Nightwalkers is an apocalyptic horror story that will have you on the edge of your seat from the first page to the last. Written by Cullen Bunn (Harrow County, A Legacy of Violence) and illustrated by Joe Bocardo, Nightwalkers is a textbook example of how great art and storytelling can come together to create something truly special.
First things first, let’s talk about the art. Joe Bocardo’s style is the perfect match for Cullen Bunn’s twisted world. Add to this the colors, by Colin Johnson, used throughout the book are mostly dull and muted, with pops of red for blood and other gore. This gives Nightwalkers a haunting, spine-tingling look that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading. The page layouts and overall design of the book are also top-notch, making it a pleasure to read from beginning to end.
But it’s not just the art that makes Nightwalkers stand out. The story itself is masterfully crafted. Bunn takes a group of characters who are already at a low point in their lives (patients at a secluded rehabilitation center) and throws them into a post-apocalyptic world overrun by demons. The result is a thrilling horror story that will keep you guessing until the very end. The demons in Nightwalkers have a unique and terrifying look, which adds an extra layer of horror to the story.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a horror story without some blood and gore, and Nightwalkers delivers on that front as well. The killings are gruesome and graphic, but not gratuitous. Every drop of blood serves the story, and makes the reader feel the sense of danger that the characters are facing. As the titular monsters close in on our protagonists, you’ll find yourself turning page after page, unable to look away from the gruesome imagery.
Overall, Nightwalkers is a book that successfully blends horror, suspense, and great artwork into one unforgettable package. The team of Bunn and Bocardo is a match made in heaven (or hell, in this case), and they deliver a story that will haunt you long after you’ve turned the last page.
Nightwalkers is on our must-read comics for 2023. The stunning artwork, masterful storytelling, and spine-tingling horror all come together to create an unforgettable reading experience. It is highly likely making our best comics of 2023 list at the end of the year.
Nightwalkers collected trade paperback hits bookstores everywhere on October 31, 2023 and local comic shops on November 1.
This review is a Feature Review during the Capes and Tights Horror Week 2023.