30 Days of Night: Red Snow
Book #8
Story: Ben Templesmith
Art: Ben Templesmith
Letters: Neil Uyetake & Robbie Robbins
Editor: Chris Ryall
Collection Design: Chris Mowry
Collection Edits: Justin Eisinger
IDW Publishing
30 Days of Night: Red Snow is a prequel to 30 Days of Night set in 1941 in Soviet Russia. The British military is in place making sure that crucial supplies make it through the region to Stalin’s men as they battle the Nazis. Meanwhile Nazi squads are combing the snow-covered region destroying villages of those who stand in their way or anyone who is found aiding their enemy. Soon the two sides will realize they are not the only two factions in the area and will have to put differences aside as best as possible if they hope to survive an enemy that neither side could of ever imagined to exist.
The first thing that came to mind as I turned the final page of this incredible graphic novel was it had a very similar vibe to the George Romero classic Night of The Living Dead for reasons any horror fan will recognize by the time they reach the middle of chapter two. The biggest difference being off course that instead of brain craving zombies the survivors in this tale are facing vicious and cunning vampires. The vampires are lead by a little girl who despite her innocent and harmless appearance from a far is a pint sized killing machine that craves only fresh blood. Those who do not perish at their hands become her personal playmates and join the ranks of the undead.
Also while I was reading through 30 Days of Night: Red Snow I found myself humming the soundtrack to Pink Floyd’s The Wall in my subconscious due to the art style. The expressions on the solder’s faces and their overall design just screamed The Wall in my opinion. Ben Templesmith is a remarkable artist who creates some of the most realistic and breathtaking recreations of light and shadow I have ever experienced. Every panel featuring the use of a flamethrower or involving low light completely blew me away and had me exclaiming “Wow” aloud many times. In addition, Ben does a great job at making you truly feel the bleakness of the wintery atmosphere the survivors have to endure on top of fighting for their lives against evil monsters.
I enjoyed this prequel a lot more than I did the original story I have to admit and am now looking forward to reading some of the other 30 Days of Night collections. If you are a fan of the vampire sub-genre this is an absolute must read book and deserves to be part of your collection. 30 Days of Night: Red Snow really sticks out when it I think back of all the vampire related media I have been exposed to over the years as one of the most solid takes on the sub genre I can think of. A classic bloodsucker tale that is sure to please veteran horror fans and newcomers a like I can not recommend this title enough trust me this time around pick up this book and bask in all its glory.
Note: As an added bonus you are also treated an awesome art gallery and an interview with Ben Templesmith as well with this collection.
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