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Nocterra #1
Nocterra #1
“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.
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.
37 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 3, 2021
About the author
Scott Snyder
1,795 books5,270 followersScott Snyder is the Eisner and Harvey Award winning writer on DC Comics Batman, Swamp Thing, and his original series for Vertigo, American Vampire. He is also the author of the short story collection, Voodoo Heart, published by the Dial Press in 2006. The paperback version was published in the summer of 2007.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
December 31, 2025
(A-) 82% | Very Good
Notes: Read in trade paperback. Collective review for issues #1-6 can be found here: Nocterra, Vol. 1: Full Throttle Dark.
Notes: Read in trade paperback. Collective review for issues #1-6 can be found here: Nocterra, Vol. 1: Full Throttle Dark.
April 3, 2021
Ok this was awesome and so was the art. One day the world just goes black, no more sunlight. Now we are deep in this new dark world 13 years later. Plants and animals left in the dark change into deadly creatures. Humans do as well and are probably the deadliest. We follow the main character Val and her younger brother. She drives an 18 wheeler around picking up people and supplies. An old man and his granddaughter beg her to take them to a place way farther than she or any of the other drivers go. What comes after that was really interesting and I’m very excited to see where this goes. Great concept and great execution.
March 6, 2021
Decent enough comic with a cool concept. Nice art to!
March 7, 2021
I'm not too sure what I think about it. It ends on a satisfying note which intrigues me to get issue 2, but the first half of the book really bored me and done nothing to make the main character appeal to me, in the slightest. It just comes off as one of those really terrible SyFy channel TV series' that has a budget of $250.
It's definitely Tony S. Daniel's best art in a long time. Probably since early New52-time, as his Rebirth-era art was really lacking, after he came back from his hiatus, so it's nice to see him back on form. It's just a shame he's got to draw boring trucks for most panels.
It's definitely Tony S. Daniel's best art in a long time. Probably since early New52-time, as his Rebirth-era art was really lacking, after he came back from his hiatus, so it's nice to see him back on form. It's just a shame he's got to draw boring trucks for most panels.
March 10, 2021
The main consensus I've been hearing about this book is that the first half is honestly slow and brutally boring to read but the end makes up for it. I'd agree with that sentiment. I really didn't care for the opening act of the issue but the ending is so intriguing. I think this might just be one of those worlds that needs a few boring setup issues to actually understand what is going on.
November 28, 2021
An excellent first issue! Great art and compelling story. The premise is very interesting and I'm looking forward to the development of the story and the characters. Very intrigued and curious.to see where this goes!
March 7, 2021
This does feel like a TV Show pitch disguised as a comic book and the story doesn't seem like anything original. However the art is amazing, the pacing is good, and it works so well as a 1st issue (a bit of a cliffhanger, slight hints of an interesting world, likable lead and supporting cast).
Only fear is would be if Val ends up being a Rey /Mary Sue type, as there are some hints of that.
Only fear is would be if Val ends up being a Rey /Mary Sue type, as there are some hints of that.
April 19, 2021
Out of the dark comes a new badass story‼️👏🏾
June 28, 2021
Nocterra’ is a new Science Fiction comic book series from Image Comics, which brought you ‘The Walking Dead’, ‘Spawn’ and ‘Kick-Ass’. At Image, the creators own the rights to their work and it’s now the third-biggest comic book company in America.
The SF background to ‘Nocterra’ is the Big PM effect which happened about now. The world went dark. In the darkness, any living organism left unlit for ten hours undergoes the terrible transformation into a ‘Shade’, a monstrous version of itself. Birds, fish and insects become monsters. People, too. The first sign in humans is that their gums go black. In some way, not yet clear, dialysis can hold back the transformation.
The story begins thirteen years after the Big PM happened, and the Shades have developed, interbred and cross-pollinated to create new species, so you can’t even tell what a monster used to be. Particularly deadly are human shades that live in packs and have their own language.
The only real defence is artificial light. Big cities fell in the first few weeks of the Big PM effect but some small towns and villages survived by staying illuminated. These are called Outposts. Ferrymen transport people between Outposts in heavy well-lit trucks.
Our hero is a Ferryman called Val, actually a healthy young woman. In a brief prologue, we learn that she was blind until the age of four, so darkness is especially poignant for her. Post-Apocalyptic America is a rough, freebooting, disorganised place and the Ferrymen take on jobs as they come. Zero-hours contracts are here to stay. Val drives for a woman called Bellwether to support herself and her family. Her adoptive parents are gone, but her brother Emory survives.
This first issue shows Val doing her action-packed job, gives the reader her background and present circumstances and closes with a cool villain on her trail. Origin stories have a lot to pack in, but Scott Snyder skilfully introduces the basic setting and characters. The art by Tony S. Daniel is bold, striking and colourful and the series certainly promises exciting things to come. Worth a look.
