The Darkness #5

The Darkness #5 from Top Cow/Image brings Dale Keown's artwork front and center, with a striking cover depicting Jackie Estacado in the foreground, his long dark hair framing a battle-worn face as he clutches the razor-sharp tendrils of the Darkness armor. Looming behind him is a crowd of grotesque, snarling demonic creatures — all fangs, hollow eyes, and malevolent grins — suggesting the fearsome forces at his command or perhaps closing in around him. Paul Jenkins and Keown make for a compelling creative pairing, and this 2003 installment wears its dark supernatural identity proudly.