by Eli Katz » Thu Jun 23, 2011 9:54 am
All Nighter #1 is a sharply written book that introduces us to one of the most complex protagonists in comics -- a quirky, short-haired femme fatale who's homicidal and self-possessed and yet sweet and instantly likeable.
The book focuses on Kit, an art student by day and a lookout by night for her thieving ex-boyfriend. She's an odd character in a crime book that reads more like a teenage romance comic than a pulpy noir. She isn't particularly tough and by no means does she revel in her criminality. On the contrary, she's filled with guilt for the misdeeds she commits -- especially the small lies that she tells her friends.
Yet, there is a psychopathic nonchalance to her. She explains in the opening pages, for example, that breaking up with her criminal boyfriend was nearly as difficult as killing her mother. Kit should be repellant to us as soon as she makes this disturbing comparison and equally disturbing confession. But she has enough charm and easygoing humor to make us forget that she's probably a lunatic.
All Nighter also introduces a strong supporting cast, and promises to develop intriguing tension between Kit's friends, family, and roommates. Each of these characters -- from Kit's best friend to her brother -- are made instantly recognizable and three-dimensional. Writer-artist David Hahn is an efficient storyteller, managing to provide a clear sense of each supporting character in just a few panels.
The black-and-white art in All Nighter is straightforward, yet gorgeously detailed. Because it is a character-driven book, the character designs need to be lively and the illustrations exceedingly consistent. And Hahn accomplishes both. This is a book with a strong, unique look.
All Nighter #1 is an excellent read. This series promises to be one of the best, most original comics of 2011.
STORY: 9
ART: 9.5
OVERALL: 9.25
Last edited by
Eli Katz on Thu Jun 23, 2011 10:13 am, edited 1 time in total.