Nocterra #5
Val, Em, and Bailey find a safe haven in Nocterra #5, by writer Scott Snyder, artist Tony S. Daniel, colorist Tomeu Morey, and letters by Andworld Designs. This issue is probably one of the finest of the book so far, with Snyder and company pulling out all the stops to surprise readers.
Val, Em, and Bailey make it to the safe haven they’ve been trying to get, and so many things happen. The group is given a choice about whether to stay there or not, with Val and Em having a very painful conversation about the reality of their lives. In the end, Val makes a discovery about the place that will change everything.
Snyder is in rare form in this issue. For example, there’s a cliffhanger moment in this book where Snyder uses two black pages with caption boxes to give the impression of a time-lapse, and it’s so very effective. The two pages build up the tension so well, drawing out the reveal that readers want. It’s anxiety-inducing, and it works so effectively, much more effective than the usual page turner panel would if the reveal was on the exact next page. It’s one of the highlights of an issue full of them. Snyder drops some information about the Prisms- buildings the world over-designed by Augustus before the Big PM to bring what he called the Light of God to the world.
There’s more world-building with the shades, and it’s even revealed that they have an opposite number. Snyder has done an expert job of world-building throughout these first fives issues, and this one is yet another example of that, giving readers some answers while also dropping hints that there’s way more going on than readers suspected in the first place. On top of that, there are just so many moments that will surprise readers- from the cliffhanger in the middle of the book to the reveal at the end that leads into the next issue. It’s a surprising comic, and that’s a great thing- it keeps readers on the edge of their seats throughout. On top of all of the thrills and world-building, there’s a heart and soul to the whole thing, as Em reveals that his vaunted optimism that Val has been talked up in every issue is a front for a broken man who doesn’t want to live in the world the way it is. It’s such a big moment, and it plays into the flashback at the beginning of the issue, as does the surprise at the end.
Daniel’s art is on point, as usual. He and Morey are killing it with this one. Take the Lux room, for example- it’s completely like anything readers have seen in the book so far, closer to something one would see in the real world at a fancy hotel than something that would exist in the world of Nocterra... it’s beautiful. The pencils and the colors creating an amazing image. Throughout the issue, the art team plays out some wonderful imagery, and it really makes the whole book come to life.
Nocterra #5 is what happens when beautiful art, expert world-building, and wonderfully emotional storytelling come together to create something exceptional. Snyder, Daniel, and Morey reach another level with this issue. It does a fantastic job of setting up more about the world, adding new things to the mix, has several great cliffhanger moments, and an ending that will leave readers begging for more. Everything about this issue is a triumph.
