Archie Comics is continuing to dig deep into its stable of characters, bringing them back to modern audiences with new and updated twists. Late last week the publisher announced Darkling, a new one-shot for older readers starring the supernatural superhero from the ’80s. The issue is written by Sarah Kuhn, illustrated by Carola Borelli, colored by Ellie Wright, and lettered by Jack Morelli. Maria Sanapo provides the main cover for the one-shot.
Here’s how Archie describes Darkling #1:
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? Darkling mixes superheroics with dark academia from writer Sarah Kuhn (Shadow of the Batgirl, Girl Taking Over: A Lois Lane Story) and artist Carola Borelli (Spider-Woman).
Along with Sanapo’s main cover, Darkling #1 will also sport a variant cover by David Mack.
Introduced forty years ago in The Mighty Crusaders #3, Darkling has recently reappeared in a number of classic-style stories as part of Archie’s anthology titles. In a statement announcing the new one-shot, Archie Comics Senior Director of Editorial Jamie L. Rotante described the thinking behind the character’s return, and praised what Kuhn and Borelli are bringing to the story:
“Darkling’s been popping up recently in some of our classic-style titles as Riverdale’s resident goth queen—who just so happens to have powers that often put her at odds with supernatural entities and monsters. We wanted to take that energy and bring it to a new audience.’
“Sarah Kuhn’s impressive work on Shadow of the Batgirl and Girl Taking Over: A Lois Lane Story made her a perfect choice to tell the story of Darla Lang. This one-shot explores more of her life, demystifying the character who was once defined by being cloaked in shadows. And we’re excited to work once again with artist Carola Borelli, who has a wonderful grasp of character designs and setting the right mood to tell a story.”
Check out Mack’s variant cover for the one-shot below. Darkling #1 is due out in stores and digitally on Wednesday, November 22nd.
