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SDCC 2023: Top Cow announces Syphon Volume 2

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Syphon, a supernatural noir comic and 2022 Ringo Award Winner, is releasing its second volume with Top Cow Productions this November. Creator and writer Mohsen Ashraf continues the series in a new four-issue story, joined by co-writer Arish Akanda, new artist Thomas Hedglen, inker Mostafa Moussa, colorist John Kalisz, and letterer Troy Peteri.

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.

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.

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.

Syphon Volume 2 #1 arrives November 15. It features covers by Jeff Edwards, Josh George, and Thomas Hedglen.

Review: Zindan #4

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Zindan #4

When you have no options left, what do you do? Where do you turn? How do you go forward? These are the questions when it seems there’s no hope, that you must answer for yourself. When it seems as though you have no light guiding your dark days. If you grew up in a religious family, you would hear sayings that stoked your faith. From my Roman Catholic Filipino mother, I would hear “God will only put us through those things that make us better”.

From my Trinidadian Muslim father, I would hear “And He will provide him from he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allah will accomplish his purpose. Indeed, Allah has set a measure for all things.” Faith gives us a vision where our eyes cannot guide us as we cannot see the future, but we can ask for a greater being to look out for us. We must remember these things when life throws us those curve balls we never saw coming. In the fourth issue of Zindan, Timur and Zain are still trying to pickup the pieces after an unfathomable betrayal.

We find the Shah of Punjab returning to his palace in Lahore, with this capital brimming with intrigue and hungry peoples lining the streets, as they revel in the victory, they had over the Ansaars, not knowing Zain and Timur are waiting in the shadows. We also find Tara and her companions fighting their way through the Shah’s men in the desert, trying to equalize the damage his men unleashed on the Ansaars. We also are taken to Herat, where Zain and Timur are being hunted by Tatar soldiers, as the betrayal they suffered in the last issue has left the brothers with few options. By issue’s end, as Timur finds a moment of solace only for it to be interrupted by the Tatar soldiers who are there to end the Last of the Ansaars.

Overall, an excellent issue that gives fans a complex world where the heroes look like the people of color this mythology is built on. The story by Omar Mirza is well developed and well characterized. The art by the creative team is gorgeous. Altogether, an installment that proves Mirza is an expert storyteller.

Story: Omar Mirza
Art: Sajad Shah, Adelso Corona, Mostafa Moussa, La Beau Underwood, Bryan Valenza, Jessica Jimerson, Alonso Espinosa, Roberto Vargas, and Joe Weems
Story: 10 Art: 9.5 Overall: 9.6 Recommendation: Buy