Silent Hill: Dying Inside

Silent Hill #1

by Scott Ciencin, Ben Templesmith

Troy Abernathy doesn't believe in ghosts or demons -- except those of the mind. The glory-seeking doctor's world is shattered when he brings patient Lynn DeAngelis to Silent Hill. There they confront the source of her seeming delusions...and find themselves trapped in a realm of unspeakable terrors!

Genres: Comics, Horror, Graphic Novels, Graphic Novels Comics, Fiction, Paranormal, Comic Book

128 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2004

About the author

Scott Ciencin was a New York Times best-selling novelist of 90+ books. He wrote adult and children's fiction and worked in a variety of mediums including comic books. He created programs for Scholastic Books, designed trading cards, consulted on video games, directed and produced audio programs & TV commercials, and wrote in the medical field about neurosurgery and neurology. He first worked in TV production as a writer, producer and director. He lived in Sarasota, Florida with his wife (and sometimes co-author) Denise.

(Also wrote under the pseudonyms Nick Baron and L.J. Oliver)

Reviews

[Marc · Rating 1 out of 5]

This had about as much to do with Silent Hill as Chicken has with Mcnuggets.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Debo decir que es un cómic que me gustó, pero no me encantó, es bastante similar con respecto a la ambientación del videojuego, se logra esa sensación de confusión y eso llamo mi atención, además las criaturas. Por otra parte, en contadas ocasiones, las ilustraciones eran demasiado difíciles de distinguir, y eso generaba un poco de incomodidad durante la lectura.

[Aaron · Rating 1 out of 5]

From the author of the Jurassic Park III novelization and the ever indecipherable Ben Templesmith comes a Silent Hill story that makes Silent Hill: Revelation look like Silent Hill 2 if ya know what I mean.

[Jason · Rating 1 out of 5]

I finished it only because I started it... The semi-interesting story from the first two books completely dissolves into an unrelated mess. The artwork looks like it was painted by a horde 5-year-olds fighting for control of the brush. Most of the time I couldn't tell what was happening, or who was talking. I was expecting more out of this book. If you're a fan of Silent Hill, or comic books that don't make you want to gouge your eyes out, then don't bother with this.

[Γαβριήλ Βρυώνης · Rating 1 out of 5]

One of the worst comic book I have ever read.

1 super lousy artwork. Most of the time, you can't really figure out what is happening
2 plot is explained through captions (since you can't really tell from the artwork)
3 so many plotholes
4 unrealistic and unlikeable characters
5 mess up story that doesn't really fit in Silent Hill's lore

[Reagan Reynara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Back when I was a kid. I used to play the game Silent Hill, I remembered about the game and decided to read books related to the game. Now I have read the book Silent Hill: Dying inside. I will give a review about this book, for the artwork, most of it is not clear. Sometimes I don't know what is happening on a page. For the storyline at the beginning, it is easy to digest, because it is still an introduction to the story. For the third and fourth parts, it starts to be difficult to follow because the storyline is too complicated and fast. So that makes the reader lack information. For me the ending of the story gave me a question mark, because of what I said earlier. The advantages of this book are its unique artwork and a fairly unique storyline as well. But the disadvantages of this book are, the storyline is difficult to understand, unclear. And the artwork is not very good so it is difficult to be enjoyed by the readers. I think this book is poorly made, but it's enough to make me read this book to the end. Since I am interested in Silent Hill series.

[Chris Greensmith · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Stick a needle in my eye. I wont whimper. I wont cry."
Being a huge fan of the games I read these comics, I have read them all a few times now and thought they deserved a re-read. They dont capture the subtle horror that the games have (especially 2) but they are still good, the artist changes after 2 issues in this series, and I feel that was for the worse, i struggled to make out what was going on in some panels, but the story was good, a good set of characters and a few twists. If you have never played the games I would still suggest giving the comics a go, they are good stand alone stories...3 🌟

[Lucas Robledo · Rating 2 out of 5]

A veces resulta una tarea muy compleja el expandir un universo que no necesita ser expandido. Y no lo digo desde un punto de vista snob al grito de “todo lo pasado fue mejor”, sino todo lo contrario: Silent Hill, fuese cual fuese la entrega que uno quiera elegir (al menos hablando de las primeras cuatro) retuerce dicho universo y lo exprime de una forma donde cada gota que vemos caer es perfecta, interpelando directamente a las historias.

