I tend to head into comic book reboots or sequels with skepticism as it is tough to match or exceed the vibe of a beloved franchise, this was my feeling with 30 Days of Night: Falling Sun, but what Rodney Barnes and Chris Shehan accomplish with the premiere issues quickly put those preconceived notions to bed. This new IDW Dark series honors the original tone and while establishing new characters and stakes.
The town of Barrow has moved on. Those who remember the vampiric terror of two decades past would rather not talk about it. Those who don’t remember don’t believe the stories. Ignorance will be their downfall, because a dark memory is stirring in the heart of Romania and it has set its sights on Barrow, the death place of Vicente. While vampires seek revenge for their fallen leader in Alaska, troubled teen Jalen James seeks sanctuary. After fleeing gang violence in Los Angeles, Jalen needs a fresh start. But he’s unlikely to find it as the sun falls…
When taking on a beloved franchise such as 30 Days of Night, it can be daunting. However, if you are going to have someone take the lead on a vampire project such as this it makes sense for someone like Rodney Barnes to be at the helm. Diving into the first few pages of 30 Days of Night: Falling Sun gave me the feeling of cracking open the original 2002 series by Steve Niles and Ben Templesmith. Which was unexpected, yet I guess should not have been surprising.
Where to begin can be the make or break moment in a reboot or sequel and can set the tone of what is to come. Setting the story 20 years later is a great starting point to give the tale the feeling of the original series, but its on fresh story. The time gap between stories allows for those in Barrow to have more of a sense of relaxation and ease, while still remembering those days through stories and memories. Touching on the history, while giving the story a fresh start allows the comic to have a strong foundation for the series.
While Barnes’ story is truly amazing, it’s the artwork from Chris Shehan that steals the show. Shehan’s ability to create a sense of foreboding and dread throughout the premier issue is unmatched. Chris takes into consideration what Templesmith crafted in 2002 and adds their own flair to it, balancing the old and the new with dark tones.
30 Days of Night: Falling Sun #1 is a truly stellar premiere issue. Rodney Barnes and Chris Shehan craft a tale that has the making of standing up to the original story. Their partnership of talented horror writing and stunningly terrifying imagery makes this series something you won’t want to miss. Hitting the marks for those fans of Steve Niles and Ben Templesmith’s creation while also allowing space for new readers to join the fray, 30 Days of Night: Falling Sun is a must-read horror series.
30 Days of Night: Falling Sun #1 hits local comic shops on October 15, 2025 from IDW Publishing.
30 Days of Night: Falling Sun #1 Preview
