Besides Marvel, DC, Dark Horse and some of the other companies we talk about a lot here, we’re also fans of the comics coming out of Top Cow. Some of their books, including the Witchblade series and The Darkness, are among our favorites. Now, the company has announced that one of our favorite writers, Robert Kirkman, and one of the best artists around, Mark Silvewstri, are teeming up to create a new project for The Pilot Season Initiative.

Here’s all the details from the official Top Cow press release. Be sure to check out the larger Silvestri concept art after the jump.

Top Cow Productions, Inc. proudly announced on July 2nd on Attack of The Show that the renowned writer Robert Kirkman (Invincible, The Walking Dead) and Marc Silvestri (Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men: Utopia, The Darkness) are teaming up to co-create five original concepts for the Pilot Season initiative in 2009. On Attack of the Show, “Fresh Ink” host Blair Butler broke the news that Robert Kirkman will write the brand new pilot issues, while Marc Silvestri will create the designs for the series and contribute the covers for each issue. Interior art teams and details of the concepts will be announced at a later date.

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Its nice when a little company does well sometimes and seems to be on the road to success. This is not a post about that company. Instead, this post is about another company, one that not only does well but creates some of the most interesting and endearing characters and stories in comics today. I’m taking, of course, about Marvel.

Marvel does pretty well with its movies and tv shows and it sells a lot of comics. Case in point is the just released Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men: Utopia crossover. It sold so well that you probably can’t even buy it anymore at your favorite store. But don’t worry, like Captain America, this comic will rise from the dead and come back for a second printing. Of course, in true comic book style, the second printing will have a variant cover.

Check out all the details from the official Marvel press release:

Marvel is pleased to announce that Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men: Utopia has sold out at Diamond (though copies may still be available at retail level) and will return with Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men: Utopia Second Printing Variant!  Eisner Award nominated scribe Matt Fraction joins X-artist supreme Marc Silvestri to deliver a shocking Dark Reign clash that rocks the Marvel Universe!

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Who is Jackie Estacado? What is The Darkness? What powers does it have? How is it connected to Jackie? All of these are questions for anyone who might find themselves picking up The Darkness Volume 2 #78 on comic store shelves later this month. With thirteen years of history to the character, one of the most intimidating things for a new reader is to dive into an established series for the first time. Unlike such iconic characters as Superman, Batman or Spider-Man, The Darkness hasn’t reached a level that everyone, comic fan or not, knows the character’s origin, or even the most important facets of it. But Top Cow is doing something to remedy this problem.

Later this month, Top Cow Productions is publishing The Darkness Origins Volume 1. The first rare six issues of the first volume of this series will be reprinted and packaged together allowing readers to relive the beginning of The Darkness.  According to Top Cow’s official info on the book:

“The Darkness Origins Volume 1 tells the story of how mafia hitman Jackie Estacado was blessed and cursed on his 21st birthday when he inherited the power of The Darkness. Readers will learn how the elemental force of The Darkness gives Estacado access to an otherworldly dimension and control over the demons who dwell there. This volume collects the origin of Estacado as the current bearer of The Darkness, and introduces classic characters such as the Angelus, Butcher, and Sonatine.”

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