(W) Dave Hill (A/CA) Artyom Topilin In Shops: Jul 09, 2025 SRP: $4.99
GARY, INDIANA, MUST BE DESTROYED! From writer Dave Hill (Tasteless Nudes) and artist Artyom Topilin (EC’s Cruel Universe), one man’s insane but all-too-true autobiography finally gets to the good stuff: all of the axe-swinging violence!
Dave is on the cusp of getting a huge late-night writing gig . . . but his new Norwegian arch-nemeses have different plans! They’ve crossed the Atlantic to bring ruin and hellfire to the hometown of Witch Taint—Dave’s hyper-extreme black-metal band—and taken his mom hostage until they can meet in one-on-one combat. There’s only one problem: Witch Taint doesn’t actually exist . . . YET!
Two decades ago, Dave Hill and his first band set out to rock their high school auditorium in a fury of heavy metal hellfire. They failed miserably. Years later, Dave has made a new life for himself as a rising star in the New York comedy scene—a career where getting laughed at on stage is the entire point and not just a tragic consequence. But when Dave’s metal ambitions are reawakened by the über self-serious “satanic” genre of Norwegian black metal, Dave creates a ridiculously hyperbolic alter ego and a band to match that, together, reignite the spark of his forgotten rock ’n’ roll fantasy. But when Dave’s internet-fueled rumors of Witch Taint—a metal band “so extreme that you must remove all sharp objects from the immediate area” when their music is played—spreads all the way to Europe, his story will spiral dangerously out of control as Norway’s most extreme black metal butchers come to reap their revenge . . . and put everything and everyone Dave holds dear in the crosshairs (of their axes, which, truth be told, don’t actually have crosshairs, but, hey, it’s a metaphor). Dark Regards #1 picks up the torch from rockumentaries like This is Spinal Tap to introduce the world to the most extreme metal band ever.
Dark Regards is by Dave Hill and stars Dave Hill in a story that’s sort of kind of based on a true story and not at all exaggerated in any way. The result is a comic that blends fact and fiction into a story that’s a send up of Black Metal much like This is Spinal Tap mocked metal bands. Dark Regards #1 introduces Hill who has had dreams of being a musician since he was a kid and as an adult is a comedian with mixed results. His social life is in the crapper and his roommates seem more interested in watching terrible television. Eventually Hill dives into being the King of Black Metal pissing off some Norwegian Black Metal bands who go on a mission to kill Dave. All of this is told as a radio interview and done in a way that keeps you guessing if this is a true story Dave is telling or completely made up.
And that’s part of what’s fun about the comic. Not only does it poke fun at Black Metal but also the story as a whole with an exaggerated delivery that makes it all come off as one long setup by a comedian and now we’re waiting for the punchline. It’s a comic built on extreme punctuating and emphasizing that at every chance it gets. The result is a comic that’s a comedic sendup but also a love letter to Black Metal and especially Norwegian Black Metal (we’re fully expecting a forest to come into play here).
Artyom Topilin‘s art helps emphasize the insanity of it all by delivering the art in extremes as well. There’s little done at normal levels here and instead everything feels like it’s delivered in a way that makes it all the more comedic. Birttany Peer‘s color and especially Troy Peteri‘s lettering adds to the insanity of it all in a good way keeping things bright but also kind of metal in a way too. Backgrounds are used to really highlight the characters “metal” aspects and overall, like the story itself, the visuals come off as both a bit of a wink and nod as well as loving the music genre.
Dark Regards #1 is a fun debut that is one for the fans of the music genre, or at least know a bit about it. It can absolutely be enjoyed just on its own. An annoying American pisses off some people who travel to kill him, it’s a simple concept that delivers humor. But, if you’re familiar with Black Metal, especially the sillier aspects and inside jokes, Dark Regards #1 is a worthy offering to the dark gods.
Story: Dave Hill Art: Artyom Topilin Color: Brittany Peer Letterer: Troy Peteri Story: 7.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Read
Oni Press provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Oni Press is going over-the-top for its launch of Dark Regards #1. The blackest of metal comic features a 1:50 Human Blood variant cover by multi-hyphenate writer-comedian-actor-musician Dave Hill that features ACTUAL BLOOD of Hill, series editor Karl Bollers, and Oni President & Publisher Hunter Gorinson.
