The Darkness #3: A Gore-Filled Payback Issue

The Darkness #3 (Image Comics, 2/1826): Writer Marc Silvestri and artist Raymond Gay unleash Jackie Estacado’s demon horde in a savage mafia massacre mode, blending lore exposition with gory payback. Kinetic creative execution rewards series fans with escalating thrills. Verdict: Pull if you crave supernatural crime gore.​

• Writer: Marc Silvestri
• Artist: Raymond Gay
• Colorist: Arif Prianto
• Letterer: Troy Peteri
• Cover Artist: Raymond Gay, Arif Prianto (cover A)
• Publisher: Image Comics
• Release Date: February 18, 2026
• Comic Rating: Mature
• Cover Price: $3.99
• Page Count: 34
• Format: Single Issue

Covers:

Analysis of THE DARKNESS #3:

First Impressions:

Jackie Estacado’s raw unleashing of demonic fury hits like a freight train, immediately gripping with its unapologetically violent payoff after the subway escape. The shadowy lair reveal under the UN cleverly blends opulence and occult menace, swiftly hooking you into the lore while Jenny’s unease adds tense relatability. Visually, the inks explode with kinetic savagery during the massacre, making every page pulse with chaotic energy.​

Sonatine’s smug exposition lands smoothly at first, but his casual demon-slaying snaps the immersion sharply, underscoring the powers’ volatile edge. Overall, the issue confidently ramps stakes, positioning Jackie as a reluctant anti-hero you root for amid the bloodbath.

Recap:

Following the Angelus ambush in the subway in The Darkness #2 where Jackie summoned demons to fight back and Sonatine secured Jenny’s safety, Jackie and Jenny arrive at Sonatine’s lavish underground base beneath the United Nations. The enigmatic mentor introduces Jackie as the Brotherhood’s messiah against the Angelus’ Light, explains the Darkness as life’s primal force manifesting subconscious demons, and hints at forces beyond control shaping his fate. As Jenny grows uneasy and her family goes unreachable, Jackie promises to check on her parents while handling mafia business, unaware of brewing heavenly leverage.

Plot Analysis (SPOILERS):

Jackie, Jenny, and Sonatine settle into the opulent underground lair six hundred feet beneath the United Nations, where the Brotherhood ritually hails Jackie as their king for the coming Black Sun. Sonatine thoughtfully orders gourmet dinner, revealing his hobby of knowing personal details like Jenny’s vegetarianism, then explains the Darkness as an ancient elemental life force; Jackie channels it like his ancestors, summoning demons from emotional spikes as subconscious manifestations. The Angelus Queen senses a cold shift in the sun, ordering General Krakus to ready the wolves of war, while Jenny frets over her unreachable family.​

Sonatine banishes one of Jackie’s unruly demons with a snap, stressing to stay out of light, as Jenny demands to go home amid her worry. Jackie recalls the Angelus’ subway grab for Jenny as leverage, prompting him to check on her parents while Sonatine steps out; meanwhile, Russian mobsters in Brighton Beach toast the Franchetti demise and mock Jackie, until gunshots erupt.​

Jackie unleashes demons disguised as pizza delivery on the Novikov crew, slaughtering guards amid screams and gunfire, with snake-like tentacles and goblins overwhelming them chaotically. Bullets bounce off the armored Jackie, who taunts leader Novikov before viciously slashing him, then phones mob boss Alexi to threaten his family unless they shut down operations against the Estacados.​

Jackie visits his hospitalized uncle, recaps scaring off the Russians, then heads to the Peterson home, promising Jenny a favor. A neighbor witnesses Mrs. Peterson sprinting out screaming before an invisible force bisects her horrifically across the lawn, leaving cops baffled as Jackie arrives on scene.

How is the story in THE DARKNESS #3?

The narrative velocity surges brilliantly through the dual action threads, alternating Jackie’s power discovery with the gore-soaked mafia hit to build relentless stakes escalation. Dialogue crackles authentically in mob taunts and Sonatine’s cryptic barbs, layering subtext about destiny without clunky exposition management; emotional resonance peaks as Jenny’s vulnerability contrasts Jackie’s hardening resolve.​

Structure weaves character beats fluidly between lair lore and brutal payback, propelling the issue forward with sharp, punchy transitions that heighten tension. Yet, the Angelus subplot feels tellingly underdeveloped, relying on sparse chants that slow momentum slightly amid the human drama.

How is the art in THE DARKNESS #3?

Panel choreography masterfully guides the eye through the lair’s grandeur to the massacre’s frenzy, with gutter space amplifying suspense before demon bursts explode across spreads. Character acting shines in Jackie’s smirking menace and Jenny’s wide-eyed horror, their expressions conveying volumes through subtle shifts; ink density thickens shadows menacingly, fueling kinetic energy in every tentacle lash.​

Atmospheric lighting cleverly plays light versus dark, UV glows on Angelus hinting invisibility while subterranean blues evoke claustrophobic mystery. Visual synergy elevates gore scenes, where color pops blood reds against inky blacks, immersing readers in visceral chaos without sacrificing clarity.

Characters

Jackie evolves consistently from reluctant host to empowered predator, his mafia loyalty driving the rampage while protectiveness for Jenny humanizes him sharply. Sonatine’s manipulative charm reveals layers of control freakishness, consistently positioning him as shadowy puppet-master. Jenny anchors relatability through her grounded fear and family worry, making her leverage ploy devastatingly credible.

Originality & Concept Execution

Blending mob revenge with ancient Darkness lore refreshes the anti-hero trope vividly, executing the “evil is good” premise through Jackie’s gleeful savagery against foes. Demon summons tied to emotions innovatively ground supernatural chaos in psychology, delivering promised power growth with unflinching gore.

Pros and Cons

What We Loved

• Brilliantly kinetic demon choreography drives massacre tension skyward.
• Sharply authentic mob banter escalates stakes with gritty subtext.
• Expertly dense inks amplify atmospheric lighting in shadows.

Room for Improvement

• Exposition management lags in Brotherhood chants, stalling velocity.
• Angelus Queen’s sparse beats weaken opposing threat clarity.
• Gutter space overloads slightly in gore spreads, muddling flow.

Art Samples:

The Scorecard:

Writing Quality (Clarity & Pacing): 3.5/4
Art Quality (Execution & Synergy): 3.5/4
Value (Originality & Entertainment): 1.5/2

Final Thoughts:

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THE DARKNESS #3

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