Dark Regards Is a Comic With a Truly Ludicrous Back-Story

Dark Regards is arguably the most captivating new indie comic to emerge in recent times. Its backstory is as wild and unpredictable as the comic itself. Judge for yourself with this exclusive preview of Dark Regards #1.

Explore the slideshow gallery below for an exclusive look inside the new series. Fair warning: some NSFW language is present.

Oni Press' Dark Regards #1: Preview Gallery

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Dark Regards is the brainchild of comedian/writer/musician Dave Hill and artist Artyom Topilin (Cruel Universe, I Hate This Place). This four-issue series draws inspiration from Hill's own experiences forming a fictional Satanic metal band, Witch Taint, and the ensuing chaotic whirlwind.

Here's Oni Press' official synopsis:

Two decades ago, Dave Hill and his first band attempted to rock their high school auditorium in a blaze of heavy metal glory. They failed spectacularly. Years later, Dave has carved a successful niche for himself in the New York comedy scene—a career where onstage laughter is the goal, not a tragic byproduct. But when his metal aspirations are rekindled by the intensely serious world of Norwegian black metal, Dave creates a ridiculously over-the-top alter ego and a band to match, reigniting his dormant rock 'n' roll dreams. However, when internet rumors of Witch Taint—a metal band "so extreme that you must remove all sharp objects from the immediate area" when their music plays—reach Europe, his story takes a dangerous turn as Norway's most extreme black metal musicians seek revenge, threatening everything and everyone dear to Dave.

Hill himself explains:

A few years back, I impulsively emailed a Norwegian black metal record label late one night, criticizing their bands (despite never having listened to them) and suggesting they sign my extremely extreme black metal band, Witch Taint—a band that existed only in name. This initial email sparked months of correspondence I never intended to be public. But the internet being what it is, it all came to light, and things escalated quickly. Now, beyond my wildest expectations, this story has become my first comic book series, Dark Regards, co-created with the incredibly talented Artyom Topilin. If you don't read every issue, you're crazy.

Dark Regards #1 is priced at $4.99 and will be released on May 13, 2025.

For more exclusive comic book previews, check out the final issue of TMNT: The Last Ronin II and the Dark Knight Returns-inspired Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell.