Comics / Comic Reviews / DC Comics

The Helmet of Fate: Sargon the Sorcerer #1

By Al Kratina
March 7, 2007 - 20:38

Writer Steven Niles made his mark on the comic book industry in 2002 with the release of the graphic vampire series 30 Days of Night. Since then, he's been searching for his next big title, lending his skills to any and all horror stories that Mike Carey was too busy to write. His latest comic, the Helmet of Fate one-shot Sargon the Sorcerer, has the characteristic macabre feel of most of his work, but with his hands tied by the constraints of an all-ages book, and accompanied by an artist with a more straightforward style that 30 Days' Ben Templesmith, there's little to distinguish this book from everything else on the market, let alone the rest of the Helmet of Fate series.

Drifter David Sargent is surprised to learn that he's the sole inheritor of his grandfather's estate. We, however, are not surprised to discover that said grandfather is Sargon the Sorcerer, a powerful magician who cloaked his supernatural abilities behind the facade of a stage performer. And while his lineage and entitlement are legit, the men who bring Sargent, a lawyer and his chauffer, are not. They're using Sargent to gain access to Sargon's enchanted mansion, in a quest to locate his sliver of the Ruby of Life. During the inevitable confrontation, in which Sargent is granted power from the spirit of Sargon, the Helmet of Fate shows up, inexplicably and unnecessarily, the lawyer and driver turn into demons, and Sargent becomes the new Sargon.

Neither Niles' story nor his dialogue are particularly memorable, and the Helmet's appearance seems superfluous, merely an excuse to tie the issue into a larger story. While everything is competently executed, there doesn't really seem to be a purpose of the story. It does introduce a new incarnation of Sargon, but that's kind of like making a sequel to Swimfan: unnecessary. The art, by Batman: Gotham County Line’s Scott Hampton, is quite nice, sketchy and shadowed without being too affected and over-blown, though it’s not as beautiful and horrific as his work on the aforementioned titled. There's a great fluidity to the pencils, as well, which keeps the book moving nicely, and the occasional panel set against a white background livens things up a bit. Still, while the pencils are the highlight of the story, they aren't enough to make Helmet of Fate: Sargon the Sorcerer a significant read, an important entry in the saga of Dr Fate, or even a particularly good sequel to Swimfan.

Rating: 6 on 10

Last Updated: January 17, 2025 - 08:20