NOCTERRA #1
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Tony Daniel, Tomeu Morey
Colorist: Tomeu Morey
Letterer: Andworld Design
Release Date: March 3, 2021
Cover Price: $3.99
Publisher: Image Comics
What it’s about…
“FULL THROTTLE DARK,” Part One-Ten years after the world is plunged into an everlasting night that turns all living creatures into monstrous shades, the only way to survive is to stay close to artificial light. Enter Valentina “Val” Riggs, a skilled ferryman who transports people and goods along deadly unlit roads with her heavily illuminated eighteen-wheeler.
This March, legendary creators SCOTT SNYDER (Dark Knights: Death Metal, WYTCHES) and TONY S. DANIEL (Batman, Deathstroke) unveil horrors beyond any shade in this extra-sized first issue.
What I thought about it…
Today, writer Scott Snyder is probably best known for his long runs on the Batman and Justice League books. But Snyder first made a name for himself on several creator-owned comics, and this week, Snyder returns to his roots with the highly-anticipated Nocterra #1 from Image Comics. And to nobody’s surprise, Nocterra #1 is as close to perfect as you can get.
Snyder’s Wytches dealt with the fears and dark wishes a parent has. Undiscovered Country focused on an isolated America that was forever transformed and cut off from the rest of the world. Nocterra is about civilization rising from the ashes with individuals and different communities helping to rebuild the world, while those separated go on to become literal monsters.
Perhaps it’s because this is the first issue, but I thought Scott Snyder’s writing was more focused. Then again, maybe I was just burned out on the Dark Nights Metal stuff, and Nocterra #1 was the perfect pallet cleanser. Either way, the story in this issue is fast-paced, doesn’t waste any time and all the important information is delivered by the time you finish the book. I realize this was an over-sized issue, so there was plenty of room to set things up. But it’s still nice to have it all done in one issue instead of several as is commonplace these days.
As for the art in the book, Tony S. Daniel’s artwork is terrific as usual. I’ve enjoyed his art since his X-Force days, but I’ve always found his non-Marvel/DC work to be his best, and Nocterra #1 is no exception. Here, Daniel delivers a lot of detailed panels, and they all flow perfectly making it an easy read. There is nothing about the art in this issue that I can complain about, just a job well done by the entire art team.
Nocterra #1 is a terrific debut issue. Scott Snyder and Tony S. Daniel have reimagined the world into something unique. With great dialogue and spectacular art, we could be looking at another big hit from Image Comics. I have no clue where the story goes from here, but I’m excited to see what the creative team has up their sleeves.
Nocterra #1 grade: A