Two decades ago, Dave Hill and his first band set out to rock their high school auditorium in a fury of heavy metal hellfire. They failed miserably. Years later, Dave has made a new life for himself as a rising star in the New York comedy scene—a career where getting laughed at on stage is the entire point and not just a tragic consequence. But when Dave’s metal ambitions are reawakened by the über self-serious “satanic” genre of Norwegian black metal, Dave creates a ridiculously hyperbolic alter ego and a band to match that, together, reignite the spark of his forgotten rock ’n’ roll fantasy. But when Dave’s internet-fueled rumors of Witch Taint—a metal band “so extreme that you must remove all sharp objects from the immediate area” when their music is played—spreads all the way to Europe, his story will spiral dangerously out of control as Norway’s most extreme black metal butchers come to reap their revenge . . . and put everything and everyone Dave holds dear in the crosshairs (of their axes, which, truth be told, don’t actually have crosshairs, but, hey, it’s a metaphor).
Dark Regards #1 features art by Artyom Topilin and main covers by Topilin and Andrew Krahnke, and variants by Scott Sugiuchi, Brian Level, and Hill. Dark Regards #1 is on sale May 14.
Check out the exclusive video of Dave and Oni Publisher Hunter Gorinson draining their veins for the blood used in the making of the cover and don’t miss Dark Regards #1 this May!
From the honestly pretty impressive mind of multi-hyphenate writer-comedian-actor-musician Dave Hill and breakout artist Artyom Topilin comes the SHOCKINGLY TRUE, TERRIFYINGLY HILARIOUS, AND ONLY MODESTLY EXAGGERATED tale of how one stand-up comedian forged a secret online identity as America’s first true black metal icon . . . and accidentally started an international incident that almost wiped Gary, Indiana, off the map!
Not only that, Dark Regards #1will feature (not even kidding) a highly limited,1:50 HUMAN BLOOD VARIANT cover illustrated by Dave Hill himself … and printed with ink that contains the ACTUAL BLOOD of writer Dave Hill, series editor Karl Bollers, and Oni President & Publisher Hunter Gorinson.
Two decades ago, Dave Hill and his first band set out to rock their high school auditorium in a fury of heavy metal hellfire. They failed miserably. Years later, Dave has made a new life for himself as a rising star in the New York comedy scene—a career where getting laughed at on stage is the entire point and not just a tragic consequence. But when Dave’s metal ambitions are reawakened by the über self-serious “satanic” genre of Norwegian black metal, Dave creates a ridiculously hyperbolic alter ego and a band to match that, together, reignite the spark of his forgotten rock ’n’ roll fantasy. But when Dave’s internet-fueled rumors of Witch Taint—a metal band “so extreme that you must remove all sharp objects from the immediate area” when their music is played—spreads all the way to Europe, his story will spiral dangerously out of control as Norway’s most extreme black metal butchers come to reap their revenge . . . and put everything and everyone Dave holds dear in the crosshairs (of their axes, which, truth be told, don’t have crosshairs, but, hey, it’s a metaphor).
Oni Press presents the first look inside Dark Regards #1, the SHOCKINGLY TRUE, TERRIFYINGLY HILARIOUS, AND ONLY MODESTLY EXAGGERATED tale torn from the mind of multi-hyphenate writer-comedian-actor-musician Dave Hill and breakout artist Artyom Topilin! Within these demonically cursed and never-before-seen pages, explore how one stand-up comedian forged a secret online identity as America’s first true black metal icon . . . and accidentally touched off an international trail of mayhem that included kidnappings, attempted human sacrifice, and the vandalizing of the last freestanding Bob’s Big Boy restaurant in the Midwest. Curious? We know you are. After all, this story is true. (For real!)
Two decades ago, Dave Hill and his first band set out to rock their high school auditorium in a fury of heavy metal hellfire. They failed miserably. Years later, Dave has made a new life for himself as a rising star in the New York comedy scene – a career where getting laughed at on stage is the entire point and not just a tragic consequence. But when Dave’s metal ambitions are re-awakened by the über self-serious, “Satanic” genre of Norwegian black metal, Dave creates a ridiculously hyperbolic alter ego and a band to match that, together, reignite the spark of his forgotten rock ‘n roll fantasy. But when Dave’s internet-fueled rumors of Witch Taint – a metal band “so extreme that you must remove all sharp objects from the immediate area” when their music is played – spreads all the way to Europe, his story will spiral dangerously out of control as Norway’s most extreme black metal butchers come to reap their revenge . . . and put everything and everyone Dave holds dear in the crosshairs (of their axes, which, truth be told, don’t actually have crosshairs, but, hey, it’s a metaphor).
WE’RE NOT KIDDING: GIRD YOUR LOINS FOR Dark Regards #1 – keeping the scene alive in comic shops everywhere on May 13th with covers by Artyom Topiin, Andrew Krahnke, Scott Sugiuchi, Brian Level and a highly limited, 1:50 HUMAN BLOOD VARIANT cover illustrated by Dave Hill himself … and printed with ink that contains the ACTUAL BLOOD of writer Dave Hill, series editor Karl Bollers, and Oni President & Publisher Hunter Gorinson. (Gross! Also: Awesome!)
