the mindset, anyway. I could be wrong.