The Quarter Bin

Jackie Estacado faces another ancient power in The Darkness #80. Take a journey to the bayou in our review.

The Darkness #80
“Bog” Part 1 (of 2)
Writer: Phil Hester
Artist: Phil Hester
Cover: Phil Hester

This issue of The Darkness was a change of scenery for our favorite mobster/bearer of ancient curse. Jackie and some of his newly acquired crew travel south to Port Gillespie. There, Jackie can’t fight the urge to rescue another damsel in distress–only she’s already protected by another cursed being, and the swamp is his territory.

This being is the Bog, a swamp-dwelling creature partially inspired by the fabled Honey Island Swamp Monster. Jackie is interested in acquiring the Bog’s land, and he’s not the only one–a greedy oil company controlled by Estacado’s current nemesis, the Sovereign, is also pursuing the area. However, the Bog doesn’t care about any of that; he just wants to protect his territory, which includes local tour guide Candace, who had a terrifying encounter with the swamp creature years before.

Much of the narrative for The Darkness #80 is told from the perspective of the Bog itself, which is a nice change of pace. It also makes it (him?) seem like more than just another indistinct monster. As Bog himself puts it, “He is like me… His power would best mine, anywhere but here…” Bog seems to draw strength from the murky swamplands, meaning that Jackie may actually have a worthy adversary.

Next month, we get the conclusion to this two-issue story arc, and I’m curious about what the Bog’s position will be once more of Jackie’s foes descend upon the swamp. Will they be forced to work together against the greater adversary, or will the Bog indiscriminantly try to eliminate anyone who threatens his land? We’ll find out in The Darkness #81.