This post, ladies and gentleman, is about utter evil bent into something good. The Darkness. Not so recently, a critically acclaimed first person shooter based around this Top Cow comic phenomenon was released 6/25/07. And the sequel followed after this month, with a surprising review. With a comic book video game/ movie, questions get raised. I'm writing this article to clear some of those questions up.
The basic plot synopsis of the comic book series "The Darkness" revolves around your typical, orphaned, mafia raised, mass murdering hitman named Jackie Estacado. Orphaned at a young age, he was picked up from St. Gerard's orphanage by the Franchetti family, and trained to be a deadly hitman, nicknamed "Kill the children" Estacado. Later to find out that his training was just a pawn movement by the Omnipotent Darkness, but I'll get to that in just a second. Through his youth, he lived the life of a well paid hitman. Losing his virginity at fourteen... during an investigation... to the investigating officer, making his first successful hit at the age of sixteen, he was geared for a life of death dealing. Still nothing could prepare him for his twenty first birthday. In tradition, the Estacado family has been plagued (some would say blessed) by the power of the darkness. As mentioned on Comicshine before, DC's the Blackest Night touches on the ideology of the pre-biblical life bringing light's existence by a dark overlord of sorts called Nekron. Same idea, only the black of time is known in The Darkness, as, what do you guess, The Darkness. An omnipotent god like character, whose power is beyond that of limitations. Two limitations. (If only the Sentry had a few of those) His power can only be harnessed through a human host (go back to where the darkness organizes Jackie's Hitman training) generally manifesting at the age of twenty one, and that host can only access those powers in darkness.
His powers include, but aren't limited to, Darkness manipulation, Superhuman strength/agility/senses, Energy projection, Flight through wings of darkness, regenerative abilities, creation of objects out of the Darkness' power (Dark essence) i.e. guns and swords, and the ability (Go back to where I said God-like) to create life. He has been known to create small creatures with weapons called Darklings, a large Dragon, and Snake like creatures which can grow out of his back.
Now with his past and history of violence, the question is raised as to why he is considered a hero. Well, he fought alongside Batman in the Unholy Union series, and is convinced to use his powers for good.
Differences in the video game:
- The "snake heads" aren't generally things Jackie uses.
- His Trench coat wardrobe is a strictly origin costume. His real costume is a green, yellow, and black, dark enveloped skintight organic suit.
- He actually has wings that are created by the Darkness, and he flies quite often.
- Jackie's mafia lord in the first game, Uncle Paulie, was actually a minor character, and was his cousin.
As With a lot of dark heroes, his enemies out number his allies. His allies include people like Batman, Superman, Ghost Rider, His very own power supply, And members of the Franchetti Family mob. He has been known to have a romantic complacency with Sara Pezzini, the wielder of the Witch Blade. His enemies consist of The Angelis, who is, by all means, the antithesis of the darkness. Also known as the Light of Heaven. Has almost the exact powers of the Darkness, including the Human host. Of whom was Jackies Adopted Mother Lauren Franchetti. Other foes include a power hungry anti-darkness group known as the brotherhood, and mainly everyone in every opposing mob group.
So I hope that this brief summary has helped clear the air about a very well written character, who hasn't gotten the recognition I believe he deserves.
-Chryonasake
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