Oni Press has announced that Dark Regards #1 – THE TRUE STORY OF THE VIRAL HOAX SO INSANE IT COULD ONLY BE TOLD AS A COMIC BOOK from the mind of multi-hyphenate writer-comedian-actor-musician Dave Hill and breakout artist Artyom Topilin – will feature (not even kidding) a highly limited,1:50 HUMAN BLOOD VARIANT cover illustrated by Dave Hill himself … and printed with ink that contains the ACTUAL BLOOD of writer Dave Hill, series editor Karl Bollers, and Oni President & Publisher Hunter Gorinson.
Stay tuned in the weeks ahead as Oni Press documents the process of producing this extremely unusual variant cover through its various social media platforms on Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky for the benefit of future comics historians.
Then: Buckle up because this book is coming in like a screaming eagle to comic shops everywhere on May 13th! From the honestly pretty impressive mind of multi-hyphenate writer-comedian-actor-musician Dave Hill and breakout artist Artyom Topilin comes Dark Regards #1 – THE SHOCKINGLY TRUE, TERRIFYINGLY HILARIOUS, AND ONLY MODESTLY EXAGGERATED tale of how one stand-up comedian forged a secret online identity as America’s first true black metal icon . . . and accidentally started an international incident that almost wiped Gary, Indiana, off the map!
Two decades ago, Dave Hill and his first band set out to rock their high school auditorium in a fury of heavy metal hellfire. They failed miserably. Years later, Dave has made a new life for himself as a rising star in the New York comedy scene—a career where getting laughed at on stage is the entire point and not just a tragic consequence. But when Dave’s metal ambitions are reawakened by the über self-serious “satanic” genre of Norwegian black metal, Dave creates a ridiculously hyperbolic alter ego and a band to match that, together, reignite the spark of his forgotten rock ’n’ roll fantasy. But when Dave’s internet-fueled rumors of Witch Taint—a metal band “so extreme that you must remove all sharp objects from the immediate area” when their music is played—spreads all the way to Europe, his story will spiral dangerously out of control as Norway’s most extreme black metal butchers come to reap their revenge . . . and put everything and everyone Dave holds dear in the crosshairs (of their axes, which, truth be told, don’t actually have crosshairs, but, hey, it’s a metaphor).
ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?! Dark Regards #1 will not be denied when it lays siege to comic shops everywhere on May 13th with Artyom Topiin, Andrew Krahnke, Scott Sugiuchi, Brian Level and the ultra-special HUMAN BLOOD VARIANT that will be spoken of in whispers by your future descendants.
SOMETIMES YOU BREAK THE INTERNET – AND SOMETIMES THE INTERNET BREAKS YOU! ~ Oni Press has announced Dark Regards #1 – THE TRUE STORY OF THE VIRAL HOAX SO INSANE IT COULD ONLY BE TOLD AS A COMIC BOOK! From the mind of multi-hyphenate writer-comedian-actor-musician Dave Hill and breakout artist Artyom Topilin comes the SHOCKINGLY TRUE, TERRIFYINGLY HILARIOUS, AND ONLY MODESTLY EXAGGERATED tale of how one stand-up comedian forged a secret online identity as America’s first true black metal icon . . .and started an international incident that almost wiped Gary, Indiana off the map!
Two decades ago, Dave Hill and his first band set out to rock their high school auditorium in a fury of heavy metal hellfire. They failed miserably. Years later, Dave has made a new life for himself as a rising star in the New York comedy scene – a career where getting laughed at on stage is the entire point and not just a tragic consequence. But when Dave’s metal ambitions are re-awakened by the über self-serious, “Satanic” genre of Norwegian black metal, Dave creates a ridiculously hyperbolic alter ego and a band to match that, together, reignite the spark of his forgotten rock ‘n roll fantasy. But when Dave’s internet-fueled rumors of Witch Taint – a metal band “so extreme that you must remove all sharp objects from the immediate area” when their music is played – spreads all the way to Europe, his story will spiral dangerously out of control as Norway’s most extreme black metal butchers come to reap their revenge . . . and put everything and everyone Dave holds dear in the crosshairs (of their axes, which, truth be told, don’t actually have crosshairs, but, hey, it’s a metaphor).
FOR REAL: YOU ARE NOT PREPARED FOR THE DOSE OF HELLFIRE THAT IS DARK REGARDS #1 – laying siege (the old-fashioned medieval way with cool, long ladders and boiling oil and maces and stuff) to comic shops everywhere on May 13th with Artyom Topiin, Andrew Krahnke, Scott Sugiuchi, Brian Level and an ultra-special top-secret one WE CAN’T TALK ABOUT YET from Dave Hill himself.
