City of Dust…where Fairytales go to die.

Thinking of delving into a fictional work? Spending a Saturday night reading Grimm’s to the kiddies? Or Sunday morning giving kudos to your creator?  Well you won’t be doing any of that in the City Of Dust, those things are currently illegal and if caught partaking of said indulgences you might just find yourself getting ready to be executed on the spot.

Steve Niles has certainly taken those big brother stories to heart with this one and he’s come here to show us just what can happen if we truly let our imagination get out of hand.  This is a fascinating tale that gets off to a slow start but quickly draws you in once you let your imagination run wild.

But that could get you killed, right?  Of course, but think of the things you will imagine right before you pool up in your own internal juices…..might be worth it.

 Philip Khrome is a ‘mind crime’ detective which is a nice way of saying “he knows what you’re thinking.” He’s pretty cut and dry on the surface but he’s got a few questionable thoughts of his own roaming around that head of his. I liked his character right away and even through the layers of disconnect and isolation he makes an immediate impression. I was surprised that the subdued nature of the panels and the sheer lack of color conveyed so well the lurking but hidden colors of humanity within this story, that’s a true testament to the pairing of Niles and Zid.

As you start to get the gist of this grisly tale the darkness that permeates each panel begins to seep into your soul pulling you deeper into a plot that is fast becomes wrought with violence and savagery. I personally like to see a good murder plot get worked over in a new and interesting way and though this one follows formula it does get a unique spin placed on it – enough so that it lingers on in your mind long after you have read the last page.

There’s not a lot of high tech here that hasn’t been seen before but it does give a polite bow to Blade Runner in the form of its seedy darkness and quiet but dismal eroding cultural despair. I’m a fan of this dark stuff and think there isn’t enough of it out there. Hopefully City of Dust has generated enough interest to tempt other writers and artists to dabble in this pond.

Naturally there is a horror element involved here but it only adds to the futuristic noir feeling never detracting from it. I think that’s due in part to Zid and his copious skills with dark renderings, thus calling into play your ‘illegal’ imagination, that’s just one of the wonderfully sneaky constructs this book uses to riddle your subconscious with double entendres. There are many more subtle but harsh realities at play here than meet the eye.

Niles and Zid did an excellent job and thanks go to Radical for getting in line on this project. It’s a beautiful thing to behold with a nasty concept lurking inside its cover. Though this was only a 5 shot I’m really thinking there are many more Khrome stories to come, his character and setting are just too good to pass up.

City of Dust 5 shot miniseries September 08 through February 09

Published by Radical Comics