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Nocterra #1-6
Nocterra, Vol. 1: Full Throttle Dark
It’s been 10 years since Val Riggs saw the sun swallowed up by darkness. Ten years since nearly everyone she knew was infected and changed into hideous shades. Now a ferryman providing transport for people and goods, she traverses the deadly unlit roads in her eighteen-wheeler, taking on whatever evils the night provides. When the promise of an illuminated sanctuary crosses her path, Val must undergo a journey far beyond the limits of any ferryman before her. But with a loved one in the throes of infection, time is running short…
Legendary creators SCOTT SNYDER (Dark Knights: Death Metal, WYTCHES) and TONY S. DANIEL (Batman, Deathstroke) unveil horrors beyond any shade in this pulse-pounding new ONGOING SERIES.
Collects NOCTERRA #1-6
Legendary creators SCOTT SNYDER (Dark Knights: Death Metal, WYTCHES) and TONY S. DANIEL (Batman, Deathstroke) unveil horrors beyond any shade in this pulse-pounding new ONGOING SERIES.
Collects NOCTERRA #1-6
159 pages, ebook
First published October 19, 2021
About the author
Scott Snyder
1,694 books4,777 followersScott Snyder is the Eisner and Harvey Award winning writer on DC Comics Batman, Swamp Thing, and his original series for Vertigo, American Vampire. He is also the author of the short story collection, Voodoo Heart, published by the Dial Press in 2006. The paperback version was published in the summer of 2007.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
September 22, 2024
(A-) 82% | Very Good
Notes: Can feel verbose, though still engrossing, hell on wheels, great shock reveals, cool twist on plague (if concept-vague).
Notes: Can feel verbose, though still engrossing, hell on wheels, great shock reveals, cool twist on plague (if concept-vague).
May 25, 2022
Snyder really does well when he's neck-deep in the horror genre.
He's good at coming up with terrifying situations that, no matter how fantastical, are still rooted in human emotions.
Nocterra is no exception.
There's an apocalyptic horror story happening here and I appreciate the creativity that went into designing the world and its rules.
A young girl who was mostly blind has surgery to correct her sight and is adopted into a good home. She gains a younger brother and two loving parents.
Then the world goes dark for everyone.
And this time around it's not just what's coming out of the dark to get you, it's that if you are out in the dark with no light source, you will slowly turn into something other yourself.
Something evil.
I don't want to spoil anything, but this was an incredible first volume, and I am all the way on board for whatever is happening next.
Highly Recommended!
He's good at coming up with terrifying situations that, no matter how fantastical, are still rooted in human emotions.
Nocterra is no exception.
There's an apocalyptic horror story happening here and I appreciate the creativity that went into designing the world and its rules.
A young girl who was mostly blind has surgery to correct her sight and is adopted into a good home. She gains a younger brother and two loving parents.
Then the world goes dark for everyone.
And this time around it's not just what's coming out of the dark to get you, it's that if you are out in the dark with no light source, you will slowly turn into something other yourself.
Something evil.
I don't want to spoil anything, but this was an incredible first volume, and I am all the way on board for whatever is happening next.
Highly Recommended!
April 30, 2022
An interesting Mad Max style comic where the sun is gone and everything in the dark has mutated into monsters. Combine that with a trucker theme and you have a winner. Loved Val's character. She's a badass. The action is great. If I had a complaint, it'd be the generic world-building of what's behind the sun disappearing. It's all very vague and knowing Snyder, it'll be REALLY convoluted and confusing when it is revealed. Tony Daniel and Tomeu Morey's art is fantastic.
October 15, 2021
Everything about this book is fine. The story is fine, the characters are okay, the art is fine.
(That said, my kingdom for an artist who can draw a scary monster, and not just another black jagged thing with teeth and claws..)
It's almost as if Snyder had a checklist of ingredients next to his laptop, ticking them off while writing.
It never feels particularly inspired, I'm not really that invested in the story.
tl;dr version: it's okay
(Picked up an ARC through Edelweiss)
(That said, my kingdom for an artist who can draw a scary monster, and not just another black jagged thing with teeth and claws..)
It's almost as if Snyder had a checklist of ingredients next to his laptop, ticking them off while writing.
It never feels particularly inspired, I'm not really that invested in the story.
tl;dr version: it's okay
(Picked up an ARC through Edelweiss)
October 20, 2021
This was a really fun surprise.
In a world where the light is gone, and plunged into darkness, we have a world where people can transform into monsters if the darkness takes over them. In this we have our main lead, Val, who actually was legally blind prior to the events. Now set in a world filled with darkness, she feels she has the power to survive with her little brother. In this post apocalyptical world we have Val take a job against her better judgement, which leads to a man in all black (like his whole body is just completely black save his teeth) now chasing them.
This was a lot of fun. From the kickass action, to Val being a badass, to the lore and world be interesting I really dug this. Scott Snyder stepping away from DC helped him a lot it seems because this is more inline with the Snyder I grew up loving. I also really liked the ending, as it doesn't end on a "happy" note and we might be more fucked than we imagined. I really hope this continues to be a strong series.
A 4 out of 5.