The SF background to ‘Nocterra’ is the Big PM effect which happened about now. The world went dark. In the darkness, any living organism left unlit for ten hours undergoes the terrible transformation into a ‘Shade’, a monstrous version of itself. Birds, fish and insects become monsters. People, too. The first sign in humans is that their gums go black. In some way, not yet clear, dialysis can hold back the transformation.
The story begins thirteen years after the Big PM happened, and the Shades have developed, interbred and cross-pollinated to create new species, so you can’t even tell what a monster used to be. Particularly deadly are human shades that live in packs and have their own language.
The only real defence is artificial light. Big cities fell in the first few weeks of the Big PM effect but some small towns and villages survived by staying illuminated. These are called Outposts. Ferrymen transport people between Outposts in heavy well-lit trucks.
Our hero is a Ferryman called Val, actually a healthy young woman. In a brief prologue, we learn that she was blind until the age of four, so darkness is especially poignant for her. Post-Apocalyptic America is a rough, freebooting, disorganised place and the Ferrymen take on jobs as they come. Zero-hours contracts are here to stay. Val drives for a woman called Bellwether to support herself and her family. Her adoptive parents are gone, but her brother Emory survives.
This first issue shows Val doing her action-packed job, gives the reader her background and present circumstances and closes with a cool villain on her trail. Origin stories have a lot to pack in, but Scott Snyder skilfully introduces the basic setting and characters. The art by Tony S. Daniel is bold, striking and colourful and the series certainly promises exciting things to come. Worth a look.
February 24, 2023
Nocterra
Spannende und packende Story, die viele Überraschungen hervorbringen. Der Zeichenstil hat uns sehr gefesselt und wir wollten nicht aufhören zu lesen. Wir haben dieses Buch beide an einem Tag durchgelesen.
Eine Welt in der es kein Licht mehr gibt, ist für uns heutzutage und gerade nicht vorstellbar. Doch in Nocterra ist es die Realität. Wer dem Sonnenlicht oder Licht allgemein nicht ausgesetzt ist, infiziert sich und mutiert zu einen grotesken Schattenwesen, sei es Mensch, Tier oder die Natur selbst.
Es wird oft viel zwischen Vergangenheit und Gegenwart geswitcht. Um das ganze Ausmaß der Dunkelheit und Ihre Geschichte zu verstehen.
Unsere Helden müssen viel auf sich nehmen um einen sicheren Hafen zu finden und vielleicht auch ein neues Licht.
Überraschende Wendung die uns sehr erstaunt haben. Das Ende war sehr spannend und fesselnd, da man nicht wusste in welche Richtung es gehen könnte.
Spannende und packende Story, die viele Überraschungen hervorbringen. Der Zeichenstil hat uns sehr gefesselt und wir wollten nicht aufhören zu lesen. Wir haben dieses Buch beide an einem Tag durchgelesen.
Eine Welt in der es kein Licht mehr gibt, ist für uns heutzutage und gerade nicht vorstellbar. Doch in Nocterra ist es die Realität. Wer dem Sonnenlicht oder Licht allgemein nicht ausgesetzt ist, infiziert sich und mutiert zu einen grotesken Schattenwesen, sei es Mensch, Tier oder die Natur selbst.
Es wird oft viel zwischen Vergangenheit und Gegenwart geswitcht. Um das ganze Ausmaß der Dunkelheit und Ihre Geschichte zu verstehen.
Unsere Helden müssen viel auf sich nehmen um einen sicheren Hafen zu finden und vielleicht auch ein neues Licht.
Überraschende Wendung die uns sehr erstaunt haben. Das Ende war sehr spannend und fesselnd, da man nicht wusste in welche Richtung es gehen könnte.
March 21, 2021
Nocterra is a pretty cool concept rife with possibility. It's also a very similar formula to Frostbite, the 2016 Vertigo series from Joshua Williamson and Jason Shawn Alexander. You just swap the cold in one for the darkness in the other and it's the same basic idea. Even the twist in the Maguffin is essentially the same.
You can read James' full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
You can read James' full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
June 12, 2021
La premisa de Nocterra es intrigante: un día ocurre el gran PM, el cielo se vuelve absolutamente negro y el mundo cambia para siempre. La oscuridad transforma animales, plantas y humanos en criaturas de la noche. Trece años después, la narración se centra en Val, camionera transportista de gente.
La historia está muy bien desarrollada, narrada desde la perspectiva de Val y desplegando los elementos de a poco. El arte es absolutamente genial, muy detallado y climático, con un diseño de personajes y criaturas fabuloso.
