The Darkness is an American comic book series published by Top Cow Productions. The series was created by Marc Silvestri, Garth Ennis, and David Wohl. The Darkness is the story of Mafia hitman Jackie Estacado who on his 21st birthday became the bearer of the Darkness, an elemental force that allows access to an otherworldly dimension and control over the demons who dwell there. The Darkness is an ageless power dating back beyond human history. The Darkness is one of the two primal forces of the Universe and is the equal and opposite of the Angelus. The Darkness and the Angelus have been at war since the Creation, before which the Darkness was the original void of primordial chaos. To avert mutual destruction, the Darkness and the Angelus forged a truce through consummation and became the parents of the Witchblade as a result. Since then, the Darkness has always taken a male human host. Usually passed from father to son, leaving the previous host, and taking his life, as the child is conceived. The Darkness' powers remain dormant within the host until they awaken on the host's 21st birthday.