Por eso, el desafío de los comics no iba tanto por su aspecto visual y lo acertados que puedan, o no, ser con el diseño de aquel mundo, sino con lo que iban a contar. ¿Qué aberración nueva podía salir de un mundo que ya pasó por tantas estadías? ¿Qué se podía teorizar, interpretar, soñar o incluso, desear, que ya no haya sido perpetrado? Silent Hill: Dying Inside lo intenta, en cinco números muy dispares, que, si bien mantienen al mismo guionista, parecen manejar dos narrativas completamente diferentes dentro de una misma línea de tiempo, por así decirlo.

Scott Ciencin es el guionista de los cinco números. Los primeros dos son, sinceramente, una maravilla narrativa. Hay una forma de manejar el caos de forma estructurada que me parece, nuevamente, impecable. La voz en off (si me permiten decirle así) mechada meticulosamente con los diálogos, la forma de contar cada suceso, lo precisos que son los globos de texto con cada una de las viñetas. Este primer arco (no de la historia, sino en mi libre interpretación) comprende los dos primeros números qué, casualmente, tienen el arte del magnánimo Ben Templesmith, quien regala unos trazos que parecen contagiar ira, texturas tiradas sobre el papel de forma irregular y, por momentos, detalles puntuales para enaltecer rostros, expresiones exageradas, y la necesidad visual de contar lo que las palabras expresan.

El tercer y cuarto número conformarían el segundo arco. Acá ingresa Aadi Salman en reemplazo de Templesmith y, si bien sus intenciones son muy buenas y tiene algunas cosas a nivel artístico realmente geniales, el impacto visual cambia por completo y, no sé bien por qué, lo mismo pasa con la narrativa. Salman maneja un estilo que intenta ser similar al de su antecesor, pero no tiene ese control del caos del que hablaba antes. Todo parece sucio, manchado, desprolijo. Las texturas y las pinceladas llenas de ira están tiradas a la buena de Dios, sin esa estructura tan meticulosa de Templesmith. Por momentos, no se entiende nada de lo que está pasando a nivel visual, es todo una gran mancha, y la narración sigue el mismo camino. Todo se vuelve confuso, tosco, lleno de diálogos apurados que intentan contar una historia profunda e inmensa en apenas unas cuantas viñetas.

Para el quinto y último tomo de esta primera saga que expande el universo de Silent Hill, tanto Aadi Salman como Scott Ciencin retoman la compostura y, si bien no llega a ser lo que supieron ser los dos primeros tomos, todo se encamina. La historia se vuelve más nítida, la búsqueda se hace más certera y los dibujos tienen un poco más de forma. El problema es que, una vez que podemos mirar la imagen global, la propuesta de Dying Inside es, como dije en un principio, bastante irregular. Es como cualquier historia de personajes con secretos oscuros y demonios internos, pero metida en Silent Hill. No digo que esté mal, ni tampoco digo que no sea una buena impronta, pero justamente, para ser Silent Hill, todo se siente demasiado genérico, sin magia, sin ese brillo oscuro y decadente tan propio de la saga.

[Braxton · Rating 1 out of 5]

The problem with this comic is that it is the type of book that has fairly sparse text and allows the art to tell the story. There is nothing wrong with this approach if it is done correctly. The problem here is that the art, particularly in the second half, is done in a dark and messy style, and it is almost impossible to tell what is going on half of the time.

[Auryn · Rating 1 out of 5]

This story had so much potential... And the first chapter kind of lived up to expectations. But from there on the art is so messy, the story is so confusing... I still don't know what happened.

[Kirk · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read the first two issues and loved them. Started the third . . . imagery became disorienting. A plethora of new characters I really wasn’t that interested in show up.

I put it down for a week.

I finished it just to finish it.

With so many characters, it really takes that eerie atmosphere out of the equation.

Towards the end I was kind of lost. Where did the book go? Who is doing what to whom? Who is dead? Who is undead? Who was undead but is now double dead and is it inconsequential because they can come back?

Who fucking knows 🤷🏻‍♀️🤦‍♂️

[Adrian Santiago · Rating 2 out of 5]

Qué me gustó, las ilustraciones en los primeros tomos, la mención a Alessa y un poquito de la historia del doctor Abernaty.

Todo lo demás... meh.
Sorprende que les dieran luz verde a fusilarse tantos monstruos de los videojuegos y más sin una razón con verdadero peso.

Una historia medio japonesa, así que tenemos a una niña gritando kyaaa, en vestidito. Siendo la "mala", y OBVIO... tentáculos.
Una historia medio estadounidense, así que tenemos al gordito con gorra desatando una balacera.
Sí, así de básica la historia.

[Stacey-girl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well I think I give up. I give up on this Silent Hill series. I keep reading them and all I can think afterwards is "well that was valuable time I'll never get back!". I could've learned to knit and it would've been more interesting! Next time I see one and think of reading it, I'll just pick up a knitting needle and stab myself in the eye.

