The Black Pearl #4

The Black Pearl #4 was published in 1996 as part of a five-issue miniseries released by Dark Horse Comics under their Comics Greatest World imprint. Created by writer Mark Schultz and artist Gene Ha, the series was designed to explore a darker, more atmospheric corner of the publisher's shared universe, focusing on a protagonist navigating a gritty, stylized cityscape. The title reflects the noir-inspired aesthetic and high-contrast, moody visual language that defined the creative direction of the project.

Gene Ha's work on the series is often cited for its meticulous ink-work and cinematic sense of composition, which helped establish the book's distinct visual identity during a period when the industry was heavily experimenting with mature, self-contained narratives. While the series was intended to carve out a unique space within the broader superhero-centric landscape of the mid-1990s, it remains a notable example of the collaboration between Schultz’s pulp-influenced prose and Ha’s evolving graphic storytelling style, earning a dedicated, if niche, following among fans of independent-leaning comics.