THE DARKNESS #1 – New Comic Review

The Darkness #1, by Image Comics on 12/10/25, marks the violent return of Jackie Estacado to the printed page. It is a loud and aggressive reintroduction that aims to remind everyone why bad boys with demonic powers were the kings of the comic shop in the 90s.

Credits:

• Writer: Marc Silvestri
• Artist: Ed Benes, Sal Regla, John Livesay, Matt Banning
• Colorist: Arif Prianto
• Letterer: Troy Peteri
• Cover Artist: David Mack (cover A)
• Publisher: Image Comics
• Release Date: December 10, 2025
• Comic Rating: Mature (sexuality, language, gore)
• Cover Price: $4.99
• Page Count: 48
• Format: Oversize Issue

Covers:

Analysis of THE DARKNESS #1:

First Impressions:

My immediate gut reaction to the opening pages was a mix of nostalgia and mild exhaustion at the heavy-handed mobster tropes. The art grabs you by the throat with its sharp lines and moody lighting, promising a visual feast even if the script feels a bit like a greatest hits album. It felt like stepping into a time machine set to “edgy cool,” which is exactly what you expect from this franchise.

Plot Analysis:

The story opens with a glimpse of Jackie Estacado’s troubled childhood at an orphanage before shifting to his adult life as a mafia hitman in the Bronx. After executing an old associate named Max, Jackie meets his Uncle Frankie in Little Italy for a tense sit-down with the Russian mob. The meeting sours quickly, and Jackie barely navigates the political minefield before leaving.

Seeking solace in a dry martini and a casual hookup, Jackie’s evening takes a sharp turn when his intimate encounter triggers a terrifying supernatural transformation. As he writhes in agony, the woman reveals her awareness of “The Darkness,” declaring that it demands a new master. Meanwhile, a celestial entity known as the Angelus monitors the event, ordering her warriors to strike Jackie during his vulnerable moment of rebirth.

The Angelus’s forces ambush Jackie in his penthouse, unleashing heavy fire in an attempt to kill him before he fully manifests his powers. Confused and under siege, Jackie embraces the chaotic voice in his head, transforming into a monster that shreds his attackers. A small, imp-like creature named Zack urges him to flee, prompting Jackie to leap twenty stories down to escape the celestial hit squad.

Jackie wakes up in a garbage pile the next morning, where he is found by his childhood friend Jenny and a mysterious man named Sonatine. Sonatine explains that Jackie has inherited a powerful curse from his father and warns him that the Angelus is hunting him, adding that any future sexual encounters will be lethal. After Sonatine departs, Jackie calls his associate Butch, learning that the Russians have decimated his family and hospitalized Uncle Frankie, leaving Jackie to face his new reality with only his inner demons for company.

Story

Marc Silvestri’s script moves at a breakneck pace, juggling mob drama and supernatural horror with mixed results. The dialogue leans heavily on tough-guy slang that borders on caricature, making it hard to take the emotional beats seriously. However, the structure is solid, effectively setting up the stakes and the universe without getting too bogged down in exposition until the very end.

Art

Ed Benes delivers exactly what you pay for, which is dynamic, sexy, and hyper-detailed superhero art. The action sequences are legible and punchy, ensuring that the violence feels visceral rather than just messy. Arif Prianto’s colors do a lot of heavy lifting here, soaking the pages in deep purples and oranges that sell the supernatural atmosphere perfectly.

Characters

Jackie is the quintessential anti-hero, a jerk with a heart of gold who kills people but feels bad about it. He is not particularly deep yet, but his protective streak toward his uncle gives him enough humanity to keep you rooting for him. The villains are largely one-note so far, serving mostly as obstacles to be punched or shot.

Originality & Concept Execution

This is a reboot that plays the hits, retelling the origin story with modern polish but very few new ideas. The “sex triggers the curse” concept remains a central plot point, which feels a bit dated in its execution. It executes the “mobster meets demons” premise competently, but it does not yet offer a fresh twist to distinguish it from previous iterations.

Positives

The art is the undisputed king of this book, with the creative team delivering a slick, high-contrast look that suits the supernatural noir vibe perfectly. The transition from the gritty streets of the Bronx to the monstrous chaos of the Darkness manifestation is handled visually with effortless style. If you are here for cool monsters and mafia shootouts, this book delivers that specific goods in spades.

Negatives

The script struggles to balance its mob drama with the supernatural elements, often feeling like two different comics smashed together. The dialogue occasionally dips into cliché, and the exposition dump from Sonatine in the final act grinds the pacing to a halt. It asks you to buy into a lot of lore very quickly, which might alienate new readers who just wanted a cool hitman story.

Art Samples:

The Scorecard:

Writing Quality (Clarity & Pacing): [2.5/4]
Art Quality (Execution & Synergy): [4/4]
Value (Originality & Entertainment): [1/2]

Final Thoughts:

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THE DARKNESS #1 is a visual powerhouse that stumbles a bit when it opens its mouth to speak. It earns a place in your budget if you prioritize top-tier art and 90s nostalgia over nuanced storytelling. If you are looking for a deep, character-driven drama, you might want to look elsewhere, but for a popcorn action flick in comic form, it gets the job done.

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