Broken Frontier

Top Cow Productions, Inc. proudly announced today that the long sold out first six issues of the first volume of The Darkness will be re-released as The Darkness Origins Volume 1.  Scheduled to be in stores June 2009, the new rebranding is presented as part of the publisher’s “Origins” trade paperback line reprinting of classic Top Cow Universe stories that includes the recently released Witchblade Origins Volumes 1 and 2.

    For fans new to Top Cow’s publications, The Darkness Origins Volume 1 tells the story of how mafia hitman Jackie Estacado was blessed and cursed on his 21st birthday when he inherited the power of The Darkness.  Readers will learn how the elemental force of The Darkness gives Estacado access to an otherworldly dimension and control over the demons who dwell there. This volume collects the origin of Estacado as the current bearer of The Darkness, and introduces classic characters such as the Angelus, Butcher, and Sonatine.

Showcasing the original creative team of writer Garth Ennis (Punisher, Preacher) and Top Cow founder and CEO Marc Silvestri (Dark Avengers/X-men: Utopia) makes The Darkness Origins Volume 1 the perfect introduction to one of the most compelling characters of the Top Cow universe.  The 160-page volume will also feature a cover gallery of the original issues #1–6 as well as behind the scenes material.

    “We launched the Origins line with Witchblade and it’s proven to be very popular. It allows us to showcase the classic tales that established the Top Cow Universe, but also spotlight the more modern tales in our other lines like Darkness Accursed,” explained Publisher Filip Sablik.