Member Reviews

*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*

Issue 1: 3 Stars
Good start. Liked the gore.

Issue 2: 1 star
The nakedness triggered me and in general I felt that this part was just weird.

Issue 3: 4 stars
I really liked the story of Earl and how he said that his down there is bigger than his brain, that was funny. And the ending was so shocking.

Issue 4: 2 stars
Overall the whole teenage rebellion was cool and how the mother of the girl already told us indirectly how bad the father actually is. I reduced one star due to the ending triggering me.

Everything put together I would give this book a 3 star rating. I generally don't rate books too high that triggered me, but I really liked the whole idea. Also, the whole thing about how each issue was planned and such was cool to read too! I generally like when books show how they were made.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to read comics, especially ones that are mainly about murder and body horror.

———————————————————————————
Thank you Oni Press, for the advanced reader copy of Night People by Barry Gifford and Chris Condon

Started the book: 18. October 2024
Finished the book: 18. October 2024
Wrote the review: 18. October 2024

Was this review helpful?

This is based on a novel which is supposedly very good, but none of the depth or complexity reviewers of the original talk about is here. Zero character development, no narrative arc, no stakes.

Was this review helpful?

Very fun collection of graphic stories. Wonderful story line with superb art and dialogue. A very fun read indeed.

Was this review helpful?

An anthology, so mileage varies from story to story. All of them lurid tales of skuzzy people, none of them particularly illuminating, some of them slightly funnier than others. The art wildly varies in quality and approach as well, making the slender connections between stories a little harder to make.

If you're a fan of Gifford, I don't know what you'd find in these adaptations; if you're new to his work, this probably isn't the best argument either. But the execution is solid, and the read is fairly smooth.

Was this review helpful?

Night People: A Gripping Tale That Will Keep You Up All Night!

This exceptional story unfolds across four captivating chapters, each one diving deep into the life of a unique character. As their paths intertwine, the suspense builds, leaving you breathless. I was completely engrossed, and by the end, I had my jaw on the floor!

But beware—this isn’t a tale for the faint of heart. It’s dark, disturbing, and definitely worth checking trigger warnings before diving in. With masterful storytelling and stunning illustrations, Night People is a must-read for anyone seeking a thrilling experience. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable journey!

Was this review helpful?

"A ballet of brutality and beauty".

I would agree with the hardcover description. The visceral and violent cover drew me in. Both title and cover were kinda misleading. This wasn't what I was expecting to be honest. I was perhaps expecting the story to lean more on apocalyptic/ zombies 'ala walking dead' style but with two bad ass women as main protagonists. Not really disappointing just different from what I envisioned.

Pulpy and provocative. We follow an uneasy cast of wanted men and women, cartel-killers and lost souls through four interlocking tales. Highlights abusive behaviour of men against women and emphasis on feminine rights - and turning the tables and having women take their revenge and then some. This was interesting enough for me and I'd probably read the novel version sometime soon to know more about the characters and their back-stories.


Thanks to NetGalley and Oni Press for the arc. 🖤

Was this review helpful?

I’d like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.

A lush, lurid, tale sprawled across a nightmarish, Through Looking Glass version of America that seamlessly blends horror, mystery, and character study in one unforgettable story.

Any summary of the Night People will fail to do it justice. But in the interest of giving a preview, let’s say it's an adeptly written story of violent, passionate, desperate, people and the sparks that fly as their narratives intersect. There are, first and foremost, feminist, religious fanatics, who have some good points but won’t let something as trivial as murder prevent them from spreading the good word. There’s a man on the run from his past who’s about to run right into something worse than anything he left in his rearview. There’s a shockingly observant little girl who might be even more than she appears, going on an ill advised journey and trying to save her broken father. When these characters find their paths crossing, the result is something rare and memorable, true lightning in a bottle type stuff.

Night People combines the best elements of classic pulp like Tales from The Crypt with its shocking violence and grisly storytelling, while also pausing long enough to make its characters fully fleshed out, tragic human beings. While reading I thought the world of the story was reminiscent of the grittiest elements of Sandman by Neil Gaiman and what would happen if someone were to adapt the show True Detective into expertly lined and colored graphic novel form. The aesthetic virtuosity on display here from the various artists deserves just as much praise as the brilliant narrative elements. Skill and care just seep out of every panel and no matter what’s happening in the story at any given time, the art is a joy to see. In conclusion, this was a gripping and immersive world that fascinates even as it repels, it demands your attention and compels you to finish in one sitting.

A shocking, compelling, pulpy trip, Night People is like a road trip from hell across the Deep South and I for one can’t wait to get on the road again.

Was this review helpful?

Four interconnected stories of convicts, lost souls, and human monsters journeying through a labyrinth of perversion, religious dogma, and murder in the Deep South.

Wow. Not what I was expecting at all. Horror comes in so many packages, lovers with a twisted idea of God, a preacher who signed more than his congregation ever could, a drifted who doesn't know how he signed just that he did, and a child who just wanted to give her father her love.

The artwork was amazing, the story strong as well as shocking. I was floored by this and think it will stay in my head for some time.

Recommended but be aware there should be trigger warnings attached.
Sex, violence, rape, and pedophilia.

Thanks to @netgalley and Oni Press for giving me the opportunity to read this eArc in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

Was this review helpful?