Media Release -- Top Cow Productions, Inc. proudly announced today that the long sold out first six issues of the first volume of The Darkness will be re-released as The Darkness Origins Volume 1. Scheduled to be in stores June 2009, the new rebranding is presented as part of the publisher’s “Origins” trade paperback line reprinting of classic Top Cow Universe stories that includes the recently released Witchblade Origins Volumes 1 and 2.
For fans new to Top Cow’s publications, The Darkness Origins Volume 1 tells the story of how mafia hitman Jackie Estacado was blessed and cursed on his 21st birthday when he inherited the power of The Darkness. Readers will learn how the elemental force of The Darkness gives Estacado access to an otherworldly dimension and control over the demons who dwell there. This volume collects the origin of Estacado as the current bearer of The Darkness, and introduces classic characters such as the Angelus, Butcher, and Sonatine.
Showcasing the original creative team of writer Garth Ennis (Punisher, Preacher) and Top Cow founder and CEO Marc Silvestri (Dark Avengers/X-men: Utopia) makes The Darkness Origins Volume 1 the perfect introduction to one of the most compelling characters of the Top Cow universe. The 160-page volume will also feature a cover gallery of the original issues #1–6 as well as behind the scenes material.
“We launched the Origins line with Witchblade and it’s proven to be very popular. It allows us to showcase the classic tales that established the Top Cow Universe, but also spotlight the more modern tales in our other lines like Darkness Accursed,” explained Publisher Filip Sablik.
About Top Cow Productions Inc.
Top Cow Productions, Inc. (www.topcow.com), a Los Angeles-based entertainment company, was founded in December of 1992 by artist Marc Silvestri, who also co-founded Image Comics earlier that same year. Top Cow currently publishes its line of comic books in 21 languages in over 55 different countries. The company has launched 20 franchises (18 original and two licensed) in the industry’s Top 10, seven at #1, a feat accomplished by no other publisher in the last two decades. Its flagship franchise, WITCHBLADE, was TNT’s #1 original film of 2000 and the subsequent TV series was released on DVD on July 29, 2008. A feature film, co-produced by Platinum Studios, Inc. and Arclight Films, is slated to begin production in Australia with director Michael Rymer. WITCHBLADE is also the first American property to be fully adapted in Japan as an original anime and manga by Studio GONZO in 2006. Top Cow’s other flagship property, THE DARKNESS, was developed into a major next-generation video game release by Starbreeze and 2K Games and achieved platinum sales status. WANTED, an Eisner-nominated miniseries published by Top Cow from 2003-2005, is now a major motion picture from Universal Pictures starring Angelina Jolie, James McAvoy and Morgan Freeman. Virtually all of Top Cow’s other properties are in development as feature films, live-action television, animation or video games. Top Cow has also successfully licensed and merchandised its franchises into toys, statues, clothing, lithographs, puppets, posters, magnets, shot glasses, lighters, lunch pails, wall scrolls, mouse pads, die-cast cars, calendars, Christmas ornaments, Halloween masks, trading cards, standees, video games and roleplaying games.
