American Gothic Press and Famous Monsters of Filmland are back once again to satisfy your craving for creepy, creature-filled comics, and, this time, they’ve brought horror comic icon Steve Niles (30 Days of Night, Criminal Macabre) along for the ride. Paired with artist Nat Jones (28 Days Later: The Aftermath, Frank Frazetta’s Death Dealer), Niles’ latest monster tale, Broken Moon, capitalizes on the growing fear that mankind has irreparably damaged our own planet and that our arrogant and foolish actions as a species will lead to our ultimate downfall.
Oh, and there are vampires, werewolves, and other critters too, of course. You know Niles isn’t going to leave you horror fans high and dry!
MINOR SPOILERS BELOW
Broken Moon #1 sets its story in a post-apocalyptic world, where international war has permanently damaged the moon and tossed the world we know into chaos. Seizing the opportunity present at this time, vampires, werewolves, and other horrific creatures reveal themselves to the world and assume control of the once human-ruled planet Earth. Now, in this dark and hopeless future, humankind struggles to stay alive as a vicious conflict brews between the ruling vampire society (who farm the humans for blood) and the forest dwelling werewolves.
Niles script is a dark and exciting blend of The Terminator and 30 Days of Night (with perhaps a dash of Underworld and a pinch of X-Men: Age of Apocalypse . . . just the good parts), painting a tale that blends the popular dystopian genre with Niles’ beloved creatures of the night. Several comics have played with the concept of futuristic horror in this way (Todd McFarlene’s Spawn spinoff, Curse of the Spawn, comes to mind. Joss Whedon’s Fray had similar elements, but a different flavor.), but Niles has pulled it off in a way I haven’t seen before. Broken Moon doesn’t feel goofy, forced, or even campy but, instead, comes off as fast-paced, deadly serious, and brimming with dramatic tension.
Jones‘ art style could not be more perfect for Niles‘ story. The sequential artwork in Broken Moon #1 is inky, moody, and, ultimately, gorgeous. Jones’ work seems to envelope the reader in the pitch-black shadows of a world gone dark without ever losing a beat of clarity in regards to Niles‘ script. Simply put, Broken Moon is visually stunning and features atmospheric artwork that is sure to satisfy those who get a kick out of wandering around cemeteries at night.
FINAL VERDICT: At this point, American Gothic Press and Famous Monsters of Filmland have proven that their partnership is resulting in quality horror and sci-fi comics, and Broken Moon is another success from this dynamic duo. If you’re already a fan of Steve Niles and/or Nat Jones, then just add this series to your pull list now. If you’re a horror or sci-fi fan or dig the werewolf or vampire genres, I implore you to give the first issue of Broken Moon a shot. I’m sure you’ll be back for a second bite.
You can find out more about Broken Moon #1 by visiting the official American Gothic Press website. and by pre-ordering the comic at your local comic shop today, July 23, which is the final order cutoff for pre-orders.
That’s all for now, comic book sniffers!
‘Till the end of the world,
-Bryant the Comic Book Slayer
@ComicBookSlayer
