Joy confronts her past while Andrea begins to realize that she can be a cop, or she can help her vigilante friends--but she can't do both.
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Score:
★★★★1/2 (4.5/5)
Chip Zdarsky is one of the best writers in comics and 'The All-Nighter' is just the latest example as to why that is true. He's a natural storyteller whose dialogue is effortless and plotting is seamless. There isn't an ounce of pretension or cynism in his delivery and coupled with amazing artists like Jason Loo and Paris Alleyne, 'The All-Nighter' looks and feels like prime entertainment.
All this is to say that the second arc in the story has been a wondrous joy. It all begins with the characters. The ties that bind them make them more interesting than the larger plot lines that surround them. That's a credit to Zdarsky because the larger plot lines are no less interesting but the dialogue and interactions between the vampire heroes are that much more compelling. It's also what makes this title so accessible and capabable of drawing new readers in instantly. I found myself wrapped up in each character's storyline immediately.
Joy breaks away to get back in touch with her family and it's awarkwardness is heartbreaking. Andrea realizes this tug-of-war inside her to police vigilantes and be an ally to them at the same time is untenable. Cynthia's exasperation as the den mother to these heroes feels like a heavy burden. And the suspicious hero team, Justice Angels, is poised to clash with Alex. There's a lot going on and it's all handled deftly and with considerable thoughtfulness.
Loo and Alleyne fill the pages with considerable detail and deep rich colors. The action is great but again, it's the "human" drama and empathetic concern for the characters that Loo conveys masterfully. The designs are great but it's clear the focus is on the characters behind the mask and that's not always easy to pull off. Sometimes, as superhero comics fans we can be fickle and want more action even at the cost of characterization. Here, Zdarsky creates a more balanced approach, perhaps less on the heroics and more about the motivations of the vampires disguised as caped heroes.
'The All-Nighter' is an addictively enjoyable read that is easily accessible to new readers. With an exciting but thoughtful approach to characters and action, Zdarsky impresses with another winning series.
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