SPOILER ALERT: If you do not want to know which series will never see the light of day again, pun intended, stop reading now.
Before this mini-series began, “30 Days of Night” and “Criminal Macabre” creator Steve Niles promised that by the end of it all, one of these series would be finished.
Well, it’s over.
“30 Days of Night” is dead.
In an epic, but all too quick final battle, zombie, private detective Cal McDonald will live to fight another day. But his fight to rid the world of evil has just begun. Even with Eben’s death, the vampires are still strong and organized. That being said, McDonald and Mo’Lock’s journey is just beginning.
This issue is essentially one huge fight. While artist Christopher Mitten’s art is solid, there are a few scenes were the zombies look a bit more like vampires. Other scenes make it a bit too difficult to tell what is actually happening. The scale of the battle and gore is absolutely there, but the emotional element isn’t as strong as it could be. McDonald goes through a heck of a lot emotionally and physically in this issue. you don’t necessary get it from the visuals.
Niles’ writing has McDonald as his usual wise-ass self; a few different facial expressions could have helped convey the sense of loss and adaption the character goes through. the same thing goes for Eben. In a mere 26 pages, Niles is able to basically end the work that put him on the map and almost reinvent his younger, but more diverse creation. It’s a lot to do. Although it feels rushed, it is a fitting climax.
This issue is also a shift for Niles too. After issue three, it appeared Eben and the vampires had McDonald’s number, but the shifty detective got the last laugh. Much like the “Criminal Macabre” series, it ultimately proved to have more staying power, even if it isn’t the attraction “30 Days of Night” was. Yet. McDonald is such an engaging character that it would have been silly and unfair to put him to bed before it was his time.
Instead, he’s been reborn.
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