Never By Night: Disturbing Passages Into The Unknown #2 - SnowyWorks [Part Four]

NEVER BY NIGHT: DISTURBING PASSAGES INTO THE UNKNOWN No. 2, October 2025

Quite possibly saving this horror anthology’s best story for last, Jonathan Chance’s “Collect Them All” is also this comic book collection’s most straightforward zombie-fest thriller – at least at the beginning when it seems that the author is simply corralling as many hapless innocents as he can muster into Pirate Pete’s Pizza House before unleashing a flesh-hungry cadaver amongst them. Enjoyably however, things don’t actually pan out that way at all, with the writer cleverly shifting the focus away from the adorable little Missy and her doting grandfather on to the staff working behind the counter at the fast-food diner.

This switch is remarkably well done, and definitely helps stop the narrative from flagging during its middle as the likes of David and Josh desperately attempt to leave the restaurant despite police marksmen cold-bloodedly gunning down any one reckless enough to escape their containment zone. In addition, the tale provides an intriguing cause behind the sudden and undoubtedly deadly outbreak, which will no doubt appeal to any within the audience who enjoy countrywide administration conspiracy theories; “But if you wanted to be the first to break the story… on the bio-hazard disaster at the Techizo Corporation and what the U.S. Government did to cover up a major outbreak occurring here.”

By far this yarn’s biggest hook though has to be the author’s ability to mix heart-warming emotion with sense-shattering action. The kind, loving relationship between the aforementioned little girl and her granddad is genuinely moving, especially once the child falls to the merciless infection and her elderly carer refuses to give her up to her ungodly craving for human brains. Nonetheless, such sentimentality is also quickly pushed from out of the readers’ minds, as the few remaining survivors terrifyingly find themselves fighting for their lives against both their former friends, as well as the people they originally thought must be coming to their rescue.

Ably adding plenty of gore and buckets of physical mutilation is penciller Rodel Noora, who alongside colourist Alzir Alves, does a fantastic job of ramping up the publication’s pace once the deaths start occurring. Indeed, the slow speed of this tale’s opening appears to neatly match that of the somewhat doddering old man spending time with his wholly innocent granddaughter, and then dramatically increases once the much younger and energetic protagonists take centre stage.

Written by: Jonathan Chance, Illustrated by: Rodel Noora, and Colored by: Alzir Alves

Never By Night: Disturbing Passages Into The Unknown #2 - SnowyWorks [Part Three]

NEVER BY NIGHT: DISTURBING PASSAGES INTO THE UNKNOWN No. 2, October 2025

It’s probably a safe bet that few, if any readers of “Now All Is Silver Blue” expected Jonathan Chance to pen so heart wrenching a story as he has, with desperate Eddie so tragically torn between the survival of his family and his sense of responsibility for the rest of a frost-bitten bunker’s inhabitants. True, much of this fourteen-page tale’s horror comes from the cold-hearted cannibalistic nature of the bandits who snatch the man’s adolescent son, rather than any supernatural ghoul or grisly walking cadaver. But that doesn’t detract from the sheer horror most bibliophiles will probably feel when they realise the child’s chances of enduring being eaten alive are increasingly slim.

Similarly as likely to make an emotional impact upon the audience though, has to be the treacherous nature of the other people who this plot’s central protagonist appears sworn to protect. Ultimately, the seemingly stubborn, almost forlorn sentry is proved right in his concerns that his party could still be attacked by the sharp-toothed killers who scour the frozen tundra looking for human meat. And so when the rest of the shelter’s inhabitants cowardly depart behind his back with all the remaining supplies, it really does appear that fate has tragically truly deserted one of the few virtuous people left alive on the desolate planet.

Perhaps this narrative’s most haunting moment however comes at its conclusion, when the father is forced to lie to his potentially dying offspring that everything will be okay once the boy wakes up. This scene is incredibly well-written, and packed with a tremendous amount of emotion. Indeed, it is possibly even more impactive because it leaves so many questions unanswered as to the supply-strapped couple’s ultimate fate, and resultantly relies upon the onlooker’s imagination to fill in the gaps – something which is almost naturally going to lean towards a disconcertingly dark and undoubtedly grim demise for the pair; “Okay Daddy. Love you.”

Undeniably adding plenty of pathos to Chance’s harsh world of biting winds and knee-deep snow are Emilio Utrera’s pencils. The illustrator is super successful in establishing just how violent Eddie’s life has become, and just how ‘hands-on’ the man is willing to be so as to save his loved ones from the cruelty surrounding them. Yet, it is also the artist’s ability to depict the character’s touching tenderness for little Louie which makes this agonizing adventure so genuinely enthralling.

Written by: Jonathan Chance, and Illustrated/Lettered by Emilio Utrera

Never By Night: Disturbing Passages Into The Unknown #2 - SnowyWorks [Part Two]

NEVER BY NIGHT: DISTURBING PASSAGES INTO THE UNKNOWN No. 2, October 2025

There’s an almost palpable sense of familiarity to the opening of “Video Van Man”, which may well bring back many a nostalgic memory to those readers old enough to remember regularly renting home movies for their videocassette recorder from their local supplier. In fact, for the first few pages of Jonathan Chance’s narrative the central character appears to be a pretty laid back individual who appears to be happy simply bringing joy to children with the latest adult-rated horror flick; “There’s always that eight-year-old kid who gets the 18 Certificate because his dad’s pretty cool.”

However, events soon take on a much darker turn once the seemingly unflappable rental man’s ire is raised, even when it’s something as innocuous as one of his tapes accidentally breaking and having to be cello-taped back together. This transition is remarkably well-penned, as Bob slowly shows his true, malicious nature whenever he is crossed by either a customer ill-advisedly visiting his home, or a nosey neighbour who calls the authorities to report his unlicenced business.

Ultimately though, this eleven-page yarn doesn’t really step into the realm of a truly horrific tale until its finale, when the ‘narrator’ decides to tell the audience what really ticks him off the most. Having somewhat lulled any bibliophiles into a false sense of security with