The story starts off with Risso’s brutal demand from local crime lord Rufus Tee to hand over his operation. His audacity has just been matched by his deadly ability. When Rufus’s men try to intervene, Risso’s vampiric speed and strength turn them into so much collateral damage. This scene establishes the atmosphere for the ensuing carnage and highlights the vampire gang’s vicious efficiency. Risso employs terrifyingly inventive strategies in addition to brutal ones. In order to demonstrate his gang’s newfound capacity to manage lesser animals, he renders Rufus unconscious and then abandons the gangster to be mauled by escaped zoo animals. It’s a moment that highlights their growing influence and ups the ante for anyone with the guts to stand up to them.
This issue does change the dynamic of the series quite dramatically. What started out as an individual affair has now morphed into a city-wide catastrophe. Risso and his guys don’t just take over the underworld of crime, they loose some sheer chaos in twisted comedies and horrors. Teleporting ice cream trucks into grocery stores, butchering people in front of cameras, their quirkiness never fails to extinguish lives. On the other hand, Amy, a human undeniable of her worth, attempts to take control of the situation. Her determination to retaliate provides a spark of optimism in what is a serially disturbing narrative. It is this interplay of hope and desperation that makes the readers pay full attention and anticipate the unfolding of events.
On an artistic note Night Club #4 is a work of art.On his debut, Juanan Ramírez’s expressive line work and film like paneling superbly brings forth each image, from the intense battle scenes to the tranquility before the chaos. He is also good at depicting the ferocity of the vampires and the helplessness of their prey. The color palette employed in the works of Fabiana Mascolo is also great. She manages to build tension through deep reds and dark colors that fit with the story. The city’s bright colours as opposed to the dark, ominous Vampires are elevates the visual appeal for every page. Clem Robins’s lettering deserves a special mention as well. The vampires’ speech is made more sinister thanks to the vampires’ sharp and jagged speech bubbles, whereas humanity’s smooth and clean fonts stress humanity’s vulnerability in this new world.
Risso knew well about the struggles to gain dominance. He infact witnessed it firsthand. As he was the one who was dominated. And he hated it. So later on, power struggle became like a game to him. Risk & reward. All his life he had been an underdog so begging for his life was never an option. It was also not his goal. All he had to do was learn how to survive & reap the advantages of winning. Night Club becomes the story about never ending tussle in a quest to achieve absolute power. The deeper the sink the stronger are the tides. Nightmares become a completely different reality. Mark Millar also describes the life long impact of bullying & abuse on both, the “dominant”, the one who considers others below him, & the “submissive”, the one who considers himself inferior. While they are not seeking out power, now seeking it empowers them. Night made them monsters. There was no shame in being warped. If anything, it gave them control. They only wanted revenge. So yes, power as a goal grafter gravitated towards them. The same sick urge continues even now.
The world of this comic shimmers in darkness, with the shadows being the only place it can breathe. If someone can say that art & story coexist perfectly then Green has executed that statement. Everything from imagery to story flow feels solid. Millar must have had dissatisfaction for dark art since even those shadows are rich with color. Its borderless existence perfectly captures the essence of bruised ego & resentment. This is true even for those who are new to the series. The main purpose of this game was absolute dominance so expect a lot of chaos. A lot of confusion turned to chaos. Even for die hard fans this will be a change. So mark your calendars as we continue on with issue #5!
Night Club isn‘t just another vampire story–it‘s a masterclass in storytelling that weaves action, horror, and emotional depth all in one go. With its strong character presence, high stakes, and stunning visuals, it is an issue that solidifies the series as a myst add to your pull-list! Get your copy now and witness the rise of one of the most menacing villains in comic book history. This is one story you will not want to miss!
SCORE:
4/5
Writer: Mark Millar
Artist: Juanan Ramirez
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Let us know what you think about this issue in the comments below, and stay tuned for more in-depth reviews and analyses of the hottest comics on the shelves.
Author Profile
- I'm Al Mega the CEO of Comic Crusaders, CEO of the Undercover Capes Podcast Network, CEO of Geekery Magazine & Owner of Splintered Press (coming soon). I'm a fan of comics, cartoons and old school video games. Make sure to check out our podcasts/vidcasts and more!
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