Written by Chip Zdarsky
Art by Jason Loo and Paris Alleyne
Published by Dark Horse Comics
Chip Zdarsky writes for everyone from Marvel, to DC, to indie publishers, to this new trade paperback collecting the ComiXology original, The All-Nighter.
Collaborating with Zdarsky are Jason Loo and Paris Alleyne who worked with him on another ComiXology original, Afterlift.
The All-Nighter, is a clever mishmash of genres as it takes horror creatures such as vampires, goblins, and more and mixes them with superheroes. Basically, lots of supernatural beings live in secret to avoid being destroyed by a secret order that keeps otherworldly beings thought of solely as fiction–”The Takers.”
However, one young vampire who lives with some secret bloodsuckers and helps run an all-night diner realizes if he dresses up like the superheroes he loves he can get away with showing off his strength and abilities without technically breaking any rules.
This results in a strange mix of supernatural and superheroic that manage to work quite well!
Zdarsky mixes his genres with skill and Loo’s artwork works perfectly whether he’s giving us a scene of a caped crusader leaping along rooftops or a troll threatening humans. Alleyne’s colors are a treat as even though much of the story takes place at night (we’re talking vampires, after all), he imbues the story with many pops of color via the heroic costumes or when a variety of otherworldly beings exercise their surreal powers.
The All-Nighter, is not a supernatural tale or a superhero yarn, it is a pleasing combination of both! I had a great time reading it and look forward to what this creative team might make next–be it something brand new or a sequel as there are some dangling plot threads at the end here that are begging for a follow-up.
5 out of 5 stars
