Highlights
- Dark fantasy combines fantastical themes with elements of horror, like vampires and blood-thirsty creatures, as seen in DC’s successful comic runs.
- While not known for dark fantasy, DC has produced hits like Sword of Sorcery, Demon Knights, and The Witching Hour, with average critic ratings.
- John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America received an impressive critic rating of 9.5, making it one of DC’s top-rated dark fantasy comics.
As a seasoned comic book enthusiast who’s been following DC’s dark fantasy genre for decades, I must say that both “The Swamp Thing (2021)” and “John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead In America (2024)” are nothing short of remarkable.
As a devoted fan, I must admit that DC Comics isn’t typically associated with dark fantasy storylines. However, it’s essential to note that despite not being the originator of legendary dark fantasy comics such as Boom Studio’s BRZRKR or Dark Horse’s Bloodborne, DC has dipped its toes into this genre, giving us unforgettable characters like Swamp Thing and John Constantine, aka Hellblazer.
Dark fantasy is a type of literature that blends magical and mythical elements with frightening or terrifying themes. For instance, while a unicorn might be considered a typical fantasy creature, a vampire would more accurately fit under ‘dark fantasy’, due to their well-known thirst for blood. Classic examples of dark fantasy can be found in Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire series and Stephen King’s Dark Tower books. Although DC primarily produces non-dark fantasy comic books, they have had successful runs within this genre, some even becoming among their best-selling series.
10 Sword Of Sorcery (2012)
Average Critic Ranking: 7.5
- Release Date: August 28, 2013
- Creators: Christy Marx, Aaron Lopresti
- Featured Characters: Princess Amethyst, Beowulf, Stalker
First published by DC Comics in 1973, the Sword of Sorcery initially emerged as a collection of medieval tales starring Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser – a pair of swashbuckling heroes skilled in both swordplay and sorcery. These characters served as counterparts to well-known figures like Conan the Barbarian and Tarzan. However, the series ended prematurely after just five issues due to insufficient sales.
In 2012, the series known as “Sword of Sorcery” was reintroduced with the debut of Volume 2. This new phase started during DC’s ‘The New 52’ initiative and prominently showcased Amethyst, the Princess of Gemworld, along with iconic dark fantasy figures such as Beowulf, the legendary sword-bearing hero. It was in “Sword of Sorcery Vol. 2” that the series really came to life, receiving an average rating of 7.5 from ComicBookRoundup.com.
9 Demon Knights (2011)
Average Critic Ranking: 7.8
- Release Date: September 14, 2011
- Creators: Paul Cornell, Oclair Albert
- Featured Characters: Pandora, Vandal Savage
In a different reality of DC, the storyline of “Demon Knights” unfolds, taking us back to the Dark Ages. Our protagonists, Jason Blood and Madame Xanadu, find themselves in a mission to protect humanity from an approaching barbarian army led by the demon Etrigan. Along their adventure, they gather allies for their cause, among them being heroes such as Shining Knight.
As a dedicated gamer, I’ve been thoroughly enjoying the three-part, 24-issue comic series that’s garnered an impressive average critic score of 7.8. Among all volumes, it’s Demon Knights Vol. 2 that stands out for me, scoring a commendable 8.2 out of 10.
8 The Witching Hour (2013)
Average Critic Ranking: 8.0
- Release Date: October 2, 2013
- Creators: Cliff Chiang
- Featured Characters: Dead Boy Detectives
First published in 1969, The Witching Hour continued its run for nearly a decade before it eventually ended in 1978. However, much to the delight of horror enthusiasts, this series was brought back to life by DC Comics in 2013 under their Vertigo label, a division created in 1993 to publish mature content with themes such as sex, drugs, and graphic violence.
In a single compilation titled “The Witching Hour,” nine spine-tingling tales of supernatural terror were woven together, with beloved characters like the Dead Boy Detectives making an appearance. Although it was only released as a standalone comic, it was warmly received and garnered an 8.0 average rating from ComicBookRoundup.com.
