Helix was a short-lived, science fiction

Science fiction

Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...

 and science fantasy

Science fantasy

Science fantasy is a mixed genre within speculative fiction drawing elements from both science fiction and fantasy. Although in some terms of its portrayal in recent media products it can be defined as instead of being a mixed genre of science fiction and fantasy it is instead a mixing of the...

 imprint

Imprint

In the publishing industry, an imprint can mean several different things:* As a piece of bibliographic information about a book, it refers to the name and address of the book's publisher and its date of publication as given at the foot or on the verso of its title page.* It can mean a trade name...

 of DC Comics

DC Comics

DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...

, launched in 1996 and discontinued in 1998. (In early promotional materials prior to the release of the first title, the imprint was called Matrix instead of Helix. It was renamed because of the then-upcoming film, The Matrix

The Matrix

The Matrix is a 1999 science fiction-action film written and directed by Larry and Andy Wachowski, starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano, and Hugo Weaving...

.) It featured a handful of ongoing monthly series, several limited series, and one short graphic novel.

Despite the involvement of successful SF/fantasy novelists Michael Moorcock

Michael Moorcock

Michael John Moorcock is an English writer, primarily of science fiction and fantasy, who has also published a number of literary novels....

, Lucius Shepard

Lucius Shepard

Lucius Shepard is an American writer. Classified as a science fiction and fantasy writer, he often leans into other genres, such as magical realism. His work is infused with a political and historical sensibility and an awareness of literary antecedents...

 and Christopher Hinz

Christopher Hinz

Christopher Hinz is an American writer best known for the Paratwa science fiction trilogy. Hinz has also written comic book for DC Comics and Marvel Comics. He won the Compton Crook Award in 1988 for his novel Liege-Killer....

, and established comics creators Howard Chaykin

Howard Chaykin

Howard Victor Chaykin is an American comic book writer and artist famous for his innovative storytelling and sometimes controversial material...

, Elaine Lee

Elaine Lee

Elaine Lee is an American actor, playwright, comic book colorist and comic book writer.-Theatre:She received a 1980 Daytime EMMY nomination for her role on NBC-TV’s The Doctors and was a founding member and artistic director of Manhattan-based theatre company, Wild Hair Productions.Wild Hair began...

, Matt Howarth

Matt Howarth

Matt Howarth is an American comic book writer/artist known for such series as Those Annoying Post Bros, Savage Henry, Star Crossed, and Bugtown....

, Warren Ellis

Warren Ellis

Warren Girard Ellis is an English author of comics, novels, and television, who is well-known for sociocultural commentary, both through his online presence and through his writing, which covers transhumanist themes...

, Walt Simonson

Walt Simonson

Walter "Walt" Simonson is an American comic book writer and artist. After studying geology at Amherst College, he transferred to the Rhode Island School of Design, graduating in 1972. His thesis project there was The Star Slammers, which was published as a black and white promotional comic book...

, and Garth Ennis

Garth Ennis

Garth Ennis is a Northern Irish comics writer, best known for the Vertigo series Preacher with artist Steve Dillon and his successful nine-year run on Marvel Comics' Punisher franchise...

, sales of the comic books were low, and most of the ongoing titles were cancelled after 12 or fewer issues. Ellis' Transmetropolitan

Transmetropolitan

Transmetropolitan is a cyberpunk comic book series written by Warren Ellis with art by Darick Robertson and published by DC Comics. The series was originally part of the short-lived DC Comics imprint Helix, but upon the end of the book's first year the series was moved to the Vertigo imprint as DC...

was switched to the Vertigo imprint, where it continued for several more years before reaching its planned conclusion. Ennis' Bloody Mary

Bloody Mary (Helix)

Bloody Mary is the title of a series of science fiction comic book limited series written by Garth Ennis and illustrated by Carlos Ezquerra. All of the series were published as part of DC Comics' Helix imprint. It is also the name of the main protagonist of the series.-Publication history:The...

mini-series and Michael Moorcock's Multiverse

Michael Moorcock's Multiverse

Michael Moorcock's Multiverse, is a twelve-issue comic book limited series published in 1997 as a part of the short-lived DC Comics imprint, Helix. It was later collected as a single edition graphic novel...

were later collected in Vertigo-label paperbacks and Moeller's Sheva's War

Sheva's War

Sheva's War is a five-issue fully painted limited series graphic novel published in 1998 and was the final title to be released under the short-lived DC Comics imprint, Helix....

was released as a graphic novel

Graphic novel

A graphic novel is a narrative work in which the story is conveyed to the reader using sequential art in either an experimental design or in a traditional comics format...

 paperback by Dark Horse

Dark Horse Comics

Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent American comic book and manga publisher.Dark Horse Comics was founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson in Milwaukie, Oregon, with the concept of establishing an ideal atmosphere for creative professionals. Richardson started out by opening his first comic book...

.

Limited availability of the books in bookstores that already sold science fiction, resistance among science-fiction readers to serialized monthly publication, the lower visibility of the line's deliberately muted cover color palette, and the lack of interest in genre SF among regular patrons of comic-book stores, were all cited by industry observers as factors in the imprint's demise.

Summary details of Helix titles

Book title	Issues	Writer	Artist(s)	Publication dates
The Black Lamb The Black Lamb The Black Lamb is a six-issue comic book limited series that takes place in a science fantasy setting. Published in late 1996 and early 1997 by DC Comics as part of their now defunct Helix imprint, the series was written and drawn by Tim Truman....	6	Timothy Truman Timothy Truman Timothy Truman is an American writer, artist and musician. He is best known for his stories and Wild West-style comic book art, and in particular, for his work on Grimjack , Scout, and the reinvention of Jonah Hex, with Joe R. Lansdale...	Timothy Truman Timothy Truman Timothy Truman is an American writer, artist and musician. He is best known for his stories and Wild West-style comic book art, and in particular, for his work on Grimjack , Scout, and the reinvention of Jonah Hex, with Joe R. Lansdale...	Nov 1996 - Apr 1997
Bloody Mary Bloody Mary (Helix) Bloody Mary is the title of a series of science fiction comic book limited series written by Garth Ennis and illustrated by Carlos Ezquerra. All of the series were published as part of DC Comics' Helix imprint. It is also the name of the main protagonist of the series.-Publication history:The...	4	Garth Ennis Garth Ennis Garth Ennis is a Northern Irish comics writer, best known for the Vertigo series Preacher with artist Steve Dillon and his successful nine-year run on Marvel Comics' Punisher franchise...	Carlos Ezquerra Carlos Ezquerra Carlos Sanchez Ezquerra , who has also worked under the alias L. John Silver, is a Spanish comics artist who works mainly in British comics and currently lives in Andorra...	Oct 1996 - Jan 1997
Bloody Mary Bloody Mary (Helix) Bloody Mary is the title of a series of science fiction comic book limited series written by Garth Ennis and illustrated by Carlos Ezquerra. All of the series were published as part of DC Comics' Helix imprint. It is also the name of the main protagonist of the series.-Publication history:The... : Lady Liberty	4	Garth Ennis Garth Ennis Garth Ennis is a Northern Irish comics writer, best known for the Vertigo series Preacher with artist Steve Dillon and his successful nine-year run on Marvel Comics' Punisher franchise...	Carlos Ezquerra Carlos Ezquerra Carlos Sanchez Ezquerra , who has also worked under the alias L. John Silver, is a Spanish comics artist who works mainly in British comics and currently lives in Andorra...	Sep 1997 - Dec 1997
