Meeting takes place in National Museum. White Bulls and Japanese have a firefight while Witchblade and Darkness battle. Ian Nottingham steps in and does something unexpected.

All sides come together in one place. Sonatine convinces Ian Nottingham to aid him.

On his 21st birthday, mafia hitman Jackie Estacado is both blessed and cursed when he becomes the latest bearer of The Darkness, an ancient force that allows its bearer access to an otherworldly dimension and the demons who dwell there. Forces for good in the world rise up to face Jackie and the evil his gift represents, but there is one small problem. In this story... they are the bad guys.

"Playing God"
On his 21st birthday, mafia hitman Jackie Estacado is both blessed and cursed when he becomes the latest bearer of The Darkness, an ancient force that allows its bearer access to an otherworldly dimension and the demons who dwell there. Forces for good in the world rise up to face Jackie and the evil his gift represents, but there is one small problem. In this story... they are the bad guys.

Collects The Darkness #7-10 as well as Witchblade #18-19. Go back to the beginning and see 21-year-old mob hitman Jackie Estacado struggle with the power and the burden of The Darkness. Also collected in this edition is the first crossover between The Darkness and Witchblade in the fan favorite 'Family Ties' storyline. Featuring art by Top Cow founder Marc Silvestri and superstar Joe Benitez (Soulfire, Titans).

Go back to the beginning and rediscover what made The Darkness one of the most talked about titles of the last 10 years! Jackie Estacado, mafia hitman, blessed and cursed on his 21st birthday with the ancient power of The Darkness. Only as Estacado begins to gain control over the power of his newfound power, a new enemy emerges in the form of -- The Magdalena! The Catholic Church sees Estacado as an abomination and sends their holy demon hunter to eliminate his line from the Earth. Collects The Darkness Volume 1 #11-18, including the introduction of the Magdalena in the Top Cow Universe, along with a cover gallery.