Review by Lucy Braithwaite
This collection brings together the comics in Marvel’s Darkhold Saga. As a defining moment in the story of Scarlet Witch, it’s well-worth a read, but it’s a lot more. Iron Man, Blade, Wasp, Black Bolt and Spider-Man form a new team and there is a great story for each of them.
I was drawn to Darkhold straight away, having thoroughly enjoyed WandaVision. As someone who favours horror comics over superheroes, picking up Marvel’s Darkhold taught me a lesson in missing out and how not to be so stupid.
A flesh-bound book created by an elder god that can drive any living creature mad? Sign me up! Well, maybe not to the actual evil book. It’s caused enough trouble down the years. Steve Orlando and Cian Tormey bring the story of a new threat from Chthon, elder god and creator of the Darkhold.
Scarlet Witch knows what must be done, but she needs the help of dark sorcerer Doom. She also summons a new team: The Darkhold Defenders. These five heroes must read from the book to enter Chthon’s dimension, but this causes them to descend into their own personal nightmares. New realities and memories are created. The story of each hero becomes a twisted one.
For Iron Man, building the suit becomes an obsession with a horrible purpose.
Blade is ruler of the vampires – who rule the world.
In Jordie Bellaire’s story, Wasp feels a resentment that builds to a terrible revenge.
Black Bolt’s whole identity is turned upon its head, when he finds himself on a surreal prison moon.
In Spider-Man’s world, the very fabric of Manhattan is unravelling in a grotesque way. Alex Paknadel’s story gives Spider-Man a particular kind of pathos – the unending task of binding buildings and even people back together.
The Darkhold Defenders have an awful challenge on their hands and threaten to turn against Scarlet Witch. But who is this new hero? Darkhold is a really engaging read with a definite feeling of teetering on the edge of madness.
Lucy Braithwaite
Lucy Braithwaite is co-owner of First Age Comics on Moor Lane, Lancaster | Find First Age on Facebook | Instagram | WhatNot
Darkhold: The Book of Evil
Contains: Darkhold Alpha (2021) #1, Darkhold: Iron Man (2021) #1, Darkhold: Blade (2021) #1, Darkhold: Wasp (2021) #1, Darkhold: Black Bolt (2021) #1, Darkhold: Spider-Man (2021) #1 and Darkhold Omega (2022) #1.
First Published: April 2022 by Panini UK Ltd / Marvel
ISBN: 978-1846533457
• Buy it from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link) | Buy it from Panini UK
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: Comics, Features, Reviews, US Comics
Five Graphic Novels To Give As Presents 
Five Weird Comic Book Crossovers That Worked 
In Review: Superman (2025) 
In Review: Thunderbolts*
Leave a Reply