Jackals

Jackals is a manhwa series created by Kim Hyung-Jin that emerged during the late 2000s, a period when South Korean comics were increasingly influenced by fast-paced, gritty action cinema. The narrative focuses on the brutal underworld of professional assassins, specifically centered on the protagonist, Nicol, and his involvement with the cryptic organization known as the Jackals. The series was designed to emphasize kinetic action sequences and a somber, noir-inspired atmosphere, distancing itself from more traditional adventure tropes to provide a more visceral reading experience.

The artistic direction by Kim Hyung-Jin is characterized by sharp, angular character designs and heavy use of shadows, which were intended to reflect the moral ambiguity and lethal nature of the characters. Upon its release, the series was recognized by genre enthusiasts for its unrelenting pace and dark aesthetic. It serves as a representative example of the 'dark manhwa' subgenre that gained traction globally during the expansion of digital manhwa licensing in the early 21st century.