A NEW TEAM FOR THE DARKNESS

Hine and Haun take the reins of the iconic title at issue #101

Top Cow Productions and Image Comics are excited to welcome DAVID HINE (THE DARKNESS: FOUR HORSEMEN, THE BULLETPROOF COFFIN) and JEREMY HAUN (ARTIFACTS, BATTLE HYMN, Detective Comics) as the new ongoing team on THE DARKNESS, debuting with issue 101.

Hine takes the reins from long-time writer Phil Hester (Green Hornet, Wonder Woman), who has written the series since 2007, when the series relaunched following the events of FIRST BORN and the release of THE DARKNESS video game. Hine has previously written Jackie Estacado in 2010’s limited series THE DARKNESS: FOUR HORSEMEN, which garnered rave reviews. Hester concluded his run on the series with the over-sized landmark issue #100, released hot on the heels of The Darkness II video game from 2K Games and Digital Extremes.

“The Darkness is one of Image's longest running books and Jackie Estacado is one of the few truly classic characters in independent comics. That makes it a genuine honor to be entrusted with taking the book into its next phase,” explained Hine. “Issue 101 is the start of a roller coaster ride into some dark and scary places. Our intention is to mess with your heads. You have been warned..."

“It isn't often that you are invited to really put your stamp on a character," Haun added. "Top Cow has really given David and me the chance to let go and tell the next chapter of Jackie Estacado's life. We're staying true to everything that's come before in the 100-issue span of the book and adding a new twisted layer to things. I'm having the time of my life drawing each page of twisted madness. The Darkness is something we're really proud of. “

The team of Hine and Haun picks up the story of Jackie Estacado after the events of ARTIFACTS #13 and in the wake of Top Cow’s REBIRTH initiative. Joining the already-announced teams of Tim Seeley (HACK/SLASH) and Diego Bernard (The Man With No Name) on WITCHBLADE and Ron Marz (MAGDALENA, Voodoo) and Stjepan Sejic (WITCHBLADE) on the ARTIFACTS ongoing series, the two will help guide one of Top Cow’s flagship franchises into a new era perfect for long-time, lapsed, and new readers alike.

On the surface, Jackie Estacado has everything he ever wanted — control of the Darkness, a successful career, wealth and, most importantly, a happy family life. However, his desire to make his life truly perfect will be his undoing. What happens when all of it begins to slip through the cracks?

The debut issue will feature covers by Jeremy Haun and THE DARKNESS co-creator MARC SILVESTRI (Incredible Hulk).

THE DARKNESS #101 "THE CRACK IN EVERYTHING", PART 1, a 32-page full-color comic book for $2.99, will be on sale in stores and digital platforms, including THE DARKNESS app, March 21st, 2012. 

ABOUT IMAGE COMICS
Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.