30 Days of Night Deluxe Edition: Book One

30 Days of Night Deluxe Edition

by Steve Niles, Ben Templesmith (Artist)

Revisit the vampire tale that kick-started a modern horror comics revival with its explosively fast and violent action! A town plunged into darkness, a group of vampires hungry for blood, and only a husband-and-wife sheriff’s team to stop them. This premise set the stage for an iconic horror franchise that went on to become a feature-length film from Sony Pictures in 2007. Join co-creators Steve Niles and Ben Templesmith in the original 30 Days of Night series, Dark Days, Return to Barrow, and the 2004 Annual, plus a number of extras that go behind the scenes of this innovative horror series!

Genres: Graphic Novels, Horror, Comics, Vampires

436 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 11, 2023

About the author

STEVE NILES is one of the writers responsible for bringing horror comics back to prominence, and was recently named by Fangoria magazine as one of it's "13 rising talents who promise to keep us terrified for the next 25 years."

Niles is currently working for the four top American comic publishers - Marvel, DC, Image and Dark Horse. He got his start in the industry when he formed his own publishing company called Arcane Comix, where he published, edited and adapted several comics and anthologies for Eclipse Comics. His adaptations include works by Clive Barker, Richard Matheson and Harlan Ellison.

Steve resides in Los Angeles in his bachelor pad with one cat. While there's no crawlspace, there is a questionable closet in one corner and no one is quite sure what is hidden in there...but we have an idea.

--from the author's website

Reviews

[Bogdan · Rating 5 out of 5]

To get the facts straight, I confess from the beginning that I hate the vampire theme and most of the novels that have vampires in them.

I`m more of a zombie guy! I don`t know why, I just am!

But I hadn`t the same opinion about this peculiar book. I`ve read the first chapters long time ago, but didn`t get much further. So, you`ll understand my surprise when I found myself liking a lot the other parts of he story, also.

Some people think that the art of Templesmith is a downside here, but, for me, it elevates the whole experience.

Maybe the story isn`t something very elaborated, but, overall, there were some surprises along the way, and yes, there is a "return to roots" end, but hey, most of the stories have this aspect in them, so, not such a bad thing for me.

It`s dark, it`s gritty and unforgiven, and I feel that this it`s a Masterpiece in graphic novel of the vampire genre as a whole.

A genre that i`m not a big fan!

[Matthew Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first story in this one sets up this world of vampires beautifully. The duo of Niles and Templesmith bring an amazing horror story to life with their characters and art. The only complaint I’ve got for the original 30DON story would be the pacing. This first story just seems to go by so quickly in story, though the gorgeous art by Templesmith really makes you take your time through this one so it all sort of evens out anyway.
Dark Days is an interesting story that takes the vampires and Stella out of Barrow and attempts to bring the story to light. The character development that we see Stella have is a bit rash at times, but expected given what she’s been through and is going up against. The story takes a much different turn in this one than the original, but I enjoyed it just as much.
Return to Barrow and the annual were very enjoyable and like the title states, takes us back to this book’s roots. There’s a satisfying ending to this book and I can easily say that I’d put this I trilogy of comics as some of the best horror comics to read.

[GONZA · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was scary and distressing exactly, in fact more so, than I remembered. A graphic novel like that could only be read in the middle of the day in summer.

Era spaventoso ed angosciante esattamente, anzi di piú, di quanto non ricordassi. Una graphic novel cosí si puó leggere solo d'estate in pieno giorno.

I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

[Rian Bolger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been excited to finally read thing dang thing for years. Fair to say I'm a little let down. This hardback collects 30 Days of Night, Dark Days, the 2004 Annual, and Return to Barrow. The first issue, the one that contains the entire premise that drew me in, flies past. There's absolutely nothing in there that successfully communicates that thirty days have passed. I thought we'd see a long period of tense, stealthy survival. But it's practically over before you can remember a character's name.

