The Darkness is a series of comics produced by Top Cow Productions (TCP). The comic first appeared in 1996 and enjoyed an initial period of relative success during the TCP/Image Comics boom of the late 1990s. However, TCP were forced to "relaunch" the comic in 2002 after sales began to drop. The comic has sold over 1 million copies worldwide. The series was created by Marc Silvestri, Garth Ennis, and David Wohl , other noted writers, including Paul Jenkins, have also worked on the Darkness.

In December 2004 Dimension Films paid an undisclosed six-figure sum to develop a possible movie based on the comic, planned for release in 2007. The comic was pitched as a similar movie to the Crow, which was also produced by Dimension.

In March 2005 The Darkness was licensed by Majesco for a console game, to be developed by Starbreeze Studios. It will be a first-person and third-person game, to be released in 2006.

Synopsis

The comic's central character is an ex-Mafia hitman named Jackie Estacado, he joined the mob at 16 and enjoyed the life of sex and violence. However, when he turned 21 he learned of his dark inheritance. With his special powers, known as the Darkness, Jackie can create anything he desires, but it will crumble to dust at dawn. If he impregnates a woman the child will inherit his gifts and he will die, this fact results in Jackie being forced to refrain from sex to his major frustration.

The series revolves around Jackie's attempts to escape the Angelus (who want to kill him), and Sonatine and his Brotherhood of The Darkness (who wish to capture him and steal his powers).

Other appearances

Jackie Estacado has appeared in storylines involving the Hulk and Batman, and is due to appear in stories involving Superman in the near future.