Review: Darkling #1 (One Shot)

Darkling #1 (One Shot)

Illustrated by: Carola Borelli

Cover Art by: Maria Sanapo

Written by: Sarah Kuhn

Archie Comics

2023

*Minor Spoilers Ahead

From the outside, Darla Lang looks like a normal college student-save for the peculiar voluminous black cloak she wears everywhere. Her peers and professors chalk this up to Darla’s eccentric, introverted, slightly creepy persona, but Darla is a young woman with a secret… and a mission. Darla’s cloak is actually a mystical artifact that she can use as a melee weapon, trapping her enemies inside and teleporting them away. Darla’s power and connection to the supernatural world have always been a curse, and now she’s enrolled in Ivy Hollow University which harbors some dark secrets of its own. Will Darla find within its hallowed halls the answers to the questions about herself and her powers that she’s been seeking?

Sarah Kuhn, alongside the incredible artistry of Carola Borelli and Maria Sanapo’s captivating cover art, introduces readers to the enigmatic world of Darla Lang in “Darkling #1,” a gripping one-shot from Archie Comics.

At first glance, Darla Lang appears to be an ordinary college student, albeit cloaked in a mysterious, voluminous garment that sets her apart. Yet, beneath this facade lies a young woman harboring a profound secret and a compelling mission. Darla’s seemingly eccentric persona conceals her possession of a mystical artifact—a cloak that doubles as a formidable melee weapon, capable of entrapping adversaries within and teleporting them away.

Kuhn masterfully crafts a narrative that weaves Darla’s supernatural powers into a story of personal discovery and enigmatic exploration. The cloak, which serves as both a weapon and a vessel, is both a blessing and a curse to Darla, compelling her to navigate the perilous halls of Ivy Hollow University, a campus shrouded in dark secrets and mystique.

Carola Borelli’s art beautifully brings Darla’s world to life, capturing the essence of her supernatural abilities while immersing readers in the eerie and captivating atmosphere of Ivy Hollow University. Maria Sanapo’s cover art perfectly encapsulates the intrigue and mystery that awaits within the pages of this enthralling tale.

“Darkling #1” promises readers an immersive journey into a world where the supernatural meets the everyday, where secrets abound, and where Darla Lang’s quest for answers about her powers intertwines with the mysteries of Ivy Hollow University. Kuhn’s storytelling prowess, coupled with Borelli’s artistry and Sanapo’s striking cover, ensures an engaging and thrilling reading experience that leaves readers eager for more from this supernatural saga.

Beam Me Up Scotty

Old metal dude. Long time fan of pop culture. Twenty three years in the comic book business. I love anything Mego, Micronauts, Shogun Warriors and Die-Cast Metal Super Robots. I always have plenty more to say, don't get me going..