Nocterra #10
The Sundogs storm Luna in Nocterra #10, by writer Scott Snyder, artist Tony S. Daniel, colorist Marcelo Maiolo, and letterer Andworld Design. Per usual, Nocterra drops another banger of an issue, building this story towards an exciting climax.
Piper is awakened from a nightmare by Adam as the Sundogs arrive at Luna. The group plans out their raid, and Val makes Piper and Adam stay behind in order to make sure they can escape with the coordinates. They make their move, getting the coordinates from Sam Sugar, head of Luna, and his bodyguard Diggs. Meanwhile, Adam and Piper realize the Nocturnes are back, something the Sundogs soon find out themselves. With the chips done, Piper and Adam infiltrate the facility and make their move, turning off the lamp for Luna.
Snyder drops the usual opening of the issue to go with Piper’s nightmare and the fears she has for the future. Bill has gotten into her head, and she’s questioning herself and her place in the world, which is compounded by Val telling her to stay behind. For anyone familiar with this type of story, it’s apparent her and Piper aren’t going to stay where they’re told.
All in all, this is a fun issue. For anyone expecting Snyder to do his world-building thing is going to be in for a shock; he doesn’t use this part of the story to build up the history of Luna, no rhapsodizing about the place from Bill. Readers get a glimpse of the leader of the whole thing, but that’s it. Seeing as this is only part four of the story, there are no real big blow-offs here or anything. It’s an exciting issue nonetheless; Snyder is a master of this kind of storytelling.
Daniel and Maiolo’s art is pretty good throughout, but Daniel’s figure work sometimes gets a little wonky, which is pretty normal for him. This is a dialogue-heavy issue, so there isn’t a lot of action, but Daniel and Maiolo still do a great job. There’s a great panel of Bill that’s a reaction panel with a creepy smile that is so good.
Nocterra #10 is another exciting chapter. Snyder, Daniel, and Maiolo do a great job with this issue, setting things towards the inevitable end of this part of the story. Nocterra is nothing short of entertaining, and this issue is another example of that.
