Legendary writer Scott Snyder and writer/artist Tony S. Daniel are teaming up with Image Comics to release their ongoing comic book Nocterra. This dystopian thriller series, formerly known as Nocternal, received a tremendous amount of support on Kickstarter. The first issue will be released on March 3, 2020.
Snyder's writing work for DC Comics has helped shape their entire continuity, writing titles such as Batman, Justice League, and Dark Knights: Death Metal. Daniel, who will be the artist on the book, has also worked on Batman as well as Teen Titans and became a New York Times best-selling author when he was writing Detective Comics. The rest of the creative team includes colorist Tomeu Morey, letterer Deron Bennett, editor Will Dennis, and designer Emma Price.
Image Comics announced the series would premiere in March under their banner. Nocterra marks both Snyder's and Daniel's return to solo creator-owned. In the announcement, Snyder compares Nocterra to some of his previous creator-owned horror titles: “It mixes the horror of my indie series like Wytches and American Vampire with the high-octane stakes of my DC work to bring you something personal, twisted and big, big fun." Daniel adds: "Building these characters and their world, their fight for survival in this dangerous dark world, really makes Nocterra a thrilling project for us."
The series is extremely personal for Snyder as it harkens back to his childhood fear of the dark. The story takes place ten years after the world has been plunged into darkness, which turns the living into shades. Humanity's only salvation is remaining close to artificial light to stave off this monstrous transformation. Readers will follow ferryman Valentina "Val" Riggs, who takes people and their goods wherever they need to go, no matter how dangerous, in her 18-wheeler imbued with light.
Nocterra serves as an amazing example of what top-tier creative talent can do during the pandemic on a crowdfunding campaign. The comic was the first Kickstarter campaign run by the creators, and they raised $218,380. The Kickstarter gave backers access to a collector’s edition of Nocterra that differs from the Image Comics release. The crowdfunded book is a whopping 72 pages long with plenty of behind-the-scenes features, including Snyder's script displayed and Daniel’s uncolored linework. Crowdfunding platforms have really hit their stride this year with many big-time creators joining the platform. Just look at Todd McFarlane from earlier this year who raised more than $1 million through his Spawn campaign.
The extra-sized first issue of Nocterra will premiere on March 3, and can be picked up for $3.99. In addition to its physical release, Nocterra will also be available digitally on Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, comiXology, and Google Play.
Source: Image Comics