NOCTERRA #1 recap/review – A story that is infused with equal measures of sci-fi and realism (Snyder, Daniel, Morey, AndWorld Design) Image Comics

• Writer: Scott Snyder
• Artist: Tony S. Daniel
• Colorist: Tomeu Morey
• Letterer: AndWorld Design
• Graphic Designer: Emma Price
• Editor: Will Dennis
• Assistant Editor: Tyler Jennes

Thanks to Image Comics for the review copy!

Scott Snyder’s NOCTERRA #1 takes our common childhood fear of the dark to a whole other level! The story quickly kicks off with a simple, yet brilliantly posed inquiry most of us have asked one another following the devastating 9/11 attacks – “Where were you that morning?” Just reading those words catapults my mindset into a kind of panic-mode, innately knowing that question is bound to precede inescapable tragedy.

An intuitive Synder immediately capitalizes on my reaction, providing a quick, yet emotional glimpse into the day “the big PM” arrived. While discovering the big PM not only engulfed the world in darkness, artist Tony S. Daniels’ bold imagery unveils the pitch-black is filled with monsters of every species – even humans. Apparently, if left “unlit” for more than 10 hours, any living thing starts transforming into horrific versions of themselves called “Shades,” which is both an ugly and irreversible process. NOCTERRA’s badass female lead, Val Riggs, helps navigate the reader through the shadows, literally illuminating a path for us to follow through this terrifying landscape. 

NOCTERRA delivers a fast-paced story, infused with equal measures of sci-fi and realism. The match-made-in-Heaven pairing of Snyder and Daniels lives up to its potential, creating a stimulating world for anyone who loves a good, imaginative thriller! Colorist Tomeu Morey takes the team’s success one step further by expertly exercising the use of black to create negative space and vibrant hues of yellow and red to demonstrate the exact tone of the panels. It’s a tricky task, but Morey absolutely nails it! While I am forced to call it a night and await issue two, I will certainly not forget to turn the lights on…

NOCTERRA #1 is now available.

Check back in a few weeks for my review of the 2nd issue of the series.

Check out the interview that An Englishman in San Diego did with Scott Snyder below.

Are you going to pick up the issue? Have you already? Let me know in the comments!