Nocterra #9
The convoy learns more about their destination in Nocterra #9, by writer Scott Snyder, artist Tony Daniel, colorist Marcelo Maiolo, and letters by Andworld Design. The team turns in another exciting issue in this one.
The Sundogs are pitched in battles against the Shades when the book opens, after the customary Val and Em flashback scene. Things look dire, but it's all a ploy to get the Shades in close to the trucks and turn the lights on in order to get food. They discuss their various plans, with Bailey getting close with the boy they picked up at the last outpost and Bill telling Val and Mother about Luna. Later, as they approach the base, they hit a minefield and are attacked by Nocturnes led by William, their new leader. Bailey, driving Bill's truck, uses a weapon he tells them about, releasing a bunch of human Shades, children all, on the attacking Nocturnes. Later, Bill and Bailey have a heart-to-heart about the world.
Snyder is a writer who definitely works very closely with his artists, and this issue is yet another example of it. There are two separate action scenes in this book, each allowing Daniel and Maiolo to flex their muscles. Each one does different things for the story. Readers are thrown into the first one in media res, which builds the scene's tension nicely, something that the art gets across very well. The second is one of the patented chase scenes that this book does so well and is a kinetic affair. Each one shows off what the art team is good at. The pages are well laid out, the action is clear, and they're exciting while allowing Snyder to do some great storytelling.
The middle section sees Snyder do some world and character building in the dialogue, as Bill lays out what Luna is for Val and Mother, what they do there, and what they might face. Meanwhile, Bailey bonds with the convoy's new arrival, a sweet little moment that lets her actually just be a kind. Elsewhere in the book, the Shades' connection with Em prevents him from destroying some of them, which feels like it will be important later.
The last couple of pages with Bailey and Bill are pretty great. They're two entirely different people; Bill is a cruel murderer who only sees the worst in the world. Bailey has hope for things and is disgusted by him having the human Shades - children - in his truck as a weapon. Their confrontation is a little masterpiece of tension that goes in an unexpected direction.
Nocterra #9 keeps up this book's run of entertaining issues. It has a little something for everyone and shows off what this book does so well on every page.