[Spencer · Rating 2 out of 5]

‘Dying Inside’ doesn’t really feel related to silent hill, the story misses the point of the games and what makes them great. I quite liked the artwork; however, the style doesn’t really work as a comic, I spent far too much time trying to decipher what was trying to be portrayed. Overall, this isn’t very good, I’d advise fans of the franchise to skip this!

[Tessie Dragon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Silent hill film i herní sérii miluju, takže komix jsem si musela pořídit. Kresby byly opravdu bravurně nakreslené, 2 části, 2 autoři. 1.část byla nakreslena jednodušším stylem, zatímco 2. naprosto perfektně zachycovala atmosféru. Ale příběh naproti kresbám byl poněkud podprůměrný, nebyl tak ohromující, takže hodnotím 2 hvězdičkami. Jednou je to v pohodě, ale podruhé bych do toho asi nešla.

[Ximena Haro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Es entretenido y es el primero de cinco volúmenes de cómics de Silent Hill: Dying Inside. Los dibujos son muy escalofriantes e igualmente quieres saber muchísimo más de los personajes junto con la historia.

[Donavon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Art is sickly beautiful, but story is nearly impossible to follow. Very thin mention of other all powerful being in town (ie from game). Recommend the art, nut there are better Silent Hill stories to read.

[Zalo Villa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Las ilustraciones están muy buenas, pero es necesario un buen guión para que se luzcan, y en este caso están totalmente desaprovechadas con una historia lenta y que no lleva a ningún lado. Silent Hill, es solo una anécdota en la historia.

[Amber · Rating 1 out of 5]

I almost want to give this two stars because the art was good about half of the time...but seriously, wtf was that?

[Mati · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hoped for something more. This is definitely not much Silent Hill themed thing. If it was put in different universe I would be better.

[Persy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate the artwork, and I hated the story. Not worth the time, even for a huge fan of the franchise.

[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5

[Viewtiful_Dante · Rating 3 out of 5]

Regular. Interesante a ratos aunque con un estilo artístico extremadamente confuso. Se le puede sacar mucho más partido a una licencia como esta.

[Daniel Molina · Rating 1 out of 5]

The art is indistinguishable, and the story is convoluted to the point that both together make it difficult to follow what is going on. This is yet another disappointing entry from Scott Ciencin.

[lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

beautiful art style, bit hard to keep track of the story but i enjoyed it nonetheless

[Chris Noel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story was meh and the art was awful. The first two chapters. Salman's was better but muddy in parts.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the silent hill games and the first movie so I thought I'd try the comic books.

[Xoxojillzian · Rating 3 out of 5]

blahhhhh

[Nick McDermott · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m not a big fan of Templesmith’s art but it fit the environment of the story well for the first two issues, but the book becomes fairly indecipherable after issue 2.

[Erika Schoeps · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an obsessive fan of the Silent Hill video games, these comic books get me so hyped. Silent Hill has a fantastic premise that swallows up and then ugly regurgitates quality reinterpretation.

Silent Hill is an abandoned town with a mystical-ish power to conjure up past traumas so you may confront them. "Mystical" referring to the power of conjuring up past trauma in the form of monsters, demons, and spirits, and "ish" referring to the realistic emotions and experiences that these trauma visions take. For example, a victim of a sibling death would confront their sibling (it happens in this comic). But the interpretations in the game are often more symbolic and abstracted. Also, you may end up confronting other lingering demons that aren't your own.

Maybe you'll figure out how to move past the trauma during your stay, and maybe you won't. Maybe you'll just get unlucky with some other creature that isn't even your own to fight.

The art style is well-suited for this plot. It calls back to the video games with its grainy, slightly abstracted visuals. The games may have been abstract mainly because of graphics limitations, but the jarring, horrifying effect is the same. Characters look sickly, sad, and just dilapidated and the color palette further enforces this. Splattered swaths of blood and gore punch through the muted colors when necessary, providing a welcome burst.

The plot itself lets us only explore the characters through their traumas. This is limiting but it certainly keeps the plot focused and emotionally affecting. We get a brief slice of life scene with our various characters with some essential background info before they are plunged into the terror.

The plot then switches to new characters for the second half. Now the reader knows exactly what's going on. The second plot is a "teens check it out trying to prove that everything's cool because we are blustering confident teens," but it's still affecting because we examine them through past traumas. The spoiler that's not so spoiler-y is that these rough and rebellious teens have past suffering to contend with even though they're young. The story ends with a pleasantly off-kilter redemption and a glorious full-page illustration of an unexpected turnaround.

Essential to visit if you love Silent Hill and also a great way to see what the fuss surrounding Silent Hill is all about.