In a world where the light is gone, and plunged into darkness, we have a world where people can transform into monsters if the darkness takes over them. In this we have our main lead, Val, who actually was legally blind prior to the events. Now set in a world filled with darkness, she feels she has the power to survive with her little brother. In this post apocalyptical world we have Val take a job against her better judgement, which leads to a man in all black (like his whole body is just completely black save his teeth) now chasing them.
This was a lot of fun. From the kickass action, to Val being a badass, to the lore and world be interesting I really dug this. Scott Snyder stepping away from DC helped him a lot it seems because this is more inline with the Snyder I grew up loving. I also really liked the ending, as it doesn't end on a "happy" note and we might be more fucked than we imagined. I really hope this continues to be a strong series.
A 4 out of 5.
December 2, 2021
In the Pitch Dark Post-Apocalpyse, it's the truckers who will save us...
"What's your Demonic 10-20, over?"
More to come...
"What's your Demonic 10-20, over?"
More to come...
January 4, 2023
*Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.*
"This is a story about all the things we can't see."
Imagine Geoff Johns' Geiger, Vol. 1 but written by Scott Snyder instead and you'll get this comic! It was so similar I had major déjà vu whilst reading this; the plot was basically exactly the same. The main difference was that Scott Snyder was clearly the more accomplished writer and I found his narrative was more emotional and poetic (although perhaps a little repetitive by the end) and that added a layer to this comic that caused it to surpass Geiger, Vol. 1.
The characters were all pretty meh or generic except for the antagonist. Blacktop Bill was a fantastic antagonist with a terrible name. His design was unique and intriguing: a simple black silhouette with only teeth visible—I imagine that design was a much-welcomed break for Tony S. Daniel and Tomeu Morey who probably worked overtime drawing and colouring all the faces in this vol so beautifully and exquisitely. And on top of all that, Blacktop Bill’s quippy dialogue and absolute craziness made me smile as I was reading this. Every panel with him in it was a success!
Ironically enough, despite all the exposition—and there was quite a lot of exposition—this comic never got around to explaining the basics like what all those weird light related terms like "lux" and whatever meant. I guess that will be something to look forward to in vol 2 at least.
"This is a story about all the things we can't see."
Imagine Geoff Johns' Geiger, Vol. 1 but written by Scott Snyder instead and you'll get this comic! It was so similar I had major déjà vu whilst reading this; the plot was basically exactly the same. The main difference was that Scott Snyder was clearly the more accomplished writer and I found his narrative was more emotional and poetic (although perhaps a little repetitive by the end) and that added a layer to this comic that caused it to surpass Geiger, Vol. 1.
The characters were all pretty meh or generic except for the antagonist. Blacktop Bill was a fantastic antagonist with a terrible name. His design was unique and intriguing: a simple black silhouette with only teeth visible—I imagine that design was a much-welcomed break for Tony S. Daniel and Tomeu Morey who probably worked overtime drawing and colouring all the faces in this vol so beautifully and exquisitely. And on top of all that, Blacktop Bill’s quippy dialogue and absolute craziness made me smile as I was reading this. Every panel with him in it was a success!
Ironically enough, despite all the exposition—and there was quite a lot of exposition—this comic never got around to explaining the basics like what all those weird light related terms like "lux" and whatever meant. I guess that will be something to look forward to in vol 2 at least.
October 8, 2021
The world is blanketed in darkness, and a terrible disease mutates anyone left alone in the dark. A girl finds herself driving her big rig across country with one goal in mind - save her diseased brother, no matter what it takes.
Scott Snyder is a name that's synonymous with good comics at this point, and Nocterra is another clear reason why. He sets the scene nicely, expanding on the history of this world through flashbacks and intense monologues from the main character, giving the reader something to chew over while the present day plot barrels ahead at 9000 miles an hour because of the urgency of their plight.
There's certainly a sense that there's more to come here - the mythology of Nocterra is explained fairly well, but even as this first arc comes to a close we can see that we've only just scratched the surface.
And of course the book looks great because Tony Daniel's on art. His visuals are always on point if sometimes a bit static, but that's not the case here since everything is in constant motion. It's nice to see him drawing something other than a Bat-Person as well for a change.
Nocterra's first arc is a great start. Sharp, tight writing and visceral artwork creates a world that I'm both excited and scared to revist. My only worry is that it'll disappear from our rear view mirror because Snyder and Daniel have better things to do - looking at you, Wytches. (I'd say American Vampire too, but that's finished, at last!)
Scott Snyder is a name that's synonymous with good comics at this point, and Nocterra is another clear reason why. He sets the scene nicely, expanding on the history of this world through flashbacks and intense monologues from the main character, giving the reader something to chew over while the present day plot barrels ahead at 9000 miles an hour because of the urgency of their plight.
There's certainly a sense that there's more to come here - the mythology of Nocterra is explained fairly well, but even as this first arc comes to a close we can see that we've only just scratched the surface.
And of course the book looks great because Tony Daniel's on art. His visuals are always on point if sometimes a bit static, but that's not the case here since everything is in constant motion. It's nice to see him drawing something other than a Bat-Person as well for a change.
