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3.33 AVERAGE
3.33 AVERAGE
Made up of shorter arcs, this collection remains one of my favorites. Readers are introduced to a host of recurring characters here, including the Magdalena and Jackie’s sister Capris. We also see the return of the Angelus, Wenders, Sonatine, and Jenny. A more human, regretful side of Jackie is slowly beginning to emerge, made evident by the reappearance of Jenny in his life.
What makes these stories interesting, to me anyway, is that the stories that make Jackie who he is today are slowly being told. We see more of his past being revealed, particularly through the Cristo/Nicoletta story and the final 3-issue arc. We get to meet some of the people whose life he’s ruined, particularly Dr. Kim Fang, who still bears the emotional scars of her encounter with Jackie. Though The Darkness isn’t known for it’s depth, I would’ve liked to have seen a little more of Kim and Jackie’s resolution, instead of her being so quickly shoved aside after she’s done her medical duty.
I’d also really like to see Cristo and Nicoletta in future issues. Cristo, in particular, seems like a character worthy of a one-shot or mini-series, much the same as Butcher Joyce eventually got.
As for the art….Joe Benitez is probably my favorite artist ever to work on the series, and it was wonderful to revisit his work. Lansang is still hit and miss for me. I’ve always loved the alternate coloring on the Darkness armor that pops up a few times in this collection, where it is black and gold instead of green. It is more ominous and more related to the concept of darkness itself. I wish it had been more prevalent.
What makes these stories interesting, to me anyway, is that the stories that make Jackie who he is today are slowly being told. We see more of his past being revealed, particularly through the Cristo/Nicoletta story and the final 3-issue arc. We get to meet some of the people whose life he’s ruined, particularly Dr. Kim Fang, who still bears the emotional scars of her encounter with Jackie. Though The Darkness isn’t known for it’s depth, I would’ve liked to have seen a little more of Kim and Jackie’s resolution, instead of her being so quickly shoved aside after she’s done her medical duty.
I’d also really like to see Cristo and Nicoletta in future issues. Cristo, in particular, seems like a character worthy of a one-shot or mini-series, much the same as Butcher Joyce eventually got.
As for the art….Joe Benitez is probably my favorite artist ever to work on the series, and it was wonderful to revisit his work. Lansang is still hit and miss for me. I’ve always loved the alternate coloring on the Darkness armor that pops up a few times in this collection, where it is black and gold instead of green. It is more ominous and more related to the concept of darkness itself. I wish it had been more prevalent.