BrainBanx BrainBanx BrainBanx is a six-issue comic book limited series published in 1997 as part of the short-lived DC Comics imprint, Helix. Written by Elaine Lee and featuring artwork by Jason Temujin Minor, the title narrates the tale of the red-headed Anna Elysian, a telepathic intelligence operative working...	6	Elaine Lee Elaine Lee Elaine Lee is an American actor, playwright, comic book colorist and comic book writer.-Theatre:She received a 1980 Daytime EMMY nomination for her role on NBC-TV’s The Doctors and was a founding member and artistic director of Manhattan-based theatre company, Wild Hair Productions.Wild Hair began...	Jason Temujin Minor	Mar 1997 - Aug 1997
Cyberella Cyberella Cyberella is a comic book series first published in 1996 as part of the short-lived DC Comics imprint, Helix. The title was initially scheduled to be an on-going monthly, but owing to poor sales figures for both it and the Helix line generally, was cancelled after twelve issues in 1997...	12	Howard Chaykin Howard Chaykin Howard Victor Chaykin is an American comic book writer and artist famous for his innovative storytelling and sometimes controversial material...	Don Cameron	Sep 1996 - Aug 1997
Dead Corps Dead Corps Dead Corps, subtitled Dead Corpse is a four-issue comic book mini-series published in 1998 under the short-lived DC Comics imprint, Helix...	4	Christopher Hinz Christopher Hinz Christopher Hinz is an American writer best known for the Paratwa science fiction trilogy. Hinz has also written comic book for DC Comics and Marvel Comics. He won the Compton Crook Award in 1988 for his novel Liege-Killer....	Steve Pugh Steve Pugh Steve Pugh is a British comic book artist who has worked for most of the major comic producers on both sides of the Atlantic: DC, Marvel, Dark Horse and 2000 AD.-Biography:...	Sep 1998 - Dec 1998
The Dome: Ground Zero The Dome: Ground Zero The Dome: Ground Zero, is a one-shot graphic novel published in 1998 under the short-lived DC Comics imprint, Helix. Written and laid out by Dave Gibbons and illustrated Angus McKie, The Dome was notable for its innovative use of computer-rendered graphics to augment McKie's illustrations...	1	Dave Gibbons Dave Gibbons Dave Gibbons is an English comic book artist, writer and sometime letterer. He is best known for his collaborations with writer Alan Moore, which include the miniseries Watchmen and the Superman story "For the Man Who Has Everything"...	Angus McKie Angus McKie Angus McKie is an artist who has worked as a colorist in the comics industry.He is best known as an English science fiction illustrator whose work appeared on the covers of numerous science fiction paperback novels in the mid 1970s and 1980s, as well as in Stewart Cowley's Terran Trade Authority...	1998
Gemini Blood Gemini Blood Gemini Blood is a nine-issue comic book series published by DC Comics under its Helix imprint. Dated from September 1996 to May 1997, the series was written by Christopher Hinz and illustrated by Tommy Lee Edwards...	9	Christopher Hinz Christopher Hinz Christopher Hinz is an American writer best known for the Paratwa science fiction trilogy. Hinz has also written comic book for DC Comics and Marvel Comics. He won the Compton Crook Award in 1988 for his novel Liege-Killer....	Tommy Lee Edwards Tommy Lee Edwards Tommy Lee Edwards is an American illustrator. Edwards' varied portfolio includes works created in the realm of comics, video-games, books, advertising, film, and animation.-Career:...	Sep 1996 - May 1997
Michael Moorcock's Multiverse Michael Moorcock's Multiverse Michael Moorcock's Multiverse, is a twelve-issue comic book limited series published in 1997 as a part of the short-lived DC Comics imprint, Helix. It was later collected as a single edition graphic novel...	12	Michael Moorcock Michael Moorcock Michael John Moorcock is an English writer, primarily of science fiction and fantasy, who has also published a number of literary novels....	Walter Simonson, Mark Reeve, John Ridgway John Ridgway (comic artist) John Ridgway is a British comics artist.-Career:Ridgway began his career initially as a hobby, drawing D.C.Thompson's Commando War Stories alongside professional work as a design engineer...	Nov 1997 - Oct 1998
Sheva's War Sheva's War Sheva's War is a five-issue fully painted limited series graphic novel published in 1998 and was the final title to be released under the short-lived DC Comics imprint, Helix....	5	Christopher Moeller Christopher Moeller Christopher Moeller is a writer and painter, specializing in fully painted graphic novels. Moeller's signature creation is the Iron Empires science-fiction universe, comprising two fully painted graphic novels Faith Conquers and Sheva's War, a short story in Dark Horse Presents, and a second in...	Christopher Moeller Christopher Moeller Christopher Moeller is a writer and painter, specializing in fully painted graphic novels. Moeller's signature creation is the Iron Empires science-fiction universe, comprising two fully painted graphic novels Faith Conquers and Sheva's War, a short story in Dark Horse Presents, and a second in...	Oct 1998 - Feb 1999
Star Crossed Star Crossed (comics) Star Crossed, is a three-issue comic book mini-series published in 1997 under the short-lived DC Comics imprint, Helix. Written and illustrated by Matt Howarth, Star Crossed recounts the surrealist tale of a deep-space romance between a genetically engineered über-woman and a sentient asteroid...	3	Matt Howarth Matt Howarth Matt Howarth is an American comic book writer/artist known for such series as Those Annoying Post Bros, Savage Henry, Star Crossed, and Bugtown....	Matt Howarth Matt Howarth Matt Howarth is an American comic book writer/artist known for such series as Those Annoying Post Bros, Savage Henry, Star Crossed, and Bugtown....	Jun 1997 - Aug 1997
Time Breakers Time Breakers Time Breakers, is a five-issue comic book limited series published in 1997 under the short-lived DC Comics imprint, Helix. It was written by Rachel Pollack and illustrated by Chris Weston....	5	Rachel Pollack Rachel Pollack Rachel Pollack is an American science fiction author, comic book writer, and expert on divinatory tarot...	Chris Weston Chris Weston Chris Weston is a British comics artist who has worked both in the US and UK comics industries.-Biography:Weston was born in January, 1969 in Rinteln, Germany, and lived in various countries as a child...	Jan 1997 - May 1997
Transmetropolitan Transmetropolitan Transmetropolitan is a cyberpunk comic book series written by Warren Ellis with art by Darick Robertson and published by DC Comics. The series was originally part of the short-lived DC Comics imprint Helix, but upon the end of the book's first year the series was moved to the Vertigo imprint as DC...	60	Warren Ellis Warren Ellis Warren Girard Ellis is an English author of comics, novels, and television, who is well-known for sociocultural commentary, both through his online presence and through his writing, which covers transhumanist themes...	Darick Robertson Darick Robertson Darick W. Robertson is an American artist best known for his work as a comic book illustrator. Highly prolific, Robertson has illustrated hundreds of comics in his twenty plus years in the industry. His body of work ranges from science fiction characters of his own creation to headlining on...	Sep 1997 - Nov 2002
Vermillion Vermillion (Helix) 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...	12	Lucius Shepard Lucius Shepard Lucius Shepard is an American writer. Classified as a science fiction and fantasy writer, he often leans into other genres, such as magical realism. His work is infused with a political and historical sensibility and an awareness of literary antecedents...	Al Davison, John Totleben John Totleben John Totleben is an American illustrator working mostly in comics.-Biography:After studying art at a vocational high school in Erie, Totleben attended The Kubert School for one year... , Gary Erskine Gary Erskine Gary Erskine is a Scottish comic book artist born in Paisley, near Glasgow in 1968.-Biography:Erskine started drawing work for fanzines while at art college and aspired to be a comic book artist. After sending samples of his work to Marvel UK he was eventually given Knights of Pendragon to draw on...	Oct 1996 - Sep 1997