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Simon Dark #1
Simon Dark: What Simon Does
"Now Gotham has an even darker knight. Gotham City is a hotbed of crime and corruption. But one small neighborhood doesn't fear the evil that surrounds it. A champion they barely understand-- a gruesome angel who takes his name from a child's rhyme-- protects them. He calls himself Simon Dark. And he has no idea who he is or where the patchwork scars that line his body came from. All he knows is that he wants to do good. But protecting his neighborhood won't be easy when the opposing forces of dark magicand forbidden science choose it as their battleground. It will take the help of a beautiful coroner and a smitten teenaged girl to help Simon stitch together the pieces of his former life and solve the mystery of his birth-- or else death waits for them all" -- p. [4] of cover.
144 pages, Paperback
First published August 19, 2008
1 person is currently reading
110 people want to read
About the author
Steve Niles
823 books459 followersSTEVE NILES is one of the writers responsible for bringing horror comics back to prominence, and was recently named by Fangoria magazine as one of it's "13 rising talents who promise to keep us terrified for the next 25 years."
Niles is currently working for the four top American comic publishers - Marvel, DC, Image and Dark Horse. He got his start in the industry when he formed his own publishing company called Arcane Comix, where he published, edited and adapted several comics and anthologies for Eclipse Comics. His adaptations include works by Clive Barker, Richard Matheson and Harlan Ellison.
Steve resides in Los Angeles in his bachelor pad with one cat. While there's no crawlspace, there is a questionable closet in one corner and no one is quite sure what is hidden in there...but we have an idea.
--from the author's website
Niles is currently working for the four top American comic publishers - Marvel, DC, Image and Dark Horse. He got his start in the industry when he formed his own publishing company called Arcane Comix, where he published, edited and adapted several comics and anthologies for Eclipse Comics. His adaptations include works by Clive Barker, Richard Matheson and Harlan Ellison.
Steve resides in Los Angeles in his bachelor pad with one cat. While there's no crawlspace, there is a questionable closet in one corner and no one is quite sure what is hidden in there...but we have an idea.
--from the author's website
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 17, 2014
The first volume of Simon Dark collects six single issues of the monthly series, but has plot and character development for maybe three. This volume feels like just the first part of a larger story arc, we only get a few hints about the origins of the main characters and a set up for the next volume in the series.
The art fits the book perfectly, and looks great if the scene is still, but looks somewhat lacking when it comes to action and fighting scenes.
Overall, an ok, and a really quick, read.
The art fits the book perfectly, and looks great if the scene is still, but looks somewhat lacking when it comes to action and fighting scenes.
Overall, an ok, and a really quick, read.
January 7, 2015
While there have been other characters that've worked their trade in Batman's Gotham before (Hitman, Jason Blood/Etrigan and the rebooted Ragman come to mind) but this is one of the few times I haven't missed or wondered about Batman's presense when he wasn't around. Simon Dark is a character that operates against macbre forces in the back alleys and sewar like dwellings that even Gotham's best known guardian isn't aware of. The character is essentially a horror movie monster either cursed or driven to to fight the bad intentioned others of his/its ilk. Steve Niles sets a well paced , gothic themed, tribute to horror characters (Freddy Kreuger and "Frankenstein" the creature come to mind) and slasher films where bad guys (instead of teenagers) are the victims and though this collection left a few plot threads dangling (which were wrapped up in later issues) it's still a satisfying, stand alone, read.
January 28, 2009
I love that they list Simon Dark as the author.
Kind of appropriate, though Steve Niles has outdone himself on this one.
Kind of appropriate, though Steve Niles has outdone himself on this one.
July 24, 2018
Average not really that great but not total shit either.
September 22, 2024
This is a DC character that I totally missed in the 2000’s. This trade collects the first 6 issues of the 18 issue run.
It has a very gothic/horror feel. I would say it’s a mix of the violence of the Crow with the dark wonder of Edward Scissorhands.
This first arc was a great intro into the series. Lots of mystery and darkness with a good amount of story threads to make me interested the whole time. It leaves you hanging on the last pages with some supernatural goodness, or at least it seems like that.
There were some things that didn’t make sense about Simon and his powers at first, but they get explained in the 2nd arc. I will definitely be reading the whole series.
