Customer Reviews

Simon Dark: Ashes

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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.