Nocterra's first arc is a great start. Sharp, tight writing and visceral artwork creates a world that I'm both excited and scared to revist. My only worry is that it'll disappear from our rear view mirror because Snyder and Daniel have better things to do - looking at you, Wytches. (I'd say American Vampire too, but that's finished, at last!)
October 31, 2021
Really intriguing world Snyder and Daniels are creating here. Unique enough not to feel derivative (if you know what I mean). Enjoying getting to know Val, not quite so interested in the secondary characters (who fee a lot more like NPCs).
Dark world (seriously). Lots of good thinking about what life’s like once sunlight is gone.
Just a little disappointed by the info dump in issue 6, like they couldn’t decide whether to wrap this up or launch an new storyline from here. Felt a little like the end of a movie that you can just tell they’ve structured as a trilogy. Maybe if it didn’t feel like a six-issue climax I’d feel better about this. But it won’t stop me from reading the next trade when it drops next year.
Buddy read with the Shallows
Dark world (seriously). Lots of good thinking about what life’s like once sunlight is gone.
Just a little disappointed by the info dump in issue 6, like they couldn’t decide whether to wrap this up or launch an new storyline from here. Felt a little like the end of a movie that you can just tell they’ve structured as a trilogy. Maybe if it didn’t feel like a six-issue climax I’d feel better about this. But it won’t stop me from reading the next trade when it drops next year.
Buddy read with the Shallows
January 10, 2022
The single most “okay” Scott Snyder book I have ever touched. Everything is just fine and passable, while also never managing to be neccessarily exciting per se. Out of all of Snyder’s creator owned work, this is probably my least favorite. Will not be reading the second arc anytime soon.
October 21, 2021
Nocterra shows the world after a catastrophe that has plunged it into a paralyzing darkness. The survivors try to adapt to everything, but it's not easy. Val Riggs, call sign Sundog , provides transportation for people and goods. She's a badass character who can handle the atrocities that hide in the omnipresent darkness.
I like the blend of styles and sci-fi and horror elements. I am not sure I crazy about monsters, though. Sure, they are scary, but we have all seen raggedy shadows with claws and teeth.
On the other hand, it's fast-paced and fun to follow. So, there's that.
The art by Tony Daniel and Tomeu Morey is amazing. I was blown away by the detailed characterizations, the fully imagined world, and the bold, rich colors. Every single image is great.
All in all, an intriguing series that I will be happy to follow.
I like the blend of styles and sci-fi and horror elements. I am not sure I crazy about monsters, though. Sure, they are scary, but we have all seen raggedy shadows with claws and teeth.
On the other hand, it's fast-paced and fun to follow. So, there's that.
The art by Tony Daniel and Tomeu Morey is amazing. I was blown away by the detailed characterizations, the fully imagined world, and the bold, rich colors. Every single image is great.
All in all, an intriguing series that I will be happy to follow.
May 2, 2022
Cavolo quanto sono divertenti i fumetti di Snyder! Sono davvero felice di essermi letto Nocterra e anche se so che forse finirà peggio di come è iniziato, sono entusiasta all'idea di continuare questo viaggio.
May 22, 2022
This is a slick looking dystopian action comic. The world building has a layer of depth I wasn't expecting. Overall a pretty decent read.
October 17, 2021
I guess Scott Snyder is really bringing out some brand synergy because I see plot elements shared with We Have Demons in here. Fortunately, this series has a unique identity in how a world changes. It really brings out how the things we as readers take for granted can fundamentally change us. Only this goes the next level with a post-apocalypse style society that for once isn't total anarchy. Instead people are still just trying to live with what little they've got. Which really points out a surviving vs thriving mindset as well as consequences and inheritance. Our main characters have been fighting and surviving all of their lives.
That in turn brings up the dynamic with POV protagonist Val Riggs and her adoptive brother Emory. Val's life was always changing, always uncertain including the day she was adopted, got surgery to see like the rest of many other people, and of course the sun's light (but not heat) going out. She's a natural survivor who always tries to keep her guard up and tries to minimize her risks.
Then there's Emory, since childhood he's always been an idealist. But unlike Val, there were times when these changes overwhelmed him. When hope seemed lost, when survival just wasn't enough for him, he was ready to just let it end. Emory wants to believe in something bigger but can't find it in a simpler and more dangerous world. In a different context, he might've been seen as greedy; fortunately here while it's not a great thing he does provide some hope to Val.
And then there's the world of Nocterra. There're cultures thriving in the outposts, full of life and remembrance of who was lost. Best of all no one's completely into the whole every man for himself mentality that plagues the genre so much, not even the apparent tribalism. There are things that go wrong but finding those places of hope are such sublime experiences.
That in turn brings up the dynamic with POV protagonist Val Riggs and her adoptive brother Emory. Val's life was always changing, always uncertain including the day she was adopted, got surgery to see like the rest of many other people, and of course the sun's light (but not heat) going out. She's a natural survivor who always tries to keep her guard up and tries to minimize her risks.
Then there's Emory, since childhood he's always been an idealist. But unlike Val, there were times when these changes overwhelmed him. When hope seemed lost, when survival just wasn't enough for him, he was ready to just let it end. Emory wants to believe in something bigger but can't find it in a simpler and more dangerous world. In a different context, he might've been seen as greedy; fortunately here while it's not a great thing he does provide some hope to Val.
