LOS ANGELES 09/17/2025 — The iconic, long-running The Darkness series will return this December with in an all-new ongoing series from original co-creator, and Image Comics CEO Marc Silvestri (Cyber Force, Batman and the Joker: The Deadly Duo) and published by Image Comics/Top Cow Productions. Featuring artwork by celebrated artist Ed Benes (Birds of Prey, Justice League of America), The Darkness (2025) #1 will usher in a new era for the genre-defining Top Cow Universe anti-hero and Witchblade regular, Jackie Estacado.
This new series marks Silvestri’s long-awaited return to the franchise he co-created in 1996, promising a thrilling expansion of The Darkness mythology with fresh twists to surprise even its most devoted fans.
“The Darkness has always been one of my favorite characters, and I’ve wanted to come back to it for a long time,” said Silvestri. “Fans have been asking for years when Jackie would return, and now we get to deliver something truly special. This is going to feel familiar, but it’s going to take you places you’ve never been before.”
The Darkness (2025) #1 will feature pencils by Benes with inks from Matt “Batt!” Banning, Sal Regla, and John Livesay, colors by Arif Prianto, and letters by Troy Peteri.
It will also launch with an eye-popping lineup of variant covers from Silvestri, Benes, and acclaimed artist David Mack, along with blank sketch options, high-ratio incentives, and ultra-rare signed and original art editions for collectors.
Fan-favorite Raymond Gay (Gunslinger Spawn, TMNT) will take up Benes’ mantle on interior pencils for The Darkness (2025) #2.
Originally launched nearly three decades ago, The Darkness quickly became one of Top Cow’s most popular properties, spawning spin-off series, crossovers, and two acclaimed video game adaptations. The title built a loyal following among fans of supernatural thrillers and morally complex anti-heroes, standing alongside genre heavyweights. The new series aims to capture that same energy while pushing its narrative into even darker, more unpredictable territory.
Silvestri added: “This isn’t just a nostalgia trip—it’s a reinvention. We’re going back to what made The Darkness such a hit: its grit, its danger, its sense that power always comes with a price. But this time, we’re turning everything up to eleven. Jackie’s world is going to expand in ways readers never expected."
The story once again follows Jackie Estacado, a mafia hitman who inherits a terrifying gift on his 21st birthday: an elemental force known as The Darkness, which grants him dominion over creatures from another realm. As supernatural forces wage war over reality itself, Jackie must navigate a brutal conflict where good and evil are anything but clear.
Whether readers have followed Jackie Estacado from the beginning or are entering the shadows for the first time, there’s never been a better moment to embrace The Darkness.
The Darkness (2025) #1 will be available at comic book shops on Wednesday, December 10:
Cover A by Silvestri & Prianto
Cover B by Benes & Prianto
Cover C by Mack
Cover D Sketch Cover
Cover E 1:10 copy incentive by Benes & Prianto
Cover F 1:25 copy incentive by Mack
Cover G 1:50 copy incentive by Silvestri & Prianto
Cover H 1:100 copy incentive by Benes
Cover I 1:250 copy incentive B&W virgin Silvestri
Cover J 1:500 copy incentive B&W signed virgin Silvestri
Cover K 1:1,000 copy incentive Silvestri original art sketch
Arriving: December 10, 2025
Lunar Code: 1025IM0237
Age Rating: M
Page Count: 48
Cover price: $4.99In a world consumed by shadows…one man becomes The Darkness. Jackie Estacado is back! Thrust into a supernatural war between the dark and the light in a no-holds-barred adventure where the edge of our reality grinds against supernatural forces grappling for control over each other and the waking world.
Mafia Hitman Jackie Estacado was both blessed and cursed on his 21st birthday when he became the bearer of The Darkness, an elemental force that allows those who wield it access to an otherworldly dimension and control over the demons who dwell there. Forces in the world rise up to face Jackie and the evil his gift represents. There is one small problem in this story…evil is good.
