Syphon is a fantasy-noir comic series about a supernatural empath, Sylas, who comes to wield an ancient power to heal the suffering of others at the cost of carrying that pain himself.[1][2]
| Syphon | |
|---|---|
 Cover to Syphon | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Top Cow Productions (Image Comics) |
| Format | Limited series |
| Publication date | July 2021 – February 2024 |
| No. of issues | 7 |
| Creative team | |
| Created by | Mohsen Ashraf |
| Written by | Mohsen Ashraf (#1-7) Patrick Meaney (#1-3) Arish Akanda (#4-7) |
| Artist(s) | Jeff Edwards (#1-3) Thomas Hedglen (#4-7) |
| Inker(s) | Jeff Edwards (#1-3) Mostafa Moussa (#4-7) |
| Colorist(s) | John Kalisz (#1-7) |
The series was created by Mohsen Ashraf and published by Image Comics under the Top Cow imprint. The first volume was released in December 2021 and collects the first three issues. It was met with critical acclaim and was nominated for Best Series and Best Artist in the 2022 Ringo Awards, with Sylas selected as Fan Favorite Hero.[3][4][5][6]
A second volume was released in May 2024, collecting the next four issues in the series.[7]
Plot
editThe story takes place in New York City with Sylas, an EMT, chosen by an ancient power to be its next wielder. This gives him the ability to see the suffering in others and 'syphon' it away. Reeling from this supernatural transference, Sylas inadvertently uses the power on his neighbor, Livia, bringing her instant relief by taking on her burdens. The two grow close and eventually start dating.[1][8][9]
Sylas continues employing his powers on and off work, healing the miseries of others to his own detriment. It slowly eats away at him, miring him in depression and damaging his mental health and relationships. One night after an argument with Livia, he unleashes a powerful psychic blast against a man who assaults him on the streets.[9]
Overwhelmed by his burdens, Sylas accepts the help of a fellow wielder of the power, Antonio, who teaches him to syphon people’s pleasure rather than their pain. He begins abusing his power, relishing the ecstasy of it, but eventually realizes Antonio’s true intentions are far darker than his misguided altruism. Sylas is forced to fight and defeat his former mentor in an astral plane.[10][9]
Over time, Sylas learns to balance work and love with the responsibility of his power, while his partner Livia, a neuroscientific, explores the impact of emotional trauma and the ethics of healing from it. Their relative calm is upended when Zenia, a brash power-hunter, explodes onto the scene warning of an ancient threat re-awakened.[9][11]
Reception
editAwards
edit| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Ringo Awards | Best Series | Syphon | Nominated | [3] | |
| Fan Favorite Hero | Sylas (character) | Won | ||||
| Best Artist or Penciller | Jeff Edwards | Nominated |
References
edit- ^ a b Tantimedh, Adi. "Syphon Volume 2 Confirmed To Be Published By Top Cow". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
Syphon Volume 2 follows "supernatural empath" Sylas, wielder of an ancient power to sense and siphon away pain from others, as he struggles to navigate his purpose and the moral ambiguity of his newfound power. He is joined by Livia, a scientist and trauma researcher exploring the fringe of the Syphon-verse. The series unveils new characters and settings, including a Syphon temple lost in the Amazon – brimming with deep lore of the power – and a long-forgotten threat reawakened.
- ^ Magnett, Chase (28 February 2024). "Comic Book Reviews for This Week: 2/28/2024". ComicBook.com. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
- ^ a b "2022 Ringo Awards". Ringo Awards. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
- ^ "Best Anthology 2022 Ringo Award Winner!". DC Comics. 31 October 2022. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
- ^ Tantimedh, Adi. "Syphon Volume 2 Confirmed To Be Published By Top Cow". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
Syphon Volume 1 earned critical acclaim for its dazzling illustrations and colors that blended moody neon overtones with an otherworldly atmosphere. The series was nominated for three Ringo Awards in 2022, including Best Series and Best Artist, and was awarded Favorite Hero.
- ^ Puc, Samantha (31 October 2022). "Meet the winners of the 2022 Ringo Awards". GamesRadar+. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
..and Silas from Image's Syphon was awarded Favorite hero.
- ^ Johnston, Rich (12 April 2021). "Patrick Meaney, Jeff Edwards, Mohsen Ashraf's Syphon at Image Comics". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
- ^ D'Andria, Nicole (19 April 2021). "Image and Top Cow's Syphon Series Blends Fantasy and Noir". Screen Rant. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
Syphon introduces readers to a world in which Sylas, an EMT working in New York City, obtains empathic powers. This supernatural empathy allows him to sense and take the pain away from others, at the cost of cursing him with their misery. He finds himself in over his head even further when a mysterious drifter drags him into a war centered around gaining control of the human condition.
- ^ a b c d Horne, Karama (19 August 2021). "INDIE COMICS SPOTLIGHT: TOP COW'S SYPHON ASKS 'WHAT IF EMPATHY WAS A SUPERPOWER?'". Retrieved 15 May 2024.
The story follows Sylas, an EMT with an errant past who becomes the host for an ancient spirit that has the power to take away human pain with a touch. His powers manifest the morning after he wakes up on the street next to the dead body of a woman he does not know. Suddenly, he's spiritually connected to a long line of prior hosts, or 'Syphons,' who have passed down their power for centuries. Finding purpose, Sylas quietly helps the people around him, and his newfound powers even bring love into his life. But being a constant pain-magnet can become exhausting, and the added stress brings about a secondary ability, and along with it, a mysterious new benefactor, Antonio.
- ^ Tantimedh, Adi. "Syphon Volume 2 Confirmed To Be Published By Top Cow". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
After defeating Antonio, Sylas struggles to navigate life, love, and the moral ambiguity of his newfound power. His physical and emotional limits are tested as he pushes the boundaries of his abilities. As his powers grow so do the consequences of his actions, leading him to face a monster of his own making.
- ^ "Six Fingers, One Hand & Dutch in Image Comics February 2024 Solicits". Bleeding Cool. 17 November 2023. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
Mini-Series Finale. All seems lost as the Syphon demon grows in strength, overpowering the group and breaking Sylas's will to fight. An unexpected ally comes forward to help, but will it be enough? Livia struggles to contain the fallout with Gabriel, and is ultimately confronted with her role in the Syphon-verse.