Brandon Sanderson's Dark One and Dark One: Forgotten

Image taken from Brandon Sanderson YouTube Channel

For fans of fantasy and horror alike, Brandon Sanderson's Dark One series is an unexpected and thrilling dive into the dark, blurring the lines between villainy and heroism, reality and myth. Released as both a graphic novel and an audio drama, Dark One and Dark One: Forgotten explore the shadows within us, making them perfect for the Halloween season.

Dark One: A Hero-Villain Origin Story

The Dark One graphic novel, a creative collaboration between Sanderson, Jackson Lanzing, and Collin Kelly, introduces us to Paul Tanasin, a young man from our world who has long been plagued by visions of another realm. In this parallel world, known as Mirandus, he’s not a savior or chosen hero but rather destined to be the dreaded Dark One—a villain foretold to bring chaos and destruction. However, this destiny is far from straightforward. As he grapples with his identity and inner darkness, Paul is pulled into Mirandus and forced to confront the horrific prophecy that others believe him destined to fulfill.

Dark One challenges our perceptions of what it means to be "good" or "evil," revealing that morality is often shaped by those who wield power and by the expectations that society places on us. Paul’s journey is complex and multidimensional, and the graphic novel format beautifully captures this darkness and internal struggle. With gorgeously rendered, often foreboding artwork that vividly illustrates the terrifying world of Mirandus, the story explores themes of destiny, identity, and power, immersing readers in a high-stakes battle between light and dark. The artwork and storytelling style make it an ideal read for Halloween, offering dark, atmospheric visuals and a brooding tale that asks how much of our fate is truly in our control.

Dark One: Forgotten: A Mystery Wrapped in Fantasy

Taking the world of Dark One a step further, Sanderson with the help of Dan Wells expands his storytelling with the audio drama Dark One: Forgotten. This story veers away from Paul’s main arc, instead delving into the experiences of a young investigative journalist named Lin Yang, who is drawn to an unsolved murder. She begins to piece together the mystery surrounding an enigmatic and terrifying figure from the otherworldly realm of Mirandus, tying her findings to events that defy rational explanation.

As Lin uncovers more details, she is confronted with the dark truth about Mirandus and its link to our own world, discovering just how deeply these two worlds intertwine. While Dark One: Forgotten functions as a standalone piece, it’s also the perfect companion to the graphic novel, adding layers to the world-building of Mirandus while drawing readers into an eerie Halloween-worthy mystery that escalates into the supernatural. The audio format plays with soundscapes and voice acting to create an immersive experience that feels unsettlingly real, enhancing the suspense and sense of dread.

Dark One is Perfect for Halloween

Both Dark One and Dark One: Forgotten lean into the haunting and mysterious, making them ideal Halloween reads for several reasons:

1. Dark Exploration of Identity: Paul’s journey into his potential role as a villain and Lin’s deep dive into a sinister mystery compel us to face our own fears about identity, destiny, and the parts of ourselves we’d rather not acknowledge. Halloween is, after all, a time for exploring both the supernatural and the shadowy corners of human nature.

2. Atmosphere and Mood: The artwork in Dark One and the sound design in Dark One: Forgotten create an immersive atmosphere that draws readers into worlds filled with danger and despair. These elements make both the graphic novel and the audio drama perfect for a late-night, Halloween binge.

3. Themes of Fate and Horror: Halloween stories often center around inevitable fate, haunted pasts, and the struggle between good and evil. Sanderson plays with these tropes in unexpected ways, offering a unique spin on the “chosen one” narrative. He weaves horror into the storyline through the suspenseful pacing and psychological depth that make readers question their own alignment in the dichotomy of light and dark.

Brandon Sanderson’s Dark One and Dark One: Forgotte are more than just horror-fantasy stories; they’re reflections on destiny and the duality of human nature. Whether you're a graphic novel aficionado or an audio drama enthusiast, both are perfect picks to usher in a season of thrills, mystery, and just a touch of the sinister. So, as the nights grow longer, prepare yourself to explore the shadowed realms of Mirandus, where nothing is as simple as it seems, and even heroes might be villains in disguise.