The Night Never Ends

by Steve Thueson

A horror comedy graphic novel about turning thirty… and also accidentally catching the attention of a killer cult.

On the Friday before Kate’s 30th birthday, she convinces her friends to go back to her hometown to celebrate. The plan: break into an abandoned house and hold a séance, just like she did in high school. As the friends join hands over the ouija board, an unsettlingly real scream splits the air. What started as a fun way to relive their punk adolescence before accepting the weight of adulthood turns into a night of fleeing bloodthirsty cultists. Can they find a way to get out of the suburbs alive?

Genres: Horror, Graphic Novels, Comics, LGBT, Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics, Queer

128 pages, Paperback

First published August 28, 2024

About the author

Steve Thueson is a cartoonist from Salt Lake City, Utah, currently based in Philadelphia. Thueson graduated from the Center for Cartoon Studies in Vermont in 2017.

Reviews

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

what better way to celebrate the next decade of your life than by bringing your friends together to break into an abandoned house for a nostalgic séance? i, too, made some questionable decisions when i was turning 30.

this graphic novel is a true horror comedy, with lots of blood and gore, and also lots of humor. it's chaotic and fun. i don't typically laugh out loud while reading, but this one got a few chuckles out of me. there's something about this particular brand of absurd millennial humor that really hits.

i also loved the reality of the fact that this friend group seeks help when they're in peril, but never from law enforcement. they're alternately on the run from murderous cultists, trigger-happy libertarians, the cops, and their own selves...

they're trying to relive youthful shenanigans, but suddenly the stakes are scary high and their lives are in danger. it feels apt - that's what growing up is like. our childhood memories will eventually be overshadowed by the dark realities of adulthood.

i'm not a huge fan of the characters, and i don't love the art style, but i still had a lot of fun with this!

[Lauren Duprey · Rating 1 out of 5]

✨️1.5 stars✨️

Terrible characters. 30 year old running around acting and talking like teenagers. The art was fun, and the villains were cool looking, but this definitely lacked.

[Paige · Rating 3 out of 5]

The horrors of turning 30 are so real

[Rick Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

To celebrate one of their friends' thirtieth birthday, a group of friends break into an abandoned house said to be haunted. What starts off as a group of late twenties friends attempting to recapture the juvenile debauchery and thrill of their teenage years quickly turns into a night of horror as they end up being chased by a group of cultists attempting a ritualistic human sacrifice. The Night Never Ends is presented like a typical slasher thriller, but there's a strong undercurrent of humor driven by the bickering from this millennial friend group. As much as it is commentary on the millennial generational divide as it is about the horror, I found this comic to be somewhat similar to the film, Bodies Bodies Bodies.

It's an entertaining and chaotic read, funny even at times, though I did find the characters a bit too tiresome to drive an entire graphic novel length story. Steve Thueson's artwork matches the light-hearted vibe well, with even the violence and gore coming off as appropriately cartoonish. The art style isn't the type that typically resonates with me, but for the purposes of this story it is highly functional.

[michelle ࣪ ִֶָ☾ · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75 💫

[Jordan Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun modern horror comedy that could and should absolutely become a movie! The artwork alone is super satisfying, and the story will leave you wondering: who would you want with you to fight off a killer cult on the eve of your 30th birthday?

[BrianaBreezyBriBoo · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5

[Miranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the art in this! Overall just a fun time

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Night Never Ends is a graphic novel that taps into nostalgia and suspense by following a group of friends who, upon one turning thirty, try to relive the thrill of their teenage years—breaking into abandoned houses and conducting seances. However, things take a dark and unexpected turn when they encounter a group of satanic cultists in one of the houses.

The story sets up an intriguing premise: the juxtaposition of childhood memories and adult realities, all cloaked in supernatural tension and humor. As the diverse set of friends come face to face with a sinister force, the novel explores themes of friendship, aging, and the risks of holding on to the past. While the concept is solid, the execution falls somewhat short. The artwork, while serviceable, was chaotic. In fact, come to think of it, the whole thing was chaotic. Light and nutty and a bit head-scratching, but I like independent stand alone graphic novels, so I’m not complaining.

[Nate · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wish I was there for the pitch of this book. "Ok so its like a slasher film but in graphic novel form. But the twist is the killers are inept so its funny." "Ok so like Scream?" "Well not really. Because the killers are so inept not a single part of the book is scary or even tense." "Oh. Ok?" "And you kind of want all the main characters to die because they are a collection of the most annoying people you have ever met. And they don't like each other and have no chemistry. BUT they constantly talk about how they don't like each other any more."

