SIMON DARK #1 by Steve Niles and Scott Hampton
© DC Comics
Mania Grade: B+
Issue: 1
Authors: Steve Niles, Scott Hampton
Publisher: DC
Price: $2.99
Issue: 1
Authors: Steve Niles, Scott Hampton
Publisher: DC
Price: $2.99
SIMON DARK #1
By: Kurt AmackerDate: Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Steve Niles refashions Frankenstein, combines it with a bit of Tim Burton, and adds some urban legend mystique to create Simon Dark – his newest ongoing with DC and another collaboration with artist Scott Hampton (Batman: Gotham County Line). Niles shows Dark as an amnesiac monster – or is it just a mask? – who lives underground and prowls the streets of Gotham protecting children and adults alike. The children believe in him. The adults remain skeptical, until Dark emerges from the shadows to savagely put down their attackers. Niles pens a potentially fascinating character in Dark, while quickly establishing both the supporting cast – a female medical examiner for the coroner’s office, and a father and daughter newly relocated to Gotham – and the antagonists – rich cultists. Niles lays a lot of groundwork in the opening issue, which, while enticing and promising, makes the book feel brief. Regardless, it sets the stage for what should be an interesting and enjoyable ongoing series.
This first issue of Simon Dark almost feels like a mixture of genre fiction staples – CSI mixed with classic horror trappings a la Frankenstein, combined with an occult society out of Roman Polanski movie. Niles lays out the parts, and then adds the personal stories that ultimately separate his work from so many other horror comics. Beth Granger – the medical examiner – seems afraid of relationships. The father and daughter don’t get along very well, mostly because she doesn’t want to live in Gotham. And Simon Dark, of all people, has a cat that he has to beg for money to feed. Then again, the people he saves are usually happy to help.
Scott Hampton brings his usual blend of heavy, inky shadows and colors – courtesy of Chris Chuckry – seen through an ashen haze. It almost looks like a volcano erupted over Gotham, leaving black soot in the air. Hampton worked with Niles on Gotham County Line, and the two have a fine tonal symbiosis when they explore the dark side of the DC Universe together. In some moments, Hampton draws a bit like Eric Powell, though with tongue firmly removed from cheek.
Once again, Niles strikes his balance between relatable, human situations and supernatural madness. Hampton’s art only adds to the pleasurable mixture. This issue could’ve justifiably run at double the size, though. Still, pick this one up.
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