And then there's the world of Nocterra. There're cultures thriving in the outposts, full of life and remembrance of who was lost. Best of all no one's completely into the whole every man for himself mentality that plagues the genre so much, not even the apparent tribalism. There are things that go wrong but finding those places of hope are such sublime experiences.
August 25, 2022
Relatively mindless apocalyptic fun. Scott Snyder does a decent job of introducing the landscape and the stakes, though the characters are all painfully generic. A mysterious event has caused the sun to go dark and humans (and animals) to become monstrous shades. Many years after the big lights out, Val drives an eighteen-wheeler between safe harbors rigged up with lots of lights. An old man and his young ward hire Val to take them to a place that might be able to turn the lights back on.
Additionally, Val's brother catches the monster disease and there's a black-suited villain on their tail. So far, so generic. Scott Snyder does sprinkle in some world-building out of Death Metal: scientists have discovered various spectra of light, some that harm and some that heal. I'm guessing those will be key down the line.
Even with the genericness, the story is well crafted and fast paced. Tony S. Daniels does a fine job with the art. I had fun, I guess, but I'm not exactly rushing to the shelves for the next volume.
Additionally, Val's brother catches the monster disease and there's a black-suited villain on their tail. So far, so generic. Scott Snyder does sprinkle in some world-building out of Death Metal: scientists have discovered various spectra of light, some that harm and some that heal. I'm guessing those will be key down the line.
Even with the genericness, the story is well crafted and fast paced. Tony S. Daniels does a fine job with the art. I had fun, I guess, but I'm not exactly rushing to the shelves for the next volume.
December 8, 2021
Ok... been a while since I rated a comic 5 stars... But with Snyder on story and Tony Daniel on art.... how could this be any less than that?!
I'm going to keep most of this to myself, as I want you to read it, but Blacktop Bill is destined to be an epic comic villain. And Val "Sundog" Riggs, is an absolute badass.
Go read this.
High recommend.
Where's Volume 2?
I'm going to keep most of this to myself, as I want you to read it, but Blacktop Bill is destined to be an epic comic villain. And Val "Sundog" Riggs, is an absolute badass.
Go read this.
High recommend.
Where's Volume 2?
November 22, 2021
Типовий нудний комікс від Скотта Снайдера, сюжет відчувається дещо затягнутим, а антагоніст це прям чиста калька з Бет Хохотуна. А от малюнок Деніала порадував.
January 31, 2022
This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 3.0 of 5
This is a post-apocalyptic story. Darkness is everywhere and has been that way for ten years. In that ten years, Val Riggs has seen nearly everyone she knows become 'infected' and changed shapes into hideous, grotesque creatures. Val now works as a 'ferryman' - driving an eighteen-wheeler big rig, transporting people and goods through the eternal night. It's a dangerous job as there are those who see transporters as opportunities for fresh flesh and merchandise.
There must be something special about the current passenger load as Val is now up against one of the most dangerous men she's ever faced. A man all in black who seems every bit as capable as she is in navigating the darkness. But Val is racing the clock as well as the man in black as someone she loves is in the early days of the infection and she's learned that there's a Sanctuary that may be able to help ... if she can get there.
This book is very, very ... average.
The first chapter (or issue as this is a collection of comic book issues) really caught my attention. I was hooked and really interested to read on. Unfortunately it leveled off at this point. Writer Scott Snyder works to build on the story, giving us the real episodic experience where each chapter ends with a new revelation, urging us to read on.
But while the chapter ends with a bit of a cliff-hanger, the story never really builds. There's some action and excitement and the man in black poses some serious threat, but the story never really grabs.
The characters are decent, stock characters that you might find in any post-apocalyptic story, but again, they don't stand out as unique or fascinating in any special way.
Ironically, I'd also read Geiger, Vol 1 about the same time that I read this and with that one I found character growth and multiple storylines that had me anxious to follow each of them and to see how they would overlap. Here we're focused primarily on the one story, with a little detour to the man in black, and the characters may grow anxious, but there isn't much character growth.
The art was fine, but again, very average.
Looking for a good book? There's nothing wrong with Nocterra, Vol. 1, a graphic novel by Scott Snyder and Tony S Daniel, it just doesn't rise above the pool of post-apocalyptic stories on the bookshelves.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.
This is a post-apocalyptic story. Darkness is everywhere and has been that way for ten years. In that ten years, Val Riggs has seen nearly everyone she knows become 'infected' and changed shapes into hideous, grotesque creatures. Val now works as a 'ferryman' - driving an eighteen-wheeler big rig, transporting people and goods through the eternal night. It's a dangerous job as there are those who see transporters as opportunities for fresh flesh and merchandise.
There must be something special about the current passenger load as Val is now up against one of the most dangerous men she's ever faced. A man all in black who seems every bit as capable as she is in navigating the darkness. But Val is racing the clock as well as the man in black as someone she loves is in the early days of the infection and she's learned that there's a Sanctuary that may be able to help ... if she can get there.
This book is very, very ... average.
The first chapter (or issue as this is a collection of comic book issues) really caught my attention. I was hooked and really interested to read on. Unfortunately it leveled off at this point. Writer Scott Snyder works to build on the story, giving us the real episodic experience where each chapter ends with a new revelation, urging us to read on.
