With the release of Nocterra #1, Image Comics has redefined the post-apocalypse. Though the company has often explored worlds set after society's end, rarely has an apocalypse felt so novel and fresh.
The comic from writer Scott Snyder and artists Tomeu Morey and Tony S. Daniel is set in a world completely engulfed by darkness. Thirteen years before the story, sunlight stopped shining on earth, but that's only the beginning of the world's problems. Any living being exposed to darkness for too long becomes a mutated creature known as a Shade that is hell-bent on making more of its kind. As a result, humanity has been forced to huddle together in cities dominated by spotlights and lightbulbs. The only people who dare venture outside of cities are the long-haul truckers who escort people and resources into the last remnants of civilization. A driver named Val and her brother Emory are on their last legs when they're offered a job that will take them into the world's darkest recesses.
One thing that is immediately apparent about Nocterra is how well the setting is worked into the story. Snyder has clearly thought through the implications of a world where darkness is fatal. Characters wear clothes that light up, Val and Emory's home is a city that survived the apocalypse because it was home to a lightbulb manufacturer. Everything is thought out so that the world is entirely believable in a way that most post-apocalypses aren't. It's a tough needle to thread, but Snyder nails it.
The character writing also deserves special mention. Though few others are given much time, Val and Emory shine in every page. Val's narration not only provides context for the story's events but also helps readers understand what's going through her head. It's easy to see how the setting has impacted both of the series' central characters and both of them provide a compelling reason to keep reading.
Snyder's writing isn't the only thing making this title a fascinating read though, as much of the book's strength also comes from the work of Morey and Daniel. Fittingly enough, both artists use lighting to superb effect. The difference between the present's artificial light and the past's natural sunlight feels like the difference between despair and hope. Another standout from the artists is the character which shows up at the first issue's end. His existence is a minor spoiler, but needless to say, the design is striking and further plays on the title's themes of light and dark.
After the end stories are a dime a dozen in the modern world, and that's even more true for stories involving zombies. But Nocterra proves there's new ground to be explored. No comic company has the same track record of standout titles like Image Comics, and Nocterra #1 is another strong addition to their unique lineup.