[Dria · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 stars--this was a direct and to the point graphic novel with lots of dry sarcasm and gore, all good in my book! Illustrations were SO good; on point with the coloring and foreshadowing consistent with the horror theme. I really liked the theme of budding adulthood and the drifting friendships that occur as we age and become more experienced. I do think there was more that could have been done with the plot but that didn't take away from the enjoyment of the novel. The ending left a cliffhanger of sorts so I'm hoping there's an additional volume to continue on; I have questions!

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun little graphic novel! Horror comedy and delivered on everything it said it would. There were moments I audibly laughed and the illustrations were great. Didn't care for any of the characters but that didn't take away from my enjoyment of the story as a whole. Would read a second volume if the author decided this story needs to continue.

[Patricia Q · Rating 4 out of 5]

That. Was. Hilarious.

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5: Sooo late 20s core

[Ella · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Alba Hxneybunny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Muy millennial

[Aimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strange little novel. But it was funny and heartfelt!

[Carina Stopenski · Rating 2 out of 5]

the real horror is the characters acting this way when they’re approaching 30

[kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

yeah this was a solid 3. and i can’t honestly even really tell if i liked this because it was so dumb and frustrating but i think it means to be funny. like idk maybe i would be acting the same if i was in my hometown going down memory lane with old friends? but when push comes to shove they’re trying to escape killers and instead they’re YAPPING. like shut the hell up and make a game plan. but maybe this is accurate, that 5 people would not be able to stfu, make a plan, and commit to it without arguing for a night while they’re being chased by murderers. i was very annoyed at the whole line of events that transpired before the murder cult situation even took place like yes i get it’s kate’s birthday or whatever but she really forcing everyone to do her activity sm that she takes away their phones? then gets upset when they’re like “we’re partially in this bad situation because you took away our phones….” WHICH IS TRUE. like accept the fact that you messed up dude idk. it’s like they’re 30 but still so immature kinda idk. mf said “i’d rather die than ask that old friend libertarian guy to call someone for us” like WHAT!! again!! they have no actual priorities. if i just witnessed a murder and was being actively chased by murderers then i would not be gabbing going down memory lane holding onto petty childhood things idc if its my biggest nemesis if its life or death its life or death. and again i think this was where it was supposed to be funny but was it? it just made me so mad. then the random girl at the end who gets away at first just to come back in to save them at the end? no offense she would nottttttttt capital not have come back. that was so random. nice to see a girl that was once victim become hero love that but it was just random as shit

[Peter Derk · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the first half of the book, I did not enjoy the collection of haircuts running around and talking like they were broadcasting everything via TikTok, but by the end, I have to admit they won me over.

The tone of the book is a little weird, it's like sometimes we're fighting for our lives, 10 minutes later we're very casual about everything, but once you sort of get used to that back and forth and the fact that this is not a serious book, it's pretty good.

Guys, turning 30 is not a big deal. It's just not. We all need to get over that. 40, okay, that's still a thing. I am NOT the same at 40 as I was at 30, but at 30, I was pretty similar to the way I was at 27 or whatever, which is pretty similar to 25.

You also don't need to have your life together at 30. I mean, you CAN, great for you, but I think most of us still have a ways to go at 30.

My 40-something advice for your 30s? Go to the dentist, get your vaccines, put money into retirement, even if it's a small amount, pay off your student loans as fast as you can, DO NOT BUY A CAR THAT YOU CAN'T AFFORD, do not spend money on making your car louder or prettier because nobody cares, take vacations to cheap places and lower your expectations, do not ever take a vacation on a credit card and pay it off, always save for the trip BEFORE the trip, start doing things outside of work that you enjoy more regularly, get some real exercise a few times a week, learn to cook and enjoy leftovers if you haven't already, read books, watch movies, ignore any fad diets or anything specific like only eating at certain times of day, probably slow down on the drinking.

[Tony · Rating 2 out of 5]

Picked this up because it looked kind of fun and the clean artwork appealed to me. The story is about five late-millennials gathering for some hijinks to celebrate one of them turning 30. The plan is to break into a creepy abandoned house in their old suburban neighborhood and do a seance. No one seems all that enthused about it, and then all hell breaks loose when they stumble into a satanic ritual sacrifice and spend the rest of the book on the run from mask-wearing cultists.

I guess the humor is supposed to come from the friends' bickering? I'm not sure... it struck me as far more annoying than amusing, but it could be that I'm too old for this stuff. It didn't help that the way the eyes and hair were drawn and colored made three of the characters blend together. Not that it mattered as there's no particular reason to care about any of them, even as they spurt blood and blast a shotgun around. Then at the climax, another character appears from nowhere to save the day, and I had to skim back through the whole book to try and figure out who they were. Perhaps readers of a different generation might find this farcical comic more to their liking, but I didn't find much of anything in it to enjoy.

[Clint · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
I was initially put off by the 2000s webcomic style of the art and annoying banter, but the horror comedy premise and character writing (beyond the banter) eventually won me back over to being positive overall. A friend group of mostly queer punks on the verge of their 30s get together for one of their 30th birthdays but unexpectedly stumble into a satanic cult’s homicidal ritual. Following that, the friends are tested by a combo of trying to survive being hunted down by the murder cult, but also a more relatable series of “we’re not kids anymore” moments of uncertainty as they each face entering the next phase of adulthood in different ways.

[Christian Dixon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very fun! It’s cool to read a story with such a cool and diverse cast (wrt age, race, sexuality, etc). The humor was also pretty strong. I most liked that kind of existentialism of avoiding looking that next chapter of adulthood in the eyes and instead trying to relive a rose colored past. I kind of wish we pushed that theme further, especially with Kate’s arc not feeling very complete by the end of the story. The horror/action was exciting! I’m not sure it messed very well with the themes of aging but I still had a great time. Biggest complaint: too short! I want more of this group and these characters!!

[Cole · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was absolutely terrible. I do not recommend it.

A group of friends is set to celebrate the birthday of one of them. To do so, they decide to break into an abandoned house. What was supposed to be fun soon turns into a nightmare as they are chased by a gang of killers.

SPOILER: Our friends escape and there is no resolution or ''mystery'' really unveiled.

The book also tried to be funny, but it's what are supposed to be 30-year olds speaking like 16-year olds. I'm fine with coarse language and I guess I figure the doomsday-y tone the author wanted to give the characters' voices, but it's a fail on that end.

All in all, save your money, don't buy this book.

[Jai · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Night Never Ends was a pretty cool book. It embodies the young hip gays living in Portland vibe. I laughed out loud a few times because the characters are weird and quirky. My only issue was one of the character's hair, I wanted to know who the illustrator was but it turns out that the author also did the drawings. I'm side-eyeing him for that hair that looked like a hat simultaneously with a sheep's ass on it. The storyline was hilarious and kind of dumb in a B-movie type of way. I'd never just go to an abandoned house to hold a seance with a Ouija board....but hey that's me.

[Betzim Gdolot · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Night Never Ends tries to mix horror and humor but misses both marks. Following a group of unlikeable millennials celebrating a 30th birthday, the story quickly turns into a mediocre slasher chase when they encounter cultists during a séance. While the humor falls flat and the horror fails to frighten, the graphic novel’s saving grace is its beautiful artwork, featuring clean lines and skillful transitions between comedic and dark scenes. Unfortunately, even the impressive visuals can’t make up for the annoying characters and bland storytelling.

[Ⓛⓐⓘⓝⓔ]

DNF 50%

I tried to like this book, I really did. the cover looked cool but the characters looked meh to me. Much less the characters acted kinda dumb and like teens, now mind you they are all 30.

I wish the blood and gore in this book didn't look like puke tbh.

I didn't really find myself feeling any redeeming qualities from the characters since the whole plot is them going to an abandoned house for someones 30th to do a ritual. But that awakens some bloodthirsty cultists. I mean they are 30 shouldn't they know better.

[dearlygian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rating: 2.5 stars | ☆☆.5

The story follows the worst group of friends I've seen in a while getting haunted by cultists from the babysitter: killer queen movies. Honestly was a quick short read which was fun and quirky here and there but sometimes the story falls flat and honestly some of the characters have me bashing my head against the wall.

Lesson of the story: Antidepressants don't make you shit yourself.

[BookCupid · Rating 3 out of 5]

All Kate wanted was to celebrate her birthday with her friends. Except that she chose an old suburban abandoned home in the hope of an ouija game. Her friends felt obliged and a little uncomfortable with how seriously she was taking it. But they weren't planning on have other guest.

The book is fast-paced and has several twists. It might not be realistic but it sure is crazy to see how all their plans work against them.

[Kayla Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simply funny and spooky tale. This is just a group of friends looking to get into some hi-jinks and finding themselves in a life and death situation far more difficult to handle than they ever could have imagined. This doesn't take itself too seriously which is good because there isn't anything really serious to explore here to begin with.

Content Warning: gore, murder, gun violence, depression, blood