The Simon Myth Chronicles Explained

In 2015, I wrote an article for The Tattooed Buddha called "When Imagination Becomes Sentient," detailing my experience of creating a character named Simon Myth. Rather, it was more about how Simon came to me. Simon, you see, is something I call a "daimonic entity."

Now, when I say daimonic, I don't mean demonic. The word "demon" has been bastardized by the religious mutations of history, having come from the Greek word daemon which was originally defined as a being acting as an intermediary between the gods and humanity. The following excerpt is from my new book The Shamanic Soul, where I actually discuss the formulation of Simon Myth in my consciousness:

" . . . daemons have a long-standing lineage in Gnosticism and Neoplatonism. It is said that Socrates himself had a daemon who frequently warned him against making wrong decisions or times of trouble. The daimonic realm exists within us and as a medium for the anima mundi, the Greek term for the 'World Soul' [ . . . ] Patrick Harpur has done a lot of great work surrounding daimonic beings and their nature. In his book, Daimonic Reality, he states that 'the daimons are archetypal images which, in the process of individuation, conduct us towards the archetypes (gods) themselves. They did not have to convey messages; they were themselves the message.' (p.42) The daimonic realm is dream, it is the three pachas, it is the astral, and more. The daimonic realm cannot be pinned down. All daimonic phenomena dodge the opportunity to become a literal reality in which we can measure or test: ghosts, UFOs, the Loch Ness monster, Bigfoot, and so on. They all show up just so we can catch a glimpse, but we can never really get that verifiable evidence needed to have empirical proof. The picture is always hazy. The film grainy. The daimonic realm is amorphous, and that is its true power. We can never truly grasp it with our hands, but it lures us with an inner yearning to have more, to lift the veil and uncover the mystery. But that’s the thing about the daimonic realm: it is the mystery itself. Without mystery, there is no daimon. Without the daimon, there is no connection to the World Soul, which is the storehouse of all imagination."

Simon came to me during a time of crisis. I assumed at first he was just another figment of my imagination (as if that is anything to be taken lightly) that was eking its way into my vast array of story ideas for books, comics, and movies. Yet, Simon became more than a fictional character. Over time he grew into a veritable "imaginary friend," a daimonic ally that acted as a companion in times of need, when decisions needed to be made, etc. Like Socrates' own daimon, Simon has stuck with me and become more than a creative experiment. I wouldn't go so far as to say that "Simon is me," because he's not; but he is definitely a phenomenon linked to an aspect of my psyche that empowers, most especially, my esoteric/occult/metaphysical occupations.

Simon imitating occultist Austin Osman Spare

After numerous attempts to pen Simon Myth down in prose, including some short stories you can still find in one of my old blogs as well as about 3 full length novels that never saw print, I finally decided to put Simon in comic book form. Actually, my wife pushed me to it. After watching my dissatisfaction with how Simon was being expressed for years, she urged me time and again that Simon needs to be a visual experience. So, when I started hitting some success with my Psychonaut Presents comic series, Simon tapped me on the shoulder and whispered diligently in my ear, "Do it!"

Simon made his comic appearance in Psychonaut Presents #2, called "The Psychonautic Adventures of Simon Myth & Maxwell Echo III." This series of backup supplements (featured in Psychonaut Presents #2 - #4) acts as a prequel to my newly released series The Simon Myth Chronicles. You do not have to have read them to understand the series, but they are a nice addition, a flavorful appetizer before getting to the main course.

Simon Myth is a modern-day Gandalf, with magic, the occult, and all kinds of supernatural hubbub taking center stage in his adventures. He is a derivative of the legend Simon Magus, a religious figure who first was featured in the Holy Bible but later showed up in stories across Gnostic and even Druidic lore. Some say Simon Magus is a sort of godfather to Gnosticism, which is a theme playing center stage in The Simon Myth Chronicles. Gnosticism is a heretical spiritual movement which purports that the universe was actually created and is ruled by a lesser deity called the demiurge, a false god that is more of a warden of this prison we called "reality," rather than some sort of benevolent father-God. Although you may not see this idea heavily prevalent in the first issue of The Simon Myth Chronicles: Broken Chalice #1, you will experience this theme sprinkled throughout the Simon Myth story in issues to come. You may even see a stronger tie to Simon Magus, as well (wink, wink)!

Simon Myth pinup in Issue 1 by Matt Lesniewski

I couldn't be happier with the way Simon Myth is turning out! The first major storyline, Broken Chalice, is fully mapped out. You can get issue 1 today, with a pinup by Eisner-nominated artist Matt Lesniewski of Freak and Static fame. I am currently working on issue 2, which will come with a pinup by Power Comics artist Tony Lorenz, of Jontar fame! I am loving how this series is turning it and having an absolute blast in its creation!

As stated by writer Steele Filipek of Arcane, after reading issue 1:

"If you're a fan of Clive Barker or John Constantine, you're going to love this book! There's esoteric magic galore, and with the mysteries just beginning, it's the perfect time to jump in on this new series!"