Darkness/Wolverine #1 (one-shot)
	Story Title: 'Old Wounds' Writer: Frank Tieri Penciller: Tyler Kirkham Colorist: Stjepan Sejic Letterer: Troy Peteri Design: Chaz Riggs Published by: Image Comics & Marvel Comics
	Reviewed by: Bruce Logan

In this corner, standing at whatever height and whatever weight, and surrounded by his darkness-minions we have, ‘The Darkness’, one of the few major Image/Top Cow characters that I know very little about. Savage Dragon, Tomb Raider, Witchblade, Magdalena, Invincible, Battle Pope, and the people from Cyberforce, Hunter Killer and Noble Causes etc, depending on the character/series, my knowledge about them varies from the lower 30s to the high 80 percents. However, The Darkness (along with P.I.T.T., Fathom, Shadowhawk and City of Heroes) have me at a complete loss. Oh, I know about Jackie’s powers and that they work in the dark/night but how he got them and who he is (and more)…I have no info about.

In the other corner is Wolverine, a character whom I have been seeing and/or reading about for more than two decades. With his indestructible Adamantium laced claws (and body), Logan has been able to go up against near about anything and come out on top. After reading this special one-shot (one ‘made’ for no other aim or purpose than to garner sales and marketing for Image/Top Cow), I feel that in the end, it was the Wolverine that trounced the Darkness.

As for the actual story, it spans more than half-a-century. Starting from Wartime France (1942) to end in Present Day Brooklyn, New York, it involves two very similar (even in the art) scenes, both having just one Logan but two Darkness-es (Roberto Estacado, Jackie’s grandfather and Jackie himself). While Roberto tracks down Logan to kill him (for the Nazis), Jackie just happens to run into him by pure chance. Another common thing? The Darkness demons or specifically one of them. The demon(s) still smarting from the killer a$$-whooping that Logan gave the previous Darkness (Roberto)…despite Jackie’s objections. There is one more small fight and then a happy or rather amicable ending.

Well, that’s about it. As I said, there isn’t much character building here, just two biggies of their respective companies showing up and flexing their muscles, with the obligatory snappy writing and good art thrown in for good measure.

Conclusion: If company crossovers are your thing or if you a real big fan of either character, have at it. If not, feel free to pass. Good enough time-pass though.

RATING: 7.5/10 (Almost 8)