DARKNESS/DARKCHYLDE: KINGDOM OF PAIN

Writer/Artist:  Randy Queen

Colorist:   Sarah Queen

Warning:  Contains Spoilers

Awestruck.   That’s what I am.  I’ve just finished reading The Darkness & Darkchylde:  Kingdom of Pain and I’m awestruck.  Awestruck by the writing.  Awestruck by the art.  Awestruck by the coloring.  Awestruck.

Randy Queen – where have you been since you finished the last issue of Darkchylde?! The comics industry needs your writing, your artistry, your innovation.  Don’t ever go away again for so long.

Now we finally know what happened to Ariel Chylde after the last issue of Darkchylde: Redemption.  As seen on the last page of the last issue of Darkchylde:  Redemption, Kauldron was preparing to attack Ariel.  Apparently he did attack and Ariel was left for dead.  She has been unconscious in a coma unit of a small hospital for the past seven years.  In Kingdom of Pain we see that in response to a new danger, a small part of Ariel’s consciousness awakens and in her dream calls out for help to Witchblade.  Instead, she mistakenly contacts The Darkness who responds to her call for help and frees her from her coma just in time to face the danger.

Queen’s writing never fails to entertain.  At times it soars – reading like poetry:  As the roses cast off icy prisons and petals take to wind like once shackled spirits sailing into sky.    At other times it’s gritty:  I’d probably get along with this crazy bitch if she wasn’t trying to kill us.  At all times it captivates interest.

Queen’s art is nothing short of magnificent.  He is a master at rendition of the female form in all its magnificent beauty and hyper-sexualized glory.  Equally and oppositely, he is able to render in incredible detail the hoary demonic hosts of Ariel’s nightmare realm.  Sarah Queen’s coloring is jaw-droppingly gorgeous – solidifying Randy’s place in the top tiers of comics artistry.  Comics art and coloring literally don’t get any better than that seen in Kingdom of Pain.

If the return of Darkchylde wasn’t enough, Randy Queen treats us to a sneak preview of his newest creation, Starfall, due to premiere soon as a limited series.  I was mesmerized by the art and intrigued by the storyline.  I can’t wait for Starfall to premiere.

Combining magnificently written and rendered cosmically influenced horror with a healthy side order of T&A; Kingdom of Pain is well worth your time and money.  I hope it sells well enough to inspire Queen to resurrect Darkchylde for additional adventures.  Rating:  5 Stars.

Article by:  Bill Meneese