It has a very gothic/horror feel. I would say it’s a mix of the violence of the Crow with the dark wonder of Edward Scissorhands.
This first arc was a great intro into the series. Lots of mystery and darkness with a good amount of story threads to make me interested the whole time. It leaves you hanging on the last pages with some supernatural goodness, or at least it seems like that.
There were some things that didn’t make sense about Simon and his powers at first, but they get explained in the 2nd arc. I will definitely be reading the whole series.
February 26, 2017
How have I not written a review of this?! This is hands down one of my favourite comic books of all time! And that's saying a lot considering it established this within such a skinny volume. I'm going off of memory so please pardon the injustice I perform here, I'll do better in the next review for this series.
Simon is a character I enjoy reading about. He's a mystery and I just wabt to learn more. He may look... Pretty gruesome but (although not a man of many words) his actions show how sweethearted he can be. He's caring, sweet and a defender albeit an anti-hero per se; since he uses very violent means to provide protection and seek vengeance. But that's partly what makes him so interesting. He isn't monotoned and you can see that in a lot of things. As an added bonus, he definitely kicks butt (especially for someone without guidance)! I enjoyed reading the fight scenes. They were action-packed, interesting and funny at times even.
The art is something very unique. It has a dull, old feel to it which seems to blend in perfectly with this side of Gotham's grim crime. This book is very much gothic. Moody, sort of dingy. There's action but it's safe to say this book leans more towards the Horror maybe even Thriller genre. Not every line is drawn in the pictures. Instead, shading is used to shape and give a less detailed visual. I heard someone say watercolours were used, but I'm not sure. The setting isn't as stark as the usual almost luxurious city feel you'd get. No, this book feels cold, desolate, eerie and quiet. It utilises primarily -if not entirely, cool tones and is set in winter in a lesser known part of Gotham, I presume. Even the book medium lends itself to feeling old through its smell and texture both on the drawings and the papers. I think this is a masterful way of maximising the possibilities of ambience through comics.
I don't recall the writing all too much but I was always captivated by the story, that's for sure. It's an interesting premise with creepy characters and literary references (which are always welcomed, especially when it helps the feel of the book i.e Edgar Allan Poe). I found that this book struck the perfect balance of introduction, familiarisation, forshadowing and mystery as the origin story of a horror vigilante in a short-run series.
Also something to note, I like the type of humour in this book. There's a particular arm-ripping scene that I found absolutely hillarious without taking away from the gruesome main aspect of the book; which is of paramount importance to me whenever I read Horror. There can be comedic relief but I dislike it when the tone of the book shifts to one of half parts humour and horror or allow the entire comic to be overrun with jokes... unless that's how it was originally advertised.
Simon is a character I enjoy reading about. He's a mystery and I just wabt to learn more. He may look... Pretty gruesome but (although not a man of many words) his actions show how sweethearted he can be. He's caring, sweet and a defender albeit an anti-hero per se; since he uses very violent means to provide protection and seek vengeance. But that's partly what makes him so interesting. He isn't monotoned and you can see that in a lot of things. As an added bonus, he definitely kicks butt (especially for someone without guidance)! I enjoyed reading the fight scenes. They were action-packed, interesting and funny at times even.
The art is something very unique. It has a dull, old feel to it which seems to blend in perfectly with this side of Gotham's grim crime. This book is very much gothic. Moody, sort of dingy. There's action but it's safe to say this book leans more towards the Horror maybe even Thriller genre. Not every line is drawn in the pictures. Instead, shading is used to shape and give a less detailed visual. I heard someone say watercolours were used, but I'm not sure. The setting isn't as stark as the usual almost luxurious city feel you'd get. No, this book feels cold, desolate, eerie and quiet. It utilises primarily -if not entirely, cool tones and is set in winter in a lesser known part of Gotham, I presume. Even the book medium lends itself to feeling old through its smell and texture both on the drawings and the papers. I think this is a masterful way of maximising the possibilities of ambience through comics.
I don't recall the writing all too much but I was always captivated by the story, that's for sure. It's an interesting premise with creepy characters and literary references (which are always welcomed, especially when it helps the feel of the book i.e Edgar Allan Poe). I found that this book struck the perfect balance of introduction, familiarisation, forshadowing and mystery as the origin story of a horror vigilante in a short-run series.
Also something to note, I like the type of humour in this book. There's a particular arm-ripping scene that I found absolutely hillarious without taking away from the gruesome main aspect of the book; which is of paramount importance to me whenever I read Horror. There can be comedic relief but I dislike it when the tone of the book shifts to one of half parts humour and horror or allow the entire comic to be overrun with jokes... unless that's how it was originally advertised.
November 8, 2012
(DC Comics) has blown me away once again with this tender character created by the occult. I think this may be his finest writing yet. The pacing of the story, the other characters, the grim black magic, the adorable familiars, Gaius, Marty and Suzy--Simon's world is just so interesting! And Scott Hampton was the perfect artist for this series as Scott has painted a character that is both innocent and mystifying. (Grades 10 and up)
The story follows a vigilante figure that beheads predators of the two legged variety. Simon Dark does not know why he was born or who his family is and is on a hunt to figure out why he exists. He's made from dead bodies! Along the way, he meets friends, a love interest (Rachel) and family. He's also being hunted by practitioners of black magic and can I just say I need more stories of Simon. Can we please have novels, movies and more graphic novels? Can someone turn this series into a movie? This is smart storytelling.
DC released the series as 18 issues but it’s out now as three collected graphic novels. Seriously: if you need a comic series to get lost in, I strongly suggest you check out this cult figure. He'll charm you.
The story follows a vigilante figure that beheads predators of the two legged variety. Simon Dark does not know why he was born or who his family is and is on a hunt to figure out why he exists. He's made from dead bodies! Along the way, he meets friends, a love interest (Rachel) and family. He's also being hunted by practitioners of black magic and can I just say I need more stories of Simon. Can we please have novels, movies and more graphic novels? Can someone turn this series into a movie? This is smart storytelling.
DC released the series as 18 issues but it’s out now as three collected graphic novels. Seriously: if you need a comic series to get lost in, I strongly suggest you check out this cult figure. He'll charm you.
March 9, 2021
It seems trendy to give it a shit note but I have many comicbooks hot takes and mine is this is so much better than many of the US comicbooks I’ve read... Maybe the flaws are well concealed by the cute humor the lovely style and pleasing themes and characters. Maybe i was predestined to love it because of it all... Can’t deny the pacing and exposition is so much more efficient than with many and that’s what makes or breaks a comic to me.
My only regret would be despite its originality it doesn’t seem very ambitious ....
I’ve been told it was a oneshot and it is not !!!!!!!!!!!!! I need more ..........
My only regret would be despite its originality it doesn’t seem very ambitious ....
I’ve been told it was a oneshot and it is not !!!!!!!!!!!!! I need more ..........
May 9, 2011
I'm not a big fan of Batman so Gotham stories don't usually attract me (with the exception of catwoman) but the moody artwork and unique edward-scissors hands like character charmed me. A few parts even made me tear up a bit.
January 23, 2013
It was a shame that this series was cancelled as it really was a great concept with some really interesting ideas in it.
To be honest it probably would have been better served setting it outside of Gotham and maybe putting it on the Vertigo imprint, but what can you do, eh?
To be honest it probably would have been better served setting it outside of Gotham and maybe putting it on the Vertigo imprint, but what can you do, eh?
May 27, 2010
comics,horror
February 15, 2011
Excellent, in places it was slightly confusing, but overall brilliant.
April 26, 2012
I did not think that I was going to like this book at all, but it was actually really, really good.
July 11, 2019
Great introduction to the character of Simon Dark from Niles and Hampton. Intriguing story of a new figure in the underbelly of Gotham City in the reaches where Batman doesnt appear.
January 23, 2023
this hit different in 2008
January 17, 2016
The only art I liked from this book was the supernatural stuff - the realistic art bothered me. And I didn't care about Simon - he was whiny and ran away all the time. I just couldn't make myself care about him or any of the other characters, for that matter. A weak comic, in my opinion.
July 26, 2011
I really like the concept, but had a hard time following the story first time through. But it's okay because I read it mostly for Hampton's art, which is always wonderful.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews