"Dark Regards: A Comic's Outrageous Origin Story"

Dark Regards is arguably the most captivating new indie comic to hit the shelves in recent memory. With a backstory as wild and entertaining as the comic itself, it's a must-read. Dive into our exclusive preview of Dark Regards #1 and decide for yourself.

Browse through the slideshow gallery below for an exclusive sneak peek at the series, but be warned—explicit language awaits!

Oni Press' Dark Regards #1: Preview Gallery

13 ImagesDark Regards is a creative venture by the multifaceted Dave Hill, known for his work in comedy, writing, and music, and the talented artist Artyom Topilin, acclaimed for his work on Cruel Universe and I Hate This Place. This four-issue series draws inspiration from Hill's own adventure in forming a fictional Satanic metal band, Witch Taint, and the ensuing whirlwind of chaos.

Here's how Oni Press describes the series:

Two decades ago, Dave Hill and his first band attempted to rock their high school auditorium with a blast of heavy metal hellfire. The attempt was less than successful. Fast forward to today, and Dave has carved out a new niche for himself in New York's comedy scene, where being laughed at is part of the job, not just an unfortunate side effect. However, the allure of metal reignites when Dave gets caught up in the intense world of Norwegian black metal. He invents a ludicrous alter ego and forms a band that fans the flames of his long-forgotten rock 'n roll dreams. But when tales of Witch Taint—a band supposedly so extreme that sharp objects must be cleared from the vicinity—spread across the internet and reach Europe, the narrative spirals out of control. Norway's most extreme black metal enthusiasts set their sights on revenge, threatening everything Dave holds dear.

In a statement, Hill shared, “A few years back, fueled by an obsession with Norwegian black metal and wearing nothing but my underwear, I sent a provocative email to a Norwegian black metal record label. I claimed their bands were terrible without ever listening to them and pitched my non-existent, ultra-extreme black metal band, Witch Taint. This led to months of unexpected correspondence that spiraled out of control online. Now, beyond my wildest imagination, this story has transformed into my first comic book series, Dark Regards, beautifully illustrated by Artyom Topilin. Missing out on any issue would be sheer madness.”

For more thrilling comic book previews, take a look at the concluding issue of TMNT: The Last Ronin II and the Batman-inspired Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell.