Never By Night: Disturbing Passages Into The Unknown - SnowyWorks [Part Two]

NEVER BY NIGHT: DISTURBING PASSAGES INTO THE UNKNOWN, October 2024

Whilst some readers of “Chronicles Of The Occult: Tennison” may simply come away with a disturbing dread of some well-dressed gentleman lurking in the dark shadows of their bedroom, those bibliophiles who decide to peruse this sixteen-page fright-fest more than once should arguably find that Jonathan Chance’s narrative ages like a fine wine. In fact, this is almost certainly one of those tales which actually benefits from repeatedly viewings, as the central protagonist’s belief that ghosts don’t actually exist is clearly shaken to its core when he recalls a childhood terror he experienced alongside his brother.

In addition, the somewhat pedestrian pace to this story will doubtless lull many in its audience into dropping their guard just as the sceptical hero takes them back to a much more disconcerting time - when his adolescent imagination and perhaps a decidedly dangerous manifestation of the undead, completely robs the boy and his family of their happy home. This timing is incredibly well done, as the author completely wrong steps the onlooker into thinking they’ll soon be visiting “England’s most haunted house” for a ‘run-of-the-mill’ encounter with some ghastly ghoul. But are instead transported to a truly terrifying night set in West Sussex some thirty two years earlier.

Just as entertaining as what this yarn depicts though, is debatably what it does not. Indeed, it’s difficult to remember an adventure which leaves so many questions ruminating in the head, due to no afterword detailing just what subsequently happened to the two ‘ghost hunter’s when they finally did visit an eerie rectory, nor how an “open-minded” Henry was convinced to accompany his companion on such a journey in the first place; “Who knows what I will encounter. Maybe I’m just scared under it all. Because if ‘they’ do exist then I may have to face my fear.”

Rather neatly helping imbue this graphic novel’s second offering with a genuine antiquated atmosphere are they layouts of C.E. Zacherl and colours by Zachary Kjoge. Together, these two artistic forces provide a great deal of solemnity to the publication’s proceedings, which well-suit the professional pace of a politely spoken man who clearly takes great pride (and time) in his morning ritual. Furthermore, there’s some wonderful touches in the odd panel which really help sell the unholy nature of young Henry’s visitation, such as the breath leaving the boy's mouth whilst he sleeps.

Written by: Jonathan Chance, Illustrated by: C.E. Zacherl and Colored by: Zachary Kjoge