Comics
The Death Of ‘The Darkness’
Image Comics is trying really hard to pump up their Top Cow universe. While I know they have their die hard fans, it’s difficult to bring new readers into the world of Witchblade and The Darkness, even after a reboot. It’s quite strange because the Top Cow universe books are consistent month after month, with creative teams that constantly bring something new to the table.
Heading your way this November is a 128-page graphic novel from the regular “Darkness” creative team, David Hine and artist Stjepan Sejic, “The Darkness: The Death of Jackie Estacado”. It’s up to Jackie and his soul-sucking power to save the universe from the corruption he bestowed upon it. Considering the book is only $9.99, I’d say it’s a must for anyone curious about the Top Cow universe as it directly leads into what they have coming in the new year.
Official Press Release:
Jackie Estacado, bearer of the Darkness, saw a chance to alter reality and took it. The consequences of that decision played out in the pages of THE DARKNESS, as Jackie watched his world rot from the inside out while he was powerless to stop the corruption.
Now, writer David Hine and artist Stjepan Sejic are putting an end to Jackie Estacado in this landmark event in the mythos of THE DARKNESS with the release of THE DARKNESS: THE DEATH OF JACKIE ESTACADO, a 128-page graphic novel releasing this November.
Recent praise for THE DARKNESS:
“David Hine is easily one of the most talented writers to grace this book, as each issue builds on the previous one, giving the series the feeling of an escalating crescendo.”
– Harrison Rawdin, Unleash the Fanboy
“[David Hine] understands horror and has used it to good effect throughout his run.”
– Joe Edward Lewis, Geeks Unleashed
“The Darkness is becoming a favorite comic each month.”
– Rob McMonigal, Newsarama
When Jackie chose to alter reality by resurrecting a past love, he provided a pathway for an older, more horrible evil than the Darkness to enter the world. As long as Jackie lives, that evil will strengthen its hold on the world. In order for everyone to live, Jackie Estacado must die, and Witchblade-bearer Sara Pezzini, whose own life was irrevocably altered by Jackie’s choice, is his executioner.
THE DARKNESS: THE DEATH OF JACKIE ESTACADO follows up on recent events in THE DARKNESS, and is essential for anyone curious about where the Top Cow Universe is going to go next.
THE DARKNESS: THE DEATH OF JACKIE ESTACADO GN will be released on 12/11 at $9.99 for 128 pages, and can be pre-ordered using Diamond Code SEP130525.
The supernatural world of Korean folk horror movie Exhuma grows larger with the arrival of prequel spinoff webtoon Maengjong this weekend, Variety reports today.
Naver Webtoon debuts Maengjong on May 30.
The series hails from Haemuri (Olgami) and will trace the high school origins of how shaman duo Hwarim and Bonggil, played by Kim Go-eun and Lee Do-hyun in the 2024 film, came together to face occultish threats.
The story is set to begin when “Hwarim, who has been concealing her identity following a childhood encounter with a snake spirit called Jin, crosses paths with Bonggil at their school.”
Variety notes that Exhuma director Jang Jae-hyun participated in the project’s early concept stage.
“We are presenting ‘Maengjong,’ a new series capturing the appeal of the horror-occult genre, ahead of the full summer season,” said Lee Jeong-geun, Naver Webtoon’s Korea webtoon content leader. “With the high school story of Hwarim and Bonggil, who left a strong impression in the film ‘Exhuma,’ enhanced by Haemuri’s characteristic tense direction, we expect it will be a welcome work for genre fans.”
“It is meaningful that the spin-off story of ‘Exhuma,’ loved by many audiences, expands by meeting the new grammar of webtoon,” said Lee Hyeon-jeong, managing director of the film business division at Showbox, which distributed the film. “We hope it will be a fresh experience for both film fans and webtoon readers.”
Exhuma was a breakout hit in 2024, becoming the first Korean occult film to surpass 10 million ticket buyers and the country’s highest-grossing film of the year. I wrote in my review that “the intricately woven Exhuma delivers one of the year’s biggest surprises in horror so far.”
The bond between Hwarim and Bonggil was one of the film’s highlights, making this prequel webtoon a must for fans.
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