But while the chapter ends with a bit of a cliff-hanger, the story never really builds. There's some action and excitement and the man in black poses some serious threat, but the story never really grabs.
The characters are decent, stock characters that you might find in any post-apocalyptic story, but again, they don't stand out as unique or fascinating in any special way.
Ironically, I'd also read Geiger, Vol 1 about the same time that I read this and with that one I found character growth and multiple storylines that had me anxious to follow each of them and to see how they would overlap. Here we're focused primarily on the one story, with a little detour to the man in black, and the characters may grow anxious, but there isn't much character growth.
The art was fine, but again, very average.
Looking for a good book? There's nothing wrong with Nocterra, Vol. 1, a graphic novel by Scott Snyder and Tony S Daniel, it just doesn't rise above the pool of post-apocalyptic stories on the bookshelves.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review.
November 13, 2021
A bit of a dim start to what could be a shining series.
A pair of adopted siblings just trying to survive eternal darkness! After an event called the PM covers the world in darkness, two kids grow up to be truckers that are hoping to find somewhere safe enough to settle down for good. Also people turn into shade monsters.
I am having a tough time deciding how much I liked this comic. It’s cliche but does it well enough that you don’t mind it being predictable. At the same time, I wish it wasn’t as wordy as it is. Lots of the same stories retold, some seem to be a distraction so you can’t tell how simple/easy the story transitions are. You don’t see it as much when you read it in issues, month to month. In a volume, it’s a little much. However! There were a few things that I did really enjoy. The art being the main one. You would think that by issue 3/4 the art would start to lag or maybe feel rushed but the art stays consistent and I really liked the character designs. Valentina was probably my favorite of the group. There were moments were I thought of Rick Remender Death or Glory, seeing some similarities. I think Snyder did it better.
Some of the story is a little dragged out but obviously they are going to do more. Will probably read them in issues again.
A pair of adopted siblings just trying to survive eternal darkness! After an event called the PM covers the world in darkness, two kids grow up to be truckers that are hoping to find somewhere safe enough to settle down for good. Also people turn into shade monsters.
I am having a tough time deciding how much I liked this comic. It’s cliche but does it well enough that you don’t mind it being predictable. At the same time, I wish it wasn’t as wordy as it is. Lots of the same stories retold, some seem to be a distraction so you can’t tell how simple/easy the story transitions are. You don’t see it as much when you read it in issues, month to month. In a volume, it’s a little much. However! There were a few things that I did really enjoy. The art being the main one. You would think that by issue 3/4 the art would start to lag or maybe feel rushed but the art stays consistent and I really liked the character designs. Valentina was probably my favorite of the group. There were moments were I thought of Rick Remender Death or Glory, seeing some similarities. I think Snyder did it better.
Some of the story is a little dragged out but obviously they are going to do more. Will probably read them in issues again.
May 18, 2022
Usually I wouldn't go anywhere near a book that sorta kindof is about zombies that breed by sorta kindof sucking face like the alien/s in the extremely well known feature films, or even a kindof Starro type face sucker character...
Anyway normally I wouldn't touch a book like this...
But Scott Snyder is a favorite writer of mine and Tony S. Daniel is a favorite artist of mine... and on top of all that a US cover price of 9.99 or the Canadian (my country) cover price of $13 and change was to good to pass up. Oh and a free autographed sticker by both.
As for the plot it is basically a cliche bad zombie blob shaped monster story, only it's done so efficiently, so skillfully written that it totally had me turning page after page, chapter after chapter.
Is it good enough that I wanna read that next volume so wonderfully teased with a "to be continued" on the final page? I dunno but if volume 2 is similar inexpensive at $13 CAD then it's really hard to say no.
Bottom line Scott Snyder is a fantastic writer, if you've enjoyed is DC hero books you will like this, if you've never read anything by Scott Snyder, this is a good starting point!
Anyway normally I wouldn't touch a book like this...
But Scott Snyder is a favorite writer of mine and Tony S. Daniel is a favorite artist of mine... and on top of all that a US cover price of 9.99 or the Canadian (my country) cover price of $13 and change was to good to pass up. Oh and a free autographed sticker by both.
As for the plot it is basically a cliche bad zombie blob shaped monster story, only it's done so efficiently, so skillfully written that it totally had me turning page after page, chapter after chapter.
Is it good enough that I wanna read that next volume so wonderfully teased with a "to be continued" on the final page? I dunno but if volume 2 is similar inexpensive at $13 CAD then it's really hard to say no.
Bottom line Scott Snyder is a fantastic writer, if you've enjoyed is DC hero books you will like this, if you've never read anything by Scott Snyder, this is a good starting point!
Read
October 28, 2021Ten years ago, the sky went dark. Not normal dark, but dark which gradually turned any life left unlit into monsters. Now, brightly lit enclaves of humanity are connected by the Ferrymen in their modified trucks... What I kept thinking as I read this was that, you remember all those cheap, unfaithful Stephen King films you used to get? And then sometimes they'd get entirely King-free sequels? This feels like someone trying to do one of those while also cashing in on Mad Max. Yeah, some aspects are pointedly modern - the hope that, while the old world is never coming back, maybe a new and better one can be built (ha!); the cabal of evil rich people whose plot doesn't even make sense in capitalist terms - but all the same, it would be much more at home caught on TV in the early nineties, and persevered with simply because we didn't have so many screen options back then. And that despite sharing the endemic problem of high concept Image launches where we're barely given time to sniff the texture of a new or altered world before we're supposed to invest in a grand story of its origins and how to change it.
