LITTLE MONSTERS #2: Change, It Comes at Night

Lemire splits the narrative track for this issue, We meet the one that made Romie, who we learn is the oldest of the children having survived as a vampire longer than the rest. The opening pages are dedicated to Romie’s history and how they became a vampire but stop short of us seeing the change. The vampire elder’s characterization is fascinating, there’s a plaintive, apologetic note of regret to its actions that I wasn’t expecting and that’s the kind of surprise in the writing I really enjoy in a story. I thought Billy was the central protagonist last issue but Lemire disabuses that notion as we meet the narrator of the issue in another shocking ending that connects several dots including the unexpected appearance of a human man in the children’s lives and gives some insight into where we are going with the story.

While Billy no longer feels like the main character, his actions in this issue make things very clear…these children are very much predators and they have forgotten or never tasted human blood. That taste is a high that will change things forever as the revelation that they are not alone and that there are more humans less than two hours away is revealed to Billy. The theme for the issue is change and Lemire crafts a clever and skillful narrative of words about change through the issue applying the same principle to several situations before the introduction of the narrator’s character is revealed. It’s a very strong and cleverly written second issue that builds the history of the characters as well as propels the story forward with some revelations thrown in for good measure.

While issue one introduced us to the characters as vampires, the introduction was soft. Not so in issue two, Dustin Nguyen makes sure we see the monstrous side of the children as we watch Billy feed. Again the use of arterial red against the black, white, and toned backgrounds is startling and drives the horror element home far harder than it did in issue one. Nguyen shows off an absolutely marvelous use of contrast as he renders the vampire elder an exact contrast to the children and every other character, choosing to make the facial lines white and the skin tone pitch black in direct contrast to everyone else which enhances the difference of the creature. It’s another masterclass issue that holds one’s attention from start to finish.