Jackie branches out to new blood, but what kind of anti-Sovereign campaign does he plan to run?
The Darkness #79
Publisher: Top Cow
Writer: Phil Hester
Artist: Jorge Lucas
Covers: Jorge Lucas (Cover A) and Whilce Portacio (Cover B)
Summary: Jorge Lucas returns for a special issue of The Darkness. Jackie Estacado, bearer of The Darkness, is through with being someone else’s bag man and assembles a special team of thieves, smugglers, and murderers for one purpose - to take down The Sovereign.
Review: A new arc begins with the prologue to “Regicide,” centered on taking out Jackie’s strongest foe yet: the Sovereign. Last time writer Phil Hester threw the Darkness bearer head-first down an agonizing well of lies and manipulation while serving up a cringe-worthy lesson in immorality. Yeah, ouch. As if Jackie wasn’t dark enough, he essentially became a black-stringed puppet for a collector of souls. I’m sure some readers found the reveal about the Sovereign’s deceit coaxing Jackie into a job as the Sovereign’s lapdog a bit flat. Regardless, the twist propelled Jackie into a newer, more grown up world of self-awareness and war in the big leagues. If you’re not sure what I’m talking about, check out our recent interview with Hester! Things are about to get ugly in Chicago.
With the infamously amusing, troublesome Darklings by his side, Jackie’s back—and he brought a crew to help him out as both a daytime task force and an army to fend off the Sovereign. In The Darkness #79, we learn about the new recruits, each boasting his (or her) own dangerous specialty. At the first meeting of Jackie’s Gangstas (okay, I made that name up), Estacado lays the groundwork on what he fully intends to be a tightly run organization. The strict set of rules are as definite and straightforward as day and night, but the payout sure impresses. Still, with everyone dangling something invaluable over the table, and past mob ties to boot, who’s to say something—or someone—won’t screw up their little deal?
The group introduction made it clear that the lone wolf will be keeping a close eye on his pack from afar, but how strongly will Jackie’s desire for a sense of family interfere as a temptation? Will blood and money mix, muddying the waters? We’ll have to wait until “Regicide” locks and loads, but lately The Darkness comes armed with quality as high as its body count. Not to mention Jorge Lucas’s art forces the comic to live up to its name.
