Comic Review: Syphon #1

Image Comics

Writers: Patrick Meaney & Mohsen Ashraf

Artists: Jeff Edwards & John Kalisz

Syphon is an urban fantasy comic published by Image. In its first issue, it combines a fast-paced plot with ample backstory. There are hints to an ancient power, yet keeps plenty of mystery for subsequent issues in the future.

The story begins, like so many stories do, with a murder. Not just any murder, but a particularly magical one. The premise of the magic: there are certain individuals who can siphon away pain from others. But this power comes at a price. There is an order that uses it for something more sinister. What that sinister purpose is, however, remains to be revealed.

While Syphon #1 has all the makings of a quality setup, character introduction, inciting incident, backstory, and complication, it also has many scene-jumps that make the plot feel rushed. The sure amount of information packed into this first issue leaves readers feeling out of breath. One question that persisted, even on second and third readings of the issue was how much time elapsed between scenes, as it felt considerable without indication. Overall, after the opening sequence, the issue feels more like a montage than a cohesive plot with scenes that correspond and inherently build on each other.

Perhaps it is the break-neck pace of this comic that impacts the main character in a negative fashion. There are details about Sylas’s past that are intriguing, yet readers get only hints of the trauma he has faced in the past, and so these traumas are not as weighted as they might have been. In the end, they don’t feel earned.

Another aspect of this #1 that suffers due to the pacing is a lack of supporting characters. Sure, Sylas has a girlfriend at one point in the issue, but she isn’t around for more than a few pages (if that), and so she doesn’t feel like a full character, and neither do any of Sylas’s friends.

While the story and characters suffer due to the pacing of this issue, the art and lettering are on par with any comic. The character design feels authentic to the subject matter. Panels flow easily and well and dialogue balloons never get in the way of a flowing narrative. The best part of this comic is the expansive and blinding colors when magic is present. Jeff Edwards and John Kalisz do some great work here in showcasing the dazzling power of extreme empathy.