Possible Clues:

• *One side of a 23-Across piece
• Grimly funny champion (outside left)
• Poe title color
• Arthur ____ ( Host of CBC's Basic Black )
• Extremely dark
• The __, CLR James's study of the Haitian revolt of 1791–1804
• 14 created in response to police violence in Ferguson and elsewhere
• Conrad and Barbara _____
• Gloomy bar