Many of a vampire’s characteristics, from superhuman strength and shapeshifting to susceptible hypnotism, come directly from Bram Stoker’s Dracula, which placed the blood-sucking monstrosity on the pop-cultural map over a century ago. Writer Mark Millar’s latest series from Image Comics is an accessible new addition to comics’ vampiric canon, boasting a cover price of only $1.99. Illustrated by Juanan Ramírez with colors from Fabiana Mascolo and letters from Clem Robins, Night Club #1 is a clichéd origin story that gathers steam at its own pace.
Night Club #1 tells the story of teenager Danny Garcia who wants to impress his high school crush by becoming an internet sensation doing daredevil stunts on rooftops and earning a few bucks in the process. His best friends, Sam and Amy, are concerned about Danny’s safety while also being cautiously optimistic about the venture. But the worse comes to pass when a grave accident puts Danny in the hospital. This could’ve been the end of his misfortunes, but it is just the beginning of new misadventures as a vampire attack turns a bedridden Danny into a monster. Now it is up to him to decide how to make the most of his Devil-given gifts.
Night Club #1 quickly moves through the opening exposition with a flurry of scenes that show the enterprising protagonist’s urgency to achieve fame. But that teenage dream is short-lived, as the story abruptly changes course to pave the way for the rest of the series. Writer Mark Millar lets Danny explore his new powers in his own way, using his vampiric master as a conduit to guide him as well as the readers through the supernatural world. It is also crucial to the plot as the rules established in this issue explain the abilities that the vampires in this universe possess. Millar keeps the dialogue natural and adds humor where he can to make this first issue a fun read.
Night Club #1 opens with a youthful energy thanks to Juanan Ramírez and Fabiana Mascolo’s artwork. The expressions are on point and complement the script, accenting the personalities of the trio of friends as they go about their days. Soon, dark shadows begin to seep through Ramírez’s inks, engulfing the teenage protagonist from all sides. Mascolo sets the tone using moody colors. But the best thing about the spread is Mascolo’s adaptability to match the characters’ demeanor, with the background colors changing shades to keep up with the sudden shifts in tone.
Night Club #1 dumps a ton of information on the reader in the debut issue. But the engaging narrative flow and interesting characters make the world feel inviting and intriguing. Danny is indomitable in spirit. Even when the situation looks grim, he keeps moving forward as Millar takes him deeper into the supernatural. High school drama and the threat of a sinister war on the horizon make Night Club #1 a great starting point for the series.
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