7 The Sandman (1988)
Average Critic Ranking: 8.0
- Release Date: November 29, 1988
- Creators: Neil Gaiman, Sam Kieth
- Featured Characters: Dream (Morpheus)
It’s not unexpected that The Sandman, a highly successful comic written by Neil Gaiman, ranks among DC Comics’ highest-grossing titles, particularly within their limited dark fantasy offerings. First published in 1989, the series ran consistently until it moved to DC’s Vertigo imprint in 1993. The initial run continued until 1996; however, spin-offs like The Sandman: Dream Hunters and The Sandman: Overture appeared in 1998 and 2013 respectively.
As a longtime fan of graphic novels and someone who has spent countless hours poring over intricate storylines and mesmerizing illustrations, I can confidently say that “The Sandman” stands out as one of the most captivating and thought-provoking series I’ve ever encountered. With its unique blend of fantasy, mythology, and horror, Neil Gaiman has crafted a masterpiece that seamlessly weaves together diverse elements to create a rich, immersive world that draws readers in and leaves them eager for more.
6 DC Vs. Vampires (2021)
Average Critic Ranking: 8.1
- Release Date: October 26, 2021
- Creators: Matthew Rosenberg, Otto Schmidt
- Featured Characters: Batman, Green Arrow
In 2021, the story of “DC versus Vampires” was launched under DC’s Elseworlds line, a section dedicated to tales that unfold in alternate realities, separate from the mainline DC Universe. Here on Earth 63, a vampire invasion has plagued society, forcing humanity to rely on its heroes such as Batman, Green Arrow, Batgirl, and Supergirl for salvation. The villainous Nightwing leads an army of vampires in Gotham City, making the situation both brutal and absurd. Since its debut, “DC versus Vampires” has been a shining example of the Elseworlds Imprint’s unique offerings.
The comic book series carried on in 2022, with acclaimed comic writers James Tynion IV and Matthew Rosenberg teaming up to write “DC vs. Vampires: All-Out War.” This black-and-white comic added more characters to the vampire universe, such as John Constantine, Deathstroke, and Mary Marvel. Although “All-Out War” didn’t receive rave reviews from critics or fans, it boasted an impressive 8.1 average critic rating on ComicBookRoundup.com for its initial run.
5 The Last God (2019)
Average Critic Ranking: 8.2
- Release Date: October 30, 2019
- Creators: Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Riccardo Federici
- Featured Characters: Mol Kalakto, Ang Luthia, Mol Uhltep
One of DC Comics’ more recent releases, titled “The Last God“, hit the shelves in 2019, penned by esteemed comic book writer Philip Kennedy Johnson who is also known for his work on series like Superman, The Incredible Hulk, Green Lantern: War Journal, and Alien. The Last God Book One marked the beginning of Johnson’s epic dark fantasy saga, “The Fellspyre Chronicles“. In this captivating series, two groups of heroes wage a battle against a common enemy, but there is a 30-year time gap between their parallel journeys as they strive to eliminate Mol Uhltep, the world’s final living deity, forever.
Although it was a fresh endeavor for DC, the comics series garnered outstanding reviews from readers, as per ComicBookRoundup, boasting an average critic score of 8.2. The concluding issue in the comic’s inaugural volume turned out to be a massive hit, with that particular issue receiving a remarkable critic rating of 9.3.
4 Justice League Dark (2018)
Average Critic Ranking: 8.5
- Release Date: July 25, 2018
- Creators: James Tynion IV, Álvaro Martínez Bueno
- Featured Characters: Wonder Woman, Doctor Fate, John Constantine
In 2011, I got my hands on Justice League Dark – a thrilling comic book series that was part of DC’s ‘The New 52’ reboot. This team-up consisted of legendary characters like Wonder Woman, John Constantine, and Doctor Fate. We joined forces to combat an array of supernatural and mystical perils that were beyond the reach of the regular Justice League.
The first volume of “Justice League Dark,” which started in 2011 and ended in 2015, was followed by another volume from 2018 to 2020. This series featured an expanded roster of supernatural heroes like Man-Bat, Swamp Thing, and Detective Chimp. Although “Justice League Dark” no longer has its own comic series, the team, headed by Wonder Woman, continues to appear in regular issues of “Justice League.” The first volume of “Justice League Dark” received a 7.6 average rating from critics, but it was the second volume that truly solidified its reputation as one of DC’s top dark fantasy comics with an impressive 8.5 rating.
3 Dark Knights Of Steel (2021)
Average Critic Ranking: 8.7
- Release Date: November 2, 2021
- Creators: Tom Taylor, Yasmin Putri
- Featured Characters: Bruce Wayne, Kal-El, Harley Quinn
In 2021, the creative duo Tom Taylor and Yasmin Putri unveiled “Dark Knights of Steel,” a fresh take within DC’s Elseworlds Imprint that transformed the DC Universe into a realm dominated by swords and magic. This captivating 12-issue limited series begins with Jar-El and Lara, who arrive on Earth following Krypton’s destruction, and soon after, their son, Kal-El, is born.
19 years later, I find myself as Bruce, a knight in the realm of El, who bears a striking resemblance to Batman. Alongside me is Kal-El, now a prince, and we’re embarking on a quest for the mythical banshee. Little did we know that this adventure would unleash a chain reaction of events leading to a chilling demon uprising. The blend of medieval storytelling with DC legends like Batman and Superman has resonated strongly with both fans and critics, earning an impressive 8.7 average rating from ComicBookRoundup.com.
2 The Swamp Thing (2021)
Average Critic Ranking: 8.9
- Release Date: March 2, 2021
- Creators: Ram V, Mike Perkins
- Featured Characters: Swamp Thing (Levi Kamei)
The Swamp Thing, ranked 28th on IGN’s list of top 100 comic book heroes, has been a regular in DC’s roster of supernatural characters since its debut in comics in 1972. Although the character was initially introduced in House of Secrets #72 in 1971, it wasn’t until the following year that Swamp Thing received its own series, spanning six volumes from 1972 to 2016. Notably, issues from the comic’s second volume were penned by Alan Moore, the creator of Watchmen, who won multiple Jack Kirby Awards for ‘Best Writer’ due to his work on the series.
In 2021, the character made a reappearance as “The Swamp Thing” when the series was revamped. This new installment, written by award-winning author Ram V, focuses on a fresh Swamp Thing named Levi Kamei who undergoes the transformation into the powerful entity during a trip to India with his family. Despite the original “Swamp Thing” series being popular, the 2021 version has garnered one of DC’s top ratings for dark fantasy comics, averaging a critic rating of 8.9.
1 John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead In America (2024)
Average Critic Ranking: 9.5
- Release Date: January 16, 2024
- Creators: Simon Spurrier, Aaron Campbell
- Featured Characters: John Constantine, Swamp Thing
The newest addition to the ongoing saga of John Constantine, a shrewd English sorcerer with roots in Swamp Thing #37, is titled “John Constantine: Hellblazer – Dead in America”. Originally introduced as a supporting character in comics, he starred in his own series called “Hellblazer” beginning in 1988. This series was one of the initial titles to be reissued under DC’s Vertigo imprint when it debuted in 1993 and remained their longest-running title until the imprint ended in 2020. In 2019, “Hellblazer” was renamed “Constantine”, with the main character rejoining the broader Sandman universe under DC’s new Black Label imprint.
In the year 2024, the DC dark fantasy comic titled “John Constantine, Hellblazer: Dead in America” garnered the highest critical acclaim among all such comics with a remarkable score of 9.5. Notably, some one-shot Constantine comics even received a perfect score of 10 out of 10 from critics, like the 2005 graphic novel, “Hellblazer: All His Engines“.
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2024-08-10 07:04