The Darkness #17

In "Hell House, Part 1," Jackie finds himself entangled in a dangerous web after stepping in to protect a woman named Lori in Atlantic City, drawing the ire of Mickey Vern, a subordinate of the powerful Ivan Petrovich. When Lori brings Ivan’s daughter, Alex, to Jackie’s room to thank him, the night takes a horrifying turn—Alex is found dead, and the Darkness, usually a constant presence, refuses to aid Jackie. Written by David Lapham and illustrated by Brian Denham, with colors by Matt Milla and letters by Robin Spehar and Dennis Heisler, this issue sets a tense, atmospheric stage. The cover by Dale Keown captures the uneasy mood perfectly.