(Edelweiss ARC)
(Edelweiss ARC)
June 5, 2022
Elephant in the room, I can't be the only that is just reading this because I have a crush on Val.
Snyder is elite, but this is basically a netflix or prime pitch and nothing original here. Also Val's narration takes up way too much real estate in the panels and this is a series where the Art is the highlight. Tell the story through art, not red boxes of text
But yeah, Val is hawt and not in a silly Top Cow way (just being honest), so can't wait for future volumes
Snyder is elite, but this is basically a netflix or prime pitch and nothing original here. Also Val's narration takes up way too much real estate in the panels and this is a series where the Art is the highlight. Tell the story through art, not red boxes of text
But yeah, Val is hawt and not in a silly Top Cow way (just being honest), so can't wait for future volumes
October 18, 2021
This is a very interesting and unique story. A different type of post-apocalyptic tale than what we normally see. It is set in a world that goes dark (literally) while any living creature is turned into some sort of "dark" monster.
Great artwork. Great writing. I'm looking forward to the continuation of this story.
Great artwork. Great writing. I'm looking forward to the continuation of this story.
May 19, 2022
To read my full review click here to go to No Flying No Tights. This was an interesting take on a post-apocalypse and I'm inclined to see what happens in the next volume, but I'm not racing out to find it.
May 30, 2022
Not bad, but nothing special, either. I like the artwork. The world imagined here is just a bit on the generic side, without any explanation (which is probably coming somewhere down the road, but still, it might be nice to have a little more grounding at the start). I'd read more of this if it came along...
January 7, 2024
Mad max meets 90's comic art meets the talent of Scott Snyder who basically steals Stephen Kings biggest bad and puts him in a whole new story = an entertaining read.
December 15, 2021
With a poetic narrative by Scott Snyder and great art by Tony Daniel this post apocalyptix story is worth reading.
February 27, 2023
Inhalt:
Das Licht geht aus, NIEMAND geht nach Haus‘ Es ist zehn Jahre her, dass Val Riggs mitansehen musste, wie die Sonne von der Dunkelheit verschluckt wurde. Fast jeder, den sie kannte und liebte, wurde infiziert und in groteske Schattengestalten verwandelt. In der Rolle eines „Fährmanns“ transportiert sie Menschen sowie Waren und heizt mit ihrem mächtigen Gefährt über die tödlichen unbeleuchteten Straßen – die Übel der Nacht stets dicht auf ihren Fersen. Als sie das Versprechen auf einen beleuchteten Zufluchtsort erreicht, muss Val zu einer Reise aufbrechen, die ihr alles abverlangen wird. Doch ihr läuft die Zeit davon: Eine geliebte Person an ihrer Seite ist bereits infiziert … Die Comiclegenden Scott Snyder (Dark Knights: Death Metal, Wytches, Undiscovered country) und Tony S. Daniel (Batman, Deathstroke) entfesseln in dieser aufregenden neuen Horrorserie unvergleichliche Schrecken aus den dunkelsten Ecken der menschlichen Vorstellungskraft.
Quelle: cross-cult.de
Meinung:
Das Cover hat mich sofort neugierig gemacht. Es sieht düster aus und mit den Monstern merkt man gleich um welche Art von Comic es sich hier handelt.
Der Zeichenstil ist wirklich toll, ich mag den sehr. Alles ist klar gezeichnet und vor allem die Monster sehen super aus. Der Schreibstil war auch gut und ich war komplett in der Welt drinnen.
Zu Beginn lernt man Val kennen, die Menschen gegen Geld von einem Ort zum anderen bringt. Sie weiß, wie sie in der Dunkelheit überlebt, doch als sie einen speziellen Auftrag annimmt wird sie plötzlich verfolgt und als wäre das noch nicht genug, ist ein von ihr geliebter Mensch infiziert.
Der Einstieg hat mir wirklich gut gefallen, denn alles beginnt mit einer groben Erklärung, was die Dunkelheit ist, wer Val ist und was damals geschehen ist. Dadurch weiß man nicht alles, aber genug und den Rest findet man im Laufe des Comics heraus. Mir gefiel es, dass man mit einem Rückblick staret und so nicht direkt in die Geschichte geworfen wird.
Val fand ich als Charakter toll, denn man merkt ihr an, dass sie es nicht leicht hatte im Leben. Sie ist abgestumpft und lässt sich nicht mehr so einfach beeundrucken. Einzig bei ihrem Bruder zeigt sie noch Gefühle und das sind auch nicht grade viele. Im Laufe der Geschichte lernt man sie aber immer besser kennen und dann versteht man auch, wieso sie so ist, wie sie ist.
