Any fan of Scott Snyder and Tony S. Daniel knew that the duo's next venture, NOCTERRA, would be a book worth reading. But with the ongoing series now leaving its original Kickstarter goals in the rear-view mirror, those backing the book have more to look forward to than ever. And to celebrate, the creators are offering a new glimpse behind the scenes.
The project isn't like most Kickstarter comic books, typically built and released outside of the industry's publishing system. With the all-star creative team of writer Scott Snyder (Justice League), artist Tony S. Daniel (Batman), colorist Tomeu Morey, letterer Deron Bennett, and editor Will Dennis, NOCTERRA is a no-brainer for Image Comics, who are set to release the series alongside their many other creator-owned works. But to remove a wall between the creators and their audience, Snyder is leading the charge with his own Best Jackett Press—and in exchange for crowdfunding the production costs for all involved, is offering backers the NOCTERRA COLLECTOR’S EDITION, a whopping 72-page behind-the-scenes edition of the series’ debut issue. And now, Screen Rant has two new pages to show to those still deciding on a Kickstarter tier... or already counting the days until the series arrives.
The NOCTERRA COLLECTOR’S EDITION is designed to be a one-of-a-kind reading experience, with Scott Snyder's rarely seen original script displayed alongside Tony S. Daniel’s uncolored linework. With the Kickstarter goal already tripled, the next stretch goal—increasing the page count from 72 to 76 with even more of Daniel's concept artwork—is likely within reach. For now, even those who have yet to back the project can enjoy the preview pages below, along with Scott Snyder's explanation of the origin of the series, and his goal of bringing comic readers into the creative process in ways they've never experienced.
For the unfamiliar, the story of NOCTERRA takes place ten years after the world is plunged into an everlasting night that turns all living creatures into monstrous “shades.” Following the heroine Valentina “Val” Riggs, a skilled “ferryman” who transports people and goods along unlit roads with her reinforced (and illuminated) big rig, everything changes when an old man offers Val a job to drive him and his granddaughter to a near mythical sanctuary through the Rocky Mountains. A plot steeped in some of the most iconic science fiction and horror archetypes, but which Snyder reveals is also deeply personal:
For years I've been promising myself I'd recommit to creator owned comics and make a real go of it. That's what Best Jackett is about, entering a phase of my career where I'm pushing myself in new directions, with new partners who'll make me a better writer all around. We have a bunch of books lined up already. I can't wait to reveal more soon.
The book is personal for me. I was pretty terrified of the dark as a kid, and when my own son started having the same fears, the idea just occurred to me. What if tomorrow, night just never ended, and this new darkness, what if any living thing that stayed in it too long was transformed into something monstrous, a "shade" It's one of those ideas you have and you just know it's got everything you love to do. It marries the character driven, horror storytelling of WYTCHES with the widescreen action of my recent DC writing and Tony, his art has that same energy. It's big and bombastic, but his character work is masterful. We've been friends for a while and we've been looking for something to do together, something big and high-octane with a lot of heart. This felt perfect from go. I mentioned it to Tony over a year ago and we started working on designs, on a big outline... We've got a ton of story to tell, and I'm so grateful for his partnership.
We wanted the campaign to be about access and connection, just letting folks in to be a part of the team, the process of making the book. So the tiers are pretty simple, things like sketches and or seats in a class I'm teaching on writing. Pledging anything gives you access to the Q and A's we'll do, the live drawing sessions with Tony, all that. We really want the campaign to make people feel like a part of the book.
Find out more about the project, and ways in which you can support it on Kickstarter. NOCTERRA is set to be released by Image Comics in 2021.