Dark Town

by Kaja Blackley, Vanessa Chong (Illustrator)

A man, Jacques De Bergerac, is in a coma after being in a car accident. He finds himself in Dark Town, where the land is dominated by strange living, breathing puppets and marionettes with button eyes.
The Lords of Dark Town are trying to kill Jacques, and use his body in the real world as a vessel for an agent of Dark Town. There's only one problem: Jacques' imagination. He carries it with him always, in a red suitcase. It protects him from the horrors of Dark Town.

Genres: Comics, Fantasy

Paperback

Published January 1, 1995

About the author

Kaja Blackley is a Canadian author of young adult fantasy, magical realism, and urban folklore. His debut urban eco-fantasy novel, Maggie MacCormack and the Witches’ Wheel, blends magic, adventure, and Scottish folklore, exploring themes of found family, courage, and hidden heirs.

One of his stories has been adapted into a Hollywood film, and he was recognized by Maclean’s as one of 100 Canadians to Watch. New books in the Maggie MacCormack series are planned for winter 2025/2026.

Reviews

[Jack]

I wish this had spawned more than one issue instead of spawning "Monkeybone", because the art is super neat in this.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating little comic that was the basis for the movie Monkeybone.

I love the concept and I love the art. I wish it would have gone past #1.

[Andrew Piggott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This graphic novel is a great read on its own. While "Monkeybone" was inspired by it, Sam Hamm did a poor job in adapting it into a screenplay, which is why it ultimately bombed in the theaters. Skip the movie, enjoy the book!

[David TheDM · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although it is the basis for the movie "Monkeybone," this graphic novel is quite different.

[Charles McLeod · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely better than Monkeybone, but still unfinished. Interested in what it could've been had all 12 issues been published.