La historia está muy bien desarrollada, narrada desde la perspectiva de Val y desplegando los elementos de a poco. El arte es absolutamente genial, muy detallado y climático, con un diseño de personajes y criaturas fabuloso.
November 28, 2022
I've been collecting this series since its debut but am just now buckling in for the ride. WOW. The writing is excellent. So often a first comic issue feels half-finished, making you feel like you have to keep reading to figure out what just happened. This first issue feels fully fleshed-out, making you want to keep reading to find out what happens next. The worldbuilding and characters feel real. So well-done. And the art is so stunning, I'm actually taking time after reading the page to give it another look. I never do that. I'm so impressed!
December 19, 2022
A very interesting premise indeed! It did feel a little clunky and that was a heck of a lot of world building to throw into the first issue. But dang I am interested to find out what happens next and if the old man really is at fault for turning the world dark. I also really liked the presentation of the bond between her and her adoptive brother. I would definitely be interested to learn more about this world and especially about the weird shade animals.
March 3, 2021
Could have done without the cussing, in my opinion. I don’t think it really added anything to the story.
Anyway, the story itself...the world, the characters, the motivations, the mystery, the high octane action horror...all very intriguing. I plan to pick up book 2 and see where Snyder takes this. I enjoyed his writing on Dark Nights Death Metal, and think this series holds great promise.
Anyway, the story itself...the world, the characters, the motivations, the mystery, the high octane action horror...all very intriguing. I plan to pick up book 2 and see where Snyder takes this. I enjoyed his writing on Dark Nights Death Metal, and think this series holds great promise.
March 8, 2021
Scott Snyder on another creator owned project! This story was absolutely incredible, and I loved every second of it: from the focus on a world where TRUCKERS are the superheroes, to the horror elements in the PM monsters, to the general focus on character development and stakes. This is a fantastic read, and I can't wait for next issue!
April 24, 2021
4.4/5
This is easily the best book in my pull list right now. The worldbuilding is interesting, the characters are interesting, the art is fantastic. This has everything a good first issue should have. Post-apocalyptic stories like this usually feel worn out but there is something about "Nocterra" that just feels fresh. I hope it keeps up the momentum throughout its run.
This is easily the best book in my pull list right now. The worldbuilding is interesting, the characters are interesting, the art is fantastic. This has everything a good first issue should have. Post-apocalyptic stories like this usually feel worn out but there is something about "Nocterra" that just feels fresh. I hope it keeps up the momentum throughout its run.
January 13, 2025
3.75
The art and story were really well done and intriguing. The flashback at the beginning was a little slow, but the end and setup of the world being dark with a mystery (literally) man at the end makes you want to read more. Some of the language in this comic seemed forced and unnecessary though.
The art and story were really well done and intriguing. The flashback at the beginning was a little slow, but the end and setup of the world being dark with a mystery (literally) man at the end makes you want to read more. Some of the language in this comic seemed forced and unnecessary though.
February 27, 2021
I received the collector’s edition via KickStarter and while the script wasn’t the final version, the gist of the story was conveyed and I can’t wait to pick up the actual issue for comparison. Scott Snyder strikes again!
March 28, 2021
I really liked this!
The sun goes out. If anything biological is left in darkness for over 10 hrs they become what our gal calls "shades"- a nightmarish creature of the night, so to speak.
The art style and inking is really great and I'm excited to see what goes down in the next issue.
The sun goes out. If anything biological is left in darkness for over 10 hrs they become what our gal calls "shades"- a nightmarish creature of the night, so to speak.
The art style and inking is really great and I'm excited to see what goes down in the next issue.
August 9, 2023
What a great start to a new, creator owned, series! Scott Snyder, Tony S. Daniel, and Tomeu Morey are crafting a dark and disturbing tale of an unexpected version of apocalyptic Earth. If you haven't already, you owe it to yourself to pick up the series!
March 3, 2021
Honestly, amazing start. Hope it stays this great.
March 4, 2021
I really enjoyed this one, a very well written and drawn first issue. The premise is intriguing, and I can see this being a great story. Looking forward to next month!
March 5, 2021
Interesting! Feels like Snyder’s back to his roots here, which made his Batman and American Vampire so good.
March 5, 2021
This is an excellent start to what should be an amazing series
March 18, 2021
Awesome
A great first issue of a new sci-fi/horror series by a top creative team. If you like comics, you'll like this.
A great first issue of a new sci-fi/horror series by a top creative team. If you like comics, you'll like this.
March 19, 2021
4.25 Stars. I kinda had some doubts going in, but the story's interesting and Tony Daniel's artwork is fantastic. Definitely gonna pick up #2. Yeah, I think this might be the start of a great story.
April 9, 2021
How about that for a debut comic book? Consider me curious
April 13, 2021
Wow, everything to love here.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews