ABSTRACT – NILES, STEVE & TEMPLESMITH, BEN – THIRTY DAYS OF NIGHT. 2003. Idea –Design Works. In a spectacularly violent
graphic novel, an extremely evil group of vampires hit on the ultimate killing spree – they head for Barrow, in Alaska, where when the Sun sets it is not expected to shine again for a month. With no fear of being surprised by the dawn, the vampires have an unlimited opportunity to decimate an isolated cold wilderness community. They embark on their slaughter with the rapacity of sharks in full feeding frenzy. As the survivors from the massacre take refuge in cellars, and numbers dwindle, the hero realises that the
monsters can only be defeated by someone with powers equal to their own. He makes the supreme
sacrifice, allowing himself to be transformed into a vampire so that he can take down their leader in direct combat. As he recognises then that he is losing the will to be good any more, he forces the woman who loves him to take his life before he loses complete control. This is a simple story of hope and sacrifice in an environment where all hope seems to have vanished. The scale of the slaughter is startling as the vampires treat the population of Barrow like the ultimate free lunch. These are not romantic gothic vampires, but simple predators, devoid of humanity. The human nature is that of the man who ultimately saves what remains good and true and precious in life. It’s a superb, understated little horror work, that deserves to be filmed. The story works well in a graphic novel presentation – red blood – white snow – dark clouds and the all embracing night ad a unique mood and atmosphere of doom to the story. Everything seems shrouded in fog and smoke. The vampires have a craven zombie like appearance, and eyes of both monsters and frightened desperate people become the main focal point for the reader. It is very neatly drawn, and atmospheric work. www.IDWPUBISHING.com