Grundsätzlich geht es darum, dass Val zwei Menschen zu einem Ort bringen soll, an dem man auch ihrem Bruder helfen kann, denn dieser ist infiziert. Die Reise dorthin dauert lange, noch dazu kommt jemand, der sie verfolgt. Ich habe nicht mit dieser Art Geschichte gerechnet, denn man hat jetzt nicht nur die Mutationen, sondern auch noch die Menschen, die zur Gefahr werden. Ich fand den Antagonisten genial, denn er ist anders als alle anderen und man erfährt noch nicht wirklich warum, außerdem zeigt er keine Gnade und ist ein wahrer Sadist. Zwischendurch dachte ich wirklich schon, dass es mit Val vorbei ist, aber sie ist einfallsreich und konnte immer entkommen.
Die Handlung rund um ihren Bruder, der infiziert ist, war ebenso gut. Man kann verfolgen, wie er sich immer weiter verändert und bangt zusammen mit Val, ob sie es rechtzeitig schaffen und ob er wirklich Hilfe bekommen kannt. Zusätzlich sieht man auch in den Rückblicken wie damals die Dunkelheit Einfluss auf alle Lebewesen genommen hat und wie es da zu Beginn der Langen Nacht ausgesehen hat. Das war eine wirklich gute Ergänzung zur Geschichte.
Das Ende kam teils erwartet und teils unerwartet. Man konnte sich ein paar Dinge denken und ein paar Twists haben mich sehr überrascht. Ich möchte die Reihe aber auf jeden Fall weiter verfolgen.
Fazit:
Die Idee rund um den Comic finde ich sehr cool, ebenso gefällt mir der Zeichenstil, hier haben es mir besonders die Monster angetan. Ich will unbedingt erfahren, wie es mit Val weiter geht und freue mich schon auf Band zwei.
Das Licht geht aus, NIEMAND geht nach Haus‘ Es ist zehn Jahre her, dass Val Riggs mitansehen musste, wie die Sonne von der Dunkelheit verschluckt wurde. Fast jeder, den sie kannte und liebte, wurde infiziert und in groteske Schattengestalten verwandelt. In der Rolle eines „Fährmanns“ transportiert sie Menschen sowie Waren und heizt mit ihrem mächtigen Gefährt über die tödlichen unbeleuchteten Straßen – die Übel der Nacht stets dicht auf ihren Fersen. Als sie das Versprechen auf einen beleuchteten Zufluchtsort erreicht, muss Val zu einer Reise aufbrechen, die ihr alles abverlangen wird. Doch ihr läuft die Zeit davon: Eine geliebte Person an ihrer Seite ist bereits infiziert … Die Comiclegenden Scott Snyder (Dark Knights: Death Metal, Wytches, Undiscovered country) und Tony S. Daniel (Batman, Deathstroke) entfesseln in dieser aufregenden neuen Horrorserie unvergleichliche Schrecken aus den dunkelsten Ecken der menschlichen Vorstellungskraft.
Quelle: cross-cult.de
Meinung:
Das Cover hat mich sofort neugierig gemacht. Es sieht düster aus und mit den Monstern merkt man gleich um welche Art von Comic es sich hier handelt.
Der Zeichenstil ist wirklich toll, ich mag den sehr. Alles ist klar gezeichnet und vor allem die Monster sehen super aus. Der Schreibstil war auch gut und ich war komplett in der Welt drinnen.
Zu Beginn lernt man Val kennen, die Menschen gegen Geld von einem Ort zum anderen bringt. Sie weiß, wie sie in der Dunkelheit überlebt, doch als sie einen speziellen Auftrag annimmt wird sie plötzlich verfolgt und als wäre das noch nicht genug, ist ein von ihr geliebter Mensch infiziert.
Der Einstieg hat mir wirklich gut gefallen, denn alles beginnt mit einer groben Erklärung, was die Dunkelheit ist, wer Val ist und was damals geschehen ist. Dadurch weiß man nicht alles, aber genug und den Rest findet man im Laufe des Comics heraus. Mir gefiel es, dass man mit einem Rückblick staret und so nicht direkt in die Geschichte geworfen wird.
Val fand ich als Charakter toll, denn man merkt ihr an, dass sie es nicht leicht hatte im Leben. Sie ist abgestumpft und lässt sich nicht mehr so einfach beeundrucken. Einzig bei ihrem Bruder zeigt sie noch Gefühle und das sind auch nicht grade viele. Im Laufe der Geschichte lernt man sie aber immer besser kennen und dann versteht man auch, wieso sie so ist, wie sie ist.
Grundsätzlich geht es darum, dass Val zwei Menschen zu einem Ort bringen soll, an dem man auch ihrem Bruder helfen kann, denn dieser ist infiziert. Die Reise dorthin dauert lange, noch dazu kommt jemand, der sie verfolgt. Ich habe nicht mit dieser Art Geschichte gerechnet, denn man hat jetzt nicht nur die Mutationen, sondern auch noch die Menschen, die zur Gefahr werden. Ich fand den Antagonisten genial, denn er ist anders als alle anderen und man erfährt noch nicht wirklich warum, außerdem zeigt er keine Gnade und ist ein wahrer Sadist. Zwischendurch dachte ich wirklich schon, dass es mit Val vorbei ist, aber sie ist einfallsreich und konnte immer entkommen.
