The Darkforce, Explained

From the Quantum Realm to Weirdworld, the Marvel Universe contains countless alternative dimensions for readers to explore, each equipped with unique creatures, rules, and foes. But the Darkforce Dimension—not to be confused with Dormammu's Dark Dimension—has rarely stepped out from the shadows. 

However, this will change in Jed MacKay and Pepe Larraz's BLOOD HUNT event, which sparks a vampiric saga dependent on this realm's power source. In BLOOD HUNT (2024) #1, Darkforce users exploded into portals that opened the barrier between dimensions, unleashing Darkforce energy that blocked Earth's sun and fueled the rise of a vampire horde.

WHAT IS THE DARKFORCE?

Comprised of dark matter, the Darkforce is an extradimensional power that comes from the Darkforce Dimension and absorbs heat, light, energy, and life forces. Visually, it can appear as a gaseous-like smog in the air, as it looks with Cloak's display of power. The negative material can also be molded into a solid shape, as we see with Darkstar's ability to craft shooting weapons out of this energy source. Those who use the Darkforce can even enter the realm to teleport between locations.

DARKFORCE USERS

While many have tried to channel Darkforce energy via technology, magic objects, or mutant abilities, most of its users failed to do so without long-lasting or life-altering consequences. Prolonged exposure to the Darkforce often leads to mental instability too, like Marcus Daniels' transformation into Blackout in NOVA (1976) #19.

While the physicist learned to manipulate the matter to fly, create energy blasts, and teleport, Daniels lost his sanity and then became weaponized by Moonstone to fight the Avengers. Later, Blackout became brainwashed by Hydra's Baron Zemo into projecting a Darkforce Dome over all of Manhattan to trap the Avengers again in SECRET EMPIRE (2017). 

Of all the Darkforce users, Cloak is perhaps the best known; he is often called in to assist the Avengers against the threat of Blackout and others who misuse the Darkforce. Still, even he hasn't gone unscathed from using the energy. Although he can control and harness the Darkforce consistently, he needs to feed off of light energy or the life sources he transports to the Darkforce Dimension. Additionally, he lost control of his physical form and exists mostly as an intangible being. After the events of NEW WARRIORS (1990) #32-#34, Darkforce users like Cloak gained enhanced abilities and better use of their extradimensional powers as the balance between Lightforce, Darkforce, and Earth-616 shifted in their favor.

WHAT EXISTS IN THE DARKFORCE DIMENSION?

The Darkforce Dimension has more than one mystery to solve about its residents and origin. In AVENGERS (1963) #275, readers first glimpsed the Darkforce Dimension after Blackout sent Monica Rambeau to the realm and it fed on her electromagnetic powers.

Due to the realm's absence of light and life-draining abilities, not many have stayed there long enough to discover who—or what else—lives in the alternative dimension. Those who have spent time in the Darkforce Dimension describe it as a cold, dark, and tiring place that evokes their greatest nightmares. 

CLOAK AND DAGGER (1985) #1 revealed that Predator—a shapeshifting demon who feeds on the living—resides there, leeching off the life sources and fears of the people Cloak drops into the realm. Also, WAR OF KINGS: ASCENSION (2009) #2 depicted the Tree of Shadows in a vacant area of the realm called the Null Space. The Shi'ar Empire's Fraternity of Raptors previously fought with the Skrulls over ownership of the Tree of Shadows, which brings up more questions concerning the dimension's alien connections. 

One thing is for certain: the Darkforce Dimension is an old, relentless void where life cannot survive for long periods of time, which makes the prospect of BLOOD HUNT's enveloping Darkforce sky a terrifying problem for our heroes to solve in MacKay and Larraz's bloodiest Marvel event yet.

Behold the Darkforce sky in BLOOD HUNT #1, on sale now!

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