Vermillion (Helix)
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| Vermillion | |
 Cover to Vermillion No. 1: Starlight Drive. Art by Al Davison |
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| Publisher | Helix (DC Comics imprint) |
|---|---|
| Schedule | Monthly |
| Format | Ongoing series |
| Publication date | 1996 - 1997 |
| Number of issues | 12 |
| Main character(s) | Jonathan Cave |
| Creative team | |
| Writer(s) | Lucius Shepard |
| Artist(s) | Al Davison, John Totleben, Gary Erskine |
| Inker(s) | Angus McKie |
| Colorist(s) | Kim DeMulder |
| Creator(s) | Lucius Shepard |
Vermillion is a dark science fantasy comic book series set in an eponymous city located in an imagined far future or alternate reality. The series was conceived and written by multi-award winning author Lucius Shepard as part of the short-lived DC Comics imprint, Helix. The title was cancelled after a one year publication run shortly before the Helix imprint was itself cancelled by DC and its remaining titles shifted across to the Vertigo line.
[edit] Plot
The series narrates the tale told by the major protagonist, Jonathan Cave, to a man named Brother Fry. It describes the last days of a previous universe whose destruction in turn spawned the never-ending dystopian city-universe of Vermillion.
...the sight of Vermillion by night oppressed me. Streets so long no man could travel their length in a thousand lifetimes. A universe that was literally a single city. My home yet not my home. As old as time by most measures, yet new to me. I would never grow used to it.
— Jonathan Cave, Vermillion #1, p.3, Oct. 96
The series included two notable story arcs during its brief print run: Starlight Drive (issues 1-7) and Lord Iron & Lady Maganese (issues 9 -11).
[edit] Critical reception
The popularity of Vermillion suffered along with many of the early Helix titles for failing to identify with the a clearly defined readership. One notable criticism was that it trod an ambivalent line between the SF and fantasy genres.[1] In this context, it was never made clear to the reader what the "rules" of the Vermillion universe actually entailed or whether it was just in fact a random place setting. Other crtics were more uncomplimentary.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ Rawdon, Michael (1997-05-23). Vermillion - Review. Leftfield. Retrieved on 2008-01-23.
- ^ Bacardi, Johnny (2003-08-01). Top Twelve Comics Everyone Should Read (Gemini Blood Review). The Johnny Bacardi Show. Retrieved on 2008-01-23.
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