The Darkness/The Incredible Hulk

    (Image, 2004)
™ and © 2004 Top Cow Productions, Inc. and Marvel Characters, Inc.

Inter–company crossovers went from being occasional, really cool events (Superman vs. The Amazing Spider-Man, for example) to a glut of almost weekly, unremarkable “events.” The excess seems to have died down, with minor characters no longer showing up on each other’s doorsteps three times a month. (Of course, a project such as JLA/Avengers can still generate big buzz.)

The Darkness may be a big fish in Top Cow’s pond, but it’s nowhere in The Hulk’s league. Hitman Jackie Estacado is the undisputed star of this one-shot, and Bruce Banner is little more than his catspaw.

There are a few other disappointments. The entire story is an impromptu brief encounter. When it’s supposed to occur in The Hulk’s chronology is dubious. And the cover needs a big disclaimer: “This scene does not appear in this issue.” (Great art, though.)

It’s by no means the worst inter-company pairing we’ve seen, but it definitely goes in the “B” pile with Magdalena/Vampirella and Femforce/Emma Davenport, rather than in the “A” list with DC vs. Marvel. (Your comic stacks may vary.)

— Jack Abramowitz
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The Darkness/The Incredible Hulk #1

July, 2004
Cover Price: $2.99
3 copies available from $5.10 		Paul JenkinsDale Keown
The Darkness/The Incredible Hulk #1 Variation B

July, 2004
Cover Price: $2.99
3 copies available from $9.00 		Paul JenkinsDale Keown