From co-creator Marc Silvestri (The Darkness, Cyber Force, Batman and the Joker: The Deadly Duo) with the universe-shattering first issue art by Ed Benes (Birds of Prey, Superman, Justice League of America), followed in issue #2 with ongoing series artist Raymond Gay (Gunsligner Spawn, Bloodletter, TMNT, Medieval Spawn), comes an explosive new era of The Darkness!
Writer
Marc Silvestri
Artists
Ed Benes, John Livesay, Matt Banning, Arif Prianto, Sal Regla
Arriving: January 21, 2026
Lunar Code: 1125IM0271
Age Rating: M
Page Count: 32
Cover price: $3.99The brutal conflict between the Franchettis and the Russians escalates into a full-on gang war, as Jackie Estacado struggles to make sense of his inheritance—the chaotic power known as the Darkness! But Kalashnikov-toting gangsters are the least of Jackie’s worries. The Angelus has set her sights on him, and her warriors will stop at nothing to destroy the Darkness once and for all…
Writer
Marc Silvestri
Artists
Raymond Gay, Arif Prianto
Cover A
Raymond Gay, Gibran Ferdian
Cover B
Jason Shawn Alexander
Cover C
Jason Shawn Alexander
Bon, bon…
C’est pas folichon, je dois dire. Y a un peu de graveleux (juste ce qu’il fait) pour ce bon baiseur de Jackie. C’est relié au relaunch de Witchblade par Madame Bennett sur quelques cases.
Ben perso, j’aurais bien laissé Madame Bennett sur Darkness pour établir un bon lien et créer une cohérence entre les deux titres.
je ne suis pas rassuré! (après, je m’en fous dans l’absolu). 
Arriving: February 18, 2026
Lunar Code: 1225IM0314
Age Rating: M
Page Count: 32
Cover price: $3.99Now that he understands the nature and power of the Darkness, Jackie Estacado only has one thing on his mind: revenge. And while there’s little the Russian mob can do to stop the blood and destruction that’s coming, there are other powers in the world, and Jackie may have overstepped his bounds. Plus, meet Jenny’s new bodyguards—the Brotherhood of the Darkness!
Writer
Marc Silvestri
Artists
Raymond Gay, Arif Prianto
Arriving: March 18, 2026
Lunar Code: 0126IM0340
Age Rating: M
Page Count: 32
Cover price: $3.99Jackie conceals a shocking secret from Jenny, as he’s forced to confront the full depths of the Brotherhood’s depravity. But who else could he turn to, with traitors and enemies surrounding him on all sides? What chance would he stand against the Angelus’ full wrath—and her fearsome “Wolves of War”—without Sonatine’s protection?
Writer
Marc Silvestri
Artists
Agustin Padilla, Raymond Gay, Arif Prianto
Cover A
Raymond Gay, Arif Prianto
Cover B
Bruno Abdias
Cover C
Bruno Abdias
Cover D
Ed Benes
THE DARKNESS #5
Series: The Darkness
Read the First Issue of The Darkness Online
Arriving: May 20, 2026
Lunar Code: 0326IM0289
Age Rating: M
Page Count: 32Buy
Cover price: $3.99
More secrets. More betrayals. While Jackie reveals his power to a trusted friend, another prepares to stab him in the back. But it’s not all bad news for the Franchetti crime family! With a little help from his murderous Darklings, Jackie begins to turn the tide against the Russian mob—and just in time, too. His Uncle Frankie is out of his coma, and seeing visitors… Plus, celebrating springtime, collect the pair of CAMILLA D’ERRICO variants for WITCHBLADE and THE DARKNESS!
THE DARKNESS #6
Series: The Darkness
Read the First Issue of The Darkness Online
Arriving: July 15, 2026
Lunar Code: 0426IM0331
Age Rating: M
Page Count: 32Buy
Cover price: $3.99
JACKIE lashes out in violent rebellion against the Brotherhood, tactically eliminating SONATINE’s most powerful lieutenants. But ridding the world of corrupt human monsters is a bloody business, and what JACKIE sees as justice may only be leading him down a darker path. A terrible truth comes to light…and SONATINE finally makes his move.
Collects the pair of VALERIO GIANGIORDANO variants available this month for WITCHBLADE and THE DARKNESS!