Simon Dark: Ashes [Paperback]

Steve Niles (Author), Scott Hampton (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Simon Dark | Publication Date: February 10, 2009

In the dank alleyways and shadowy corners of Gotham City rest vicious criminal elements that not even Batman has the resources to combat. When the need arises, Simon Dark, a modern-day Frankenstein boogeyman hero, pushes back the ghouls that go bump in the night.

Finally facing down the serial killing cult that's had it's death grip firmly around the neck of the city, Simon Dark learns more macabre secrets about his own origins in this second volume from acclaimed horror writer Steve Niles (30 Days of Night, BATMAN: GOTHAM COUNTY LINE) and award-winning illustrator Scott Hampton (BATMAN: NIGHT CRIES)

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: DC Comics (February 10, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 140122170X
• ISBN-13: 978-1401221706
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 0.2 x 10.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #593,969 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Steve Niles (born June 21, 1965) is an American comic book author and novelist, known for works such as 30 Days of Night, Criminal Macabre, Simon Dark, Mystery Society and Batman: Gotham County Line.

He is credited among other contemporary writers as bringing horror comics back to prominence, authoring such works as 30 Days of Night, its sequel, Dark Days (IDW Publishing), and Criminal Macabre (Dark Horse Comics) with frequent artist collaborator Ben Templesmith.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars What happened?!, April 26, 2009

By 

Jon Repesh (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Simon Dark: Ashes (Paperback)

In my review of the first volume of Simon Dark, I stated that Steve Niles can be a frustrating writer to follow, due to his inconsistent output in the past. When people hear this, they naturally assume we are referring to different projects, which of course I was. Well, that logical line of reasoning is no longer exclusive, as these two volumes of Simon Dark and their one continuous story can now be added into the discussion. This second trade is an extension of the exceptional first, following up on the cult of sordid businessmen and their mysterious and macabre agenda. Unfortunately, as much of an unexpected bonus that the first was, this volume is just as big an unforeseen bust. As good a job that Niles did of provocatively setting up all of the myriad threads occurring, here he completely fails in delivering the next two acts with anywhere near the quality or suspense previously, with things basically degenerating into an outlandish anticlimax. Even the much anticipated reveal of Simon's background and his creator was a letdown, with the resulting conclusion being he is probably best left a mystery. If the absurd plot wasn't bad enough, the quasi old school style of writing is painfully worse, comprised of some of the most generic, simplistic, stiff, and expositionary filled dialogue you will find. Plus there is the annoying and unnecessary use of background banter, with many characters only lines being pointless and redundant one or two word remarks that serve little purpose but to detract from one's overall reading enjoyment. Just leaving the panels blank would be preferable. Sad to say, this is another painful example of a story that started out with such promise, to only crash and burn, which ultimately is more disappointing than ones that are thoroughly bad from the word go.