More than a hundred years after his creation, Dr. Syn returns to comics with a brand-new story. Publisher Oni Press has announced a four-issue miniseries starring this British adventurer, one of the characters who anticipated many of the tropes that would later define modern superheroes.
The project is signed by heavyweights in the industry: Steven S. DeKnight, creator of the series Spartacus and showrunner of the first season of Daredevil, and Michael E. Uslan, the historic executive producer of the Batman films. The art will be handled by Sebastián Cabrol. The first issue will hit stores in January 2027.
Who is Dr. Syn and why does his return matter?
The character was created by writer Russell Thorndike and first appeared in 1915. In his original novels, Syn was a vicar by day who, at nightfall, transformed into the masked smuggler known as the Scarecrow.
Before becoming a vicar, Syn had been a pirate, and in his adventures, he led a group of riders who used phosphorus to create a false supernatural appearance. That combination of a dual identity, a mask, and a dark past predated elements that would later become staples of the superhero genre by several decades.
Michael E. Uslan has described the character as a sort of first dark knight of America, a statement that carries special weight coming from someone whose career has been so closely linked to Batman.
A new story set in 1775
The miniseries will not be limited to updating Thorndike's original material. DeKnight and Uslan have opted for a revisionist story that moves the action to 1775, turning Syn into a reverend and doctor who leads an insurgency against King George III.
His rebellion ends with his capture and subsequent exile to Georgia, then used as a penal colony by the British Empire. There, Syn surrounds himself with a group of allies united by the same goal of justice.
According to Oni Press's description, the protagonist becomes one of England's most dangerous revolutionaries, with the potential to help destabilize the empire from within the American colonies themselves.
Between Inglourious Basterds and V for Vendetta
Those responsible for the project have summarized their proposal by appealing to two very specific references: the mix of brash tone and history that characterizes Inglourious Basterds and the spirit of rebellion against an oppressive power that defines V for Vendetta.
Hunter Gorinson, president and publisher of Oni Press, has insisted that this is not a simple modernization of the classic novels, but a reinterpretation that takes the essence of the character—a British fighter against the monarchy—and turns it into a proto-superhero tale.
Gorinson has even summarized the process with a direct expression: they are, in his words, "tarantinizing" the character.
DeKnight promises classic adventure
Despite the strong political component of the plot, Steven S. DeKnight has made it clear that adventure will remain the central axis of the story. The writer defines it as a historical action tale with a surprisingly current resonance, focused on a citizen who stands up to a tyrannical government.
At the same time, DeKnight assures that the miniseries will maintain the spirit of old adventure serials: heroism, impossible escapes, romance, and sword duels.
From the 1915 novels to Disney and comics
The publishing history of Dr. Syn began with the novel Doctor Syn: A Tale of the Romney Marsh, published in 1915. The character starred in six more novels and shared the era with other adventure heroes like Tarzan.
Over time, he has been pointed to as one of the precursors to later pulp heroes, including The Shadow, and as a distant influence on characters like Batman.
Thorndike's adventures reached the stage in the 1920s and 1930s and, later, the cinema. Among his adaptations, the 1963 Disney production titled The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh stands out. The character also had his own comic book series published by Dell Comics.
First look at New York Comic Con
Oni Press will offer a first preview of the miniseries during New York Comic Con, where Michael E. Uslan will participate in the publisher's panel on October 9.
The launch is scheduled for January 2027, with four issues in this first installment. More than a century after his creation, DeKnight, Uslan, and Cabrol now face the challenge of proving that one of the forgotten ancestors of the masked hero still has much to offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who created Dr. Syn?
The character was created by writer Russell Thorndike and first appeared in the 1915 novel Doctor Syn: A Tale of the Romney Marsh.
Who is responsible for the new miniseries?
It is written by Steven S. DeKnight, creator of Spartacus and showrunner of the first season of Daredevil, along with Michael E. Uslan, the historic executive producer of the Batman films. The art is by Sebastián Cabrol.
When will the first issue be published?
The launch is scheduled for January 2027, with a miniseries initially consisting of four issues.
What era is the new story set in?
The plot moves to 1775, with Syn turned into a reverend and doctor who leads an insurgency against King George III before being exiled to the Georgia penal colony.
Which publisher is releasing this new version?
The miniseries is being handled by Oni Press, whose president and publisher, Hunter Gorinson, has explained the creative approach of the project.
Has Dr. Syn had other adaptations?
Yes. The character went through the theater in the 1920s and 1930s, reached the cinema with the 1963 Disney production The Scarecrow of Romney Marsh, and had a comic book series published by Dell Comics.
