The Darkness: Close your eyes is a stellar one-shot that I couldn’t stop reading; even readers who are just tipping their toes into the Darkness universe, like me, can appreciate the franchise.
The novel is dark and gritty, but this is the quintessential nature of the Darkness that readers love. It can get so grim at times, that I would not recommend it for younger readers.
The story follows Adelmo Estacado, an ancestor of Jackie, who is about to reach the magical age of twenty one. Adelmo faces hardship in many walks of his life, and the only comfort in his life is Emma. He is also antagonized by his stepfather, who put his mother in her vegetative state. The journey of Adelmo is fascinating to read; his repetition that he is not his father seems ironic, considering the Darkness inhabits in him also.
Alex Kot enthralls us with a well written story, that extends the mythos of the Darkness. The story is sufficient for a one shot, but does seem narrow and minute. If the only fault of a story is that it isn’t longer, then the writer has indeed succeeded. The dour tone that he maintains is consistent throughout the story, which captivates readers.
Marek Oleksicki’s art captures the Darkness on some pages, but on others, the art doesn’t have the same effect. The art is mostly rife with shadows and hues of dark colors. In some panels, the art appears blocky and filled with unnecessary pencil strokes.
Overall, the story’s tone is pivotal to creating such an amazing, albeit depressing story. The inconsistent art hurts it, but it is balanced by the other strong suits of the story.The Darkness: Close your eyes is a purchase that is worth it.