Dark Days is a little stronger in its pacing. But I didn't exactly buy how epic Stella is. Sure, she's a final girl, but Eben did most all the work. We don't really see enough of Stella in Barrow to understand if she is capable of the skills displayed on her book tour. I also don't really buy that that explosion at the end killed Lillity and all those other vamps, but I guess I just have to believe it. I didn't really get Dane's deal either. Or why Stella immediately slept with him. Maybe they're just failing to communicate the passage of time again.

The 2004 Annual is like, whatever. The book club making fun of the pacing of Stella's memoir might have been funny if it hadn't genuinely ruined my estimations of the book. Norris is a whatever character. Dane and the Doctor was fun.

Return to Barrow is easily the best issue. The pacing is much better, for one, and it doesn't try and trick me into thinking 30 days have elapsed by the end. Eben and Stella's payoff is nice. Again, don't really know what Dane's issue is. I don't know why he thinks it's a good idea for him to ever reintigrate with wider vampire society after his actions in Dark Days. His unceremonious death kind of says to me that they didn't know what to do with him. Generously, I'd chalk it up to the vampiric pride and arrogance they touch off earlier. His weird plan of tagging along backfiring might hage been cool through that lens if I understood why he was doing it at all.

Overall, across all the issues, I loved Templesmith's art. It's totally, totally unique, different from anything I've ever seen in a comic. That gorgeous, hazy texture that lies over all the backgrounds beautifully sells the isolation of it all. All that ever matters is the stuff center-frame, no one is around to help. The characters are utterly alone, at times geographically, in Barrow, at others alone in their knowledge, surrounded by people who'll never believe them. It is occasionally difficult to tell what you're looking at though, but it usually becomes clear a page or two later anyway.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

It continued as it started - in glorious bloodlust fashion, with viscerally primordial vampires. Unbridled by the restraints of more traditionally presented vampiric imaginings - garlic, wooden stakes, silver, etc., the 30DoN horde are more resilient, and less polished than the mythological constructs we’re perhaps more accustomed to. They are more intelligent and cunning in many ways too. The colours and textures used throughout, coupled with the deliberately rough-and-ready drawing style, match so well with the writing, enhancing every aspect of the series. It’s been a great reading experience

[David Miles · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5*
This collection felt really bloated, there's too much here. So much gets repeated in each arc. Plus the police files at the end is just a straight rehash for those who don't want to read the graphic novel. I think the premise of this story is the best thing about it. The art is frantic and lends to the sense of unease. There's a random section about Agent Norris in the middle where the art changes and it's jarring. Then it goes back to the old style for the rest of the graphic novel. Think I'd just recommend reading the original arc.

[Lynn Montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this a 100 stars I would! At first I wasn't really liking it but it the got really good. I'm speechless, this book had me in my feels, anger, happy then sad again. I very highly recommend people who are fans of vampires, gore and compelling stories will absolutely love this! Now go read it! 😁😂

[Heavymetalpaul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was not expecting to like it as much as I did. The stories were face paced and action packed. The only complain I have is the art, it’s not my style and the only thing holding me back from 5stars, that and no Josh Hartnett

[Ginny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Re-reading this book all these years later, and while it did not hold the same gut punch it did years ago, I still really enjoyed it. And reading the continuation of the series is going to be a lot of fun over the next few weeks!

[Thomas Wilkins · Rating 2 out of 5]

The original story is okay but definitely not as good as the movie. The follow up story to that one was actually not bad, it was very interesting. The story after where it returns to Barrow turns out to be meh as well. At least the art is interesting to look at.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

The stories that make up this collection are horror comics classics for a reason. The art is visceral and perfectly creates a dark mood. The story is exciting and the vampires are terrifying. I had a blast reading these stories that I had heard so much about, but never actually read.

[Keith · Rating 3 out of 5]

The size of this book really does it a disservice. It’s really hard to notice any details in the art and the vampire text can be almost impossible to read.

[Erica Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story. I enjoyed it for the most part.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not really my thing, but still pretty good.

[SassieMolassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. I liked it. Looking forward to continuing on to the 2nd book.

[MediocreDude · Rating 4 out of 5]

7.1/10

[David Cluck · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as I’d hoped for.