The day that evil reigns and overwhelming light extinguishes us all? Yup, cloudy and chance of apocalypse.
The Darkness #75 (previously #11 in current series)
Writer: Phil Hester
Artists: Broussard, Keown, Benitez, Timson, Carter, Irving, et al.
Covers: Lee Bermejo (A, wraparound), Dale Keown (B), Stjepan Sejic (C), Michael Broussard (D, below)
Summary: An all-star cast of artists assembles in this oversized book to illustrate the historic 75th overall issue of The Darkness. Combining all three volumes of The Darkness since its debut in 1996, we’re renumbering the current series to pay tribute to the legacy of this rich and storied character.
Journey into a bleak and twisted future to witness humanity’s struggle to survive amongst the wreckage of the eternal conflict between The Darkness and The Angelus. Can Jackie Estacado step off this path to ultimate destruction or will he allow The Darkness to turn him into a global tyrant?
Review: Phil Hester … Phil Friggin’ Hester, you are the man, bringing us yet another great comic.
“Absolute Darkness” is set in a future where pollution has grown so thick, the sun is blocked out by smog and the earth is cold and dying. The sisters of the Magdalena fight to preserve the human race by fighting against the world’s aged but dangerously powerful self-appointed ruler, Jackie Estacado—host to the Darkness even now.
Because of the constant shadow the extreme pollution has caused, there’s no end to the sinister energy that fuels the Darkness. As a result, you could practically trip over all the Darklings, which litter the earth like cochroaches, feasting on the Darkness’s unwavering strength.
Jackie is very close to wiping out all those who oppose him, but the Magdalena’s followers have one last hope: a boy spoke of in prophecy. They mean to resurrect the Magdalena, but the tomb they find isn’t what they think. The issue takes a sudden turn near the end that you won’t see coming, and it’s a good one. Hester deserves his props for creating this well-crafted, stand-alone Darkness story, and so do the artists. The various styles of artwork enhance the mood and imminent peril of “Absolute Darkness,” and the use of flashback two-thirds of the way through the comic is easy to detect thanks to the dramatic shift in style and especially color.
The Darkness #75—which hits stores today—is a real treat, so even if you’re not a regular Darkness fan I encourage you to give it a shot. It might be a unusually pricey this time around, but it’s well worth your money. This issue offers four covers, too, so take your pick!
February 12th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Did Darkness reset? You have reviews for 5-10, and now 75? I lost track a long time ago when Silvestri left the project, just like he always does…
February 12th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
“The Darkness #75 (previously #11 in current series)”
Yup, it reset! Top Cow has switched over the “Legacy” numbering—so instead of listing them by volume and number (this is volume 3 I believe, issue #11), from now on they’re counting them by the overall total. Which definitely makes it easier, but will be kind of confusing for a little while—until it sinks in.
February 12th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
Wow, that was…intense. I don’t think I much like that Jackie. I have a hard time justifying how much I like him as a mobster! Fantastic story though, and the compilation of art was a treat!
February 13th, 2009 at 6:37 am
Yeah, it worked really well!