Sylas is trusted with a new power. The power to syphon pain and misery from those around him and carry their burdens. Find out how he copes in Syphon #1 by Image Comics!

SYPHON #1 (OF 3)

Writer: Patrick Meaney and Mohsen Ashraf
Artist: Jeff Edwards
Colorist: John Kalisz
Editor: Matt Hawkins and Elena Salcedo
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 21st, 2021 

Previously in Syphon: Sylas was an alcoholic who got into a bad wreck and swore that if he survived, he would help people. Thus, he became an EMT and has become straight edged. However, when he gets a new power, he has to find a way to balance his own burdens plus the burdens of others.

BLAME IT ON THE ALCOHOL

Syphon #1 opens with a young girl falling into a trap. As she goes and helps a person in an alleyway she is stabbed in the back. Before her assailant could take her power, she unleashes it to find a new host. Meanwhile, Sylas has finished a shift as an EMT where he saved a man who cut off his own finger while drunk. When he goes home, he receives the syphon power and can sense the pain around him. On his way home, he meets a girl and is able to comfort her with his new ability and they begin to date. However, as Sylas continues to use his new ability it becomes too much for him to handle and his mood darkens.

After an argument with his girlfriend, Sylas leaves a party and encounters a thief. Instead of being compassionate he gets angry and chases after him. The thief pulls out a gun and shoots Sylas in the shoulder. Sylas then unleashes a blast of power! When Sylas wakes up, he is in a room filled with all sorts of weapons and a man name Antonio across from him. But what Sylas doesn’t know is that Antonio killed the woman whose dying breath was gifting Sylas his powers.

A LOT GOING ON

Syphon #1 organized its book with what felt like a twenty-page montage. All we get is scenes in Sylas’ life with only minor indication about how much time is passing. The creative team had to work hard to give characterization to Sylas while also explaining how this ability works and all the players involved. And I have to say, they did an admirable job with their writing. I was very impressed with how much information I got in such a short amount of time. And I was surprised that it didn’t feel dense. Sure, maybe it was a little wordy but never felt overwhelming. They did leave out some information, but I think I was able to fill in the gaps to get the full picture. I love a creative team that doesn’t hold my hand and trust me to figure things out.

I primarily caught on to the theme of coping here. Most people seem to cope with alcohol and partying in one way shape or form. Actually, alcohol is highly prevalent in many scenes and never necessarily shown in the best light. Even Antonio is holding a drink, though it isn’t confirmed to be alcohol. Sylas chooses not to cope with alcohol due to an accident, but he hasn’t learned another way to cope. A bad recipe considering his syphoning pain of others power. Looking forward to seeing this explore in future issues. With great art and writing, I think this is a series to watch out for.

BOTTOM LINE: GREAT START

I am sad that Syphon #1 is only a three-issue miniseries. The story seems very rich and well thought out. Perhaps though, this is a series where it is going to be better to want more then to be disappointed with a long story. 4.5 out of 5 for me for Syphon #1 and I can’t wait for the next issue.

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Syphon #1 (of 3)

90%

90%

Great Start

Syphon #1 gives us a rich story with an engaging protagonist that makes you hungry for the next issue.

• Writing

  10
• Art

  9
• Coloring

  8
• User Ratings (0 Votes)
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