Nocterra Vol. 1: Full Throttle Dark
Scott Snyder, story; Tony S. Daniel, art; Tomeu Morey, colors
Image Comics, 2021
Another dystopian story, but with a generous helping of horror elements. The initiating event is the sudden onset of complete blackness: not only was there no sun, but not even stars were visible. Val Riggs was a child when it happened. Now she is an adult working as a ferryman, transporting people through the dark in her eighteen-wheeler. It is dangerous work, because the perpetual night is populated by shades, horrible monsters created when humans are infected by the darkness. Val is seeking an illuminated sanctuary, and agrees to take on an old man and his niece as passengers. The old man may be more than he seems: a group of hunters come after them claiming that he is responsible for the darkness. As if that were not enough to deal with, Val is also seeking treatment for her brother Em, who is coming down with the darkness infection. The whole story is like a road movie with nearly continuous battles with monsters. The final sanctuary turns out to be a mirage, setting up the next arc. Daniel and Morey create a dramatic, widescreen visual setting. But for me the whole thing felt predictable, like an average movie blockbuster. I doubt I will continue with it.
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I've really enjoyed this myself. More than I thought I would. I'm indifferent to Tony Daniel's art usually, but I think it works great here. I don't know if this includes the Blacktop Bill special, but that was very good.