Die Handlung rund um ihren Bruder, der infiziert ist, war ebenso gut. Man kann verfolgen, wie er sich immer weiter verändert und bangt zusammen mit Val, ob sie es rechtzeitig schaffen und ob er wirklich Hilfe bekommen kannt. Zusätzlich sieht man auch in den Rückblicken wie damals die Dunkelheit Einfluss auf alle Lebewesen genommen hat und wie es da zu Beginn der Langen Nacht ausgesehen hat. Das war eine wirklich gute Ergänzung zur Geschichte.
Das Ende kam teils erwartet und teils unerwartet. Man konnte sich ein paar Dinge denken und ein paar Twists haben mich sehr überrascht. Ich möchte die Reihe aber auf jeden Fall weiter verfolgen.
Fazit:
Die Idee rund um den Comic finde ich sehr cool, ebenso gefällt mir der Zeichenstil, hier haben es mir besonders die Monster angetan. Ich will unbedingt erfahren, wie es mit Val weiter geht und freue mich schon auf Band zwei.
February 6, 2022
Very perfunctory work from Snyder.
Scott Snyder is one of hard-hitters in industry, but I actually got familiar with him through his horror comic work (Wytches, Volume 1, The Wake, Severed, American Vampire, Vol. 1).
He actually comes up with a really good premise, some fun plotting, but he doesn't always nail the endings, in my opinion.
And that's kind of my thoughts on Nocterra in a nutshell.
The idea of world going completely dark and that you have to "stay lit" or something in the dark will get you is a FUN concept to play around. Like, this new world demands from human to constantly have some lights with them... and Tony S. Daniel took this and came up with really fun, "Mad Max fashion but neon lights" costumes:
And that's the extent of fun.
Monsters: Predictable, black, sharp angles, blades, teeth.
Story: super contained to about 5 people in total. Predictable arc for heroine concerning her motivation and drive.
Twist: expected if you are familiar with Snyder (and predictable due to limited number of characters introduced).
All in all, it really doesn't bring much to the table and having read his other works, I feel like this was half-effort from Snyder. There was one interesting character introduced and they messed up his backstory in the special really bad, so that lowered my enjoyment even more.
I read that Nocterra will be adapted by Netflix, so I hope they make something more interesting from it.
Scott Snyder is one of hard-hitters in industry, but I actually got familiar with him through his horror comic work (Wytches, Volume 1, The Wake, Severed, American Vampire, Vol. 1).
He actually comes up with a really good premise, some fun plotting, but he doesn't always nail the endings, in my opinion.
And that's kind of my thoughts on Nocterra in a nutshell.
The idea of world going completely dark and that you have to "stay lit" or something in the dark will get you is a FUN concept to play around. Like, this new world demands from human to constantly have some lights with them... and Tony S. Daniel took this and came up with really fun, "Mad Max fashion but neon lights" costumes:
And that's the extent of fun.
Monsters: Predictable, black, sharp angles, blades, teeth.
Story: super contained to about 5 people in total. Predictable arc for heroine concerning her motivation and drive.
Twist: expected if you are familiar with Snyder (and predictable due to limited number of characters introduced).
All in all, it really doesn't bring much to the table and having read his other works, I feel like this was half-effort from Snyder. There was one interesting character introduced and they messed up his backstory in the special really bad, so that lowered my enjoyment even more.
I read that Nocterra will be adapted by Netflix, so I hope they make something more interesting from it.
October 5, 2021
An interesting graphic novel, with a lot of the DNA of the zombie survival genre. For some bizarre reason, the entire universe has gone black, with all the stars – including our sun – switched to 'off'. And that blackness has something in it that, unless you spend an equal amount of time in bright light, will turn you into a monster, like it has with every other species on the planet. Our heroine could have foreseen the darkness coming over the world, as she was practically blind until she was four or five. But now she's a driver of a big rig, ferrying gear and people around a nocturnal US. Only, her latest cargo could very well be the man responsible for the whole nightmare, and that fact could just well have put death on her tail...
The big hurdle to liking this book is the complete nonsense about why and how this darkness exists. The science behind it is rubbish of the tallest order, and while I guess it makes sense for Americans to spin a religion on it, with the few lights powerful enough to keep humans safe an example of the holy light exorcising demons, that aspect of the story was one I didn't really take to. But in bringing back memories of the good "Pitch Black" film, and using some of that to flavour a zombified Apocalypse road trip book, this does things I didn't really expect any more from this author. It's not brilliant – the script is too wordy, the piffle count too high as I say – but it serves as good-looking monster entertainment. Three and a half stars.
The big hurdle to liking this book is the complete nonsense about why and how this darkness exists. The science behind it is rubbish of the tallest order, and while I guess it makes sense for Americans to spin a religion on it, with the few lights powerful enough to keep humans safe an example of the holy light exorcising demons, that aspect of the story was one I didn't really take to. But in bringing back memories of the good "Pitch Black" film, and using some of that to flavour a zombified Apocalypse road trip book, this does things I didn't really expect any more from this author. It's not brilliant – the script is too wordy, the piffle count too high as I say – but it serves as good-looking monster entertainment. Three and a half stars.
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