Writer: Ed Brubaker
Artist: Sean Phillips
Colorist: Jacob Phillips
Thanks to Image Comics for the review copy!
Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips are back with another hot take on the noir thriller genre and yet ultimately creating something completely fresh and original at the same time. Taking a break from their acclaimed Reckless series, this is a standalone story about the darkness inside each of us and what it’s capable of when someone else is at the wheel. It’s a haunting look at the man behind the mirror. The one that never gets to come out and play but would probably be the hit at the party when all restraints and inhibitions have been swept aside. Then, when the fun is over, how do we put that man back in the box?
This is an idea Brubaker had previously been kicking around since 2010 and it just felt like now was the time to bring it to fruition. We can only be so lucky! Brubaker and Phillips continue to push the boundaries of this medium and there are no signs they are slowing down anytime soon. They have upped the ante even further by adding Sean’s son Jacob on coloring duty. He’s already making a name for himself on books such as Newburn and That Texas Blood which have both been a huge success for Image. What we are essentially getting at this point is a dream team of comic creators and it’s almost unfair to everyone else in business. They are honestly that good!
This story finds our main character, Jonathan Webb, on a business trip in Europe. He’s a middle aged family man stuck in the routine of his rather mundane life. He’s alone in his hotel room, late, suffering from sleeplessness and jet lag. He finds himself wandering the streets in the middle of the night and ends up at some “by invitation only” speakeasy. He throws a false name, Griffin, at the host which he gleaned off the invitation list and is welcomed into the party. He befriends a confident and charismatic gentleman at the party named Rainer. The story goes from equal parts Eyes Wide Shut to Fight Club as Jonathan’s late night spirals out of control and he takes on the full persona of his newly stolen alias. He follows Rainer into the deepest and darkest corners of the city where people like Jonathan Webb wouldn’t normally go. A night of debauchery and crime culminates in Webb not being able to look at himself in the mirror but realizing he may have to take things even further to have a chance at getting back to his normal life.
Wow! What a read. Exhilarating. Taut. Seductive. This is Brubaker and Phillips at the top of their game. If you are a fan of Brubaker and Phillips or noir thrillers in general this is a must read!
My rating – 10/10 Superb!
Night Fever is now available.
Are you going pick up the comic? Feel free to leave a comment below or chat with us on Twitter at @TheConCollectve!
We’re always looking for new writers that are truly passionate about stuff – we give you the review materials, the platform and the support to say what you feel from the heart. If you’d like to write opinion pieces about pop culture topics or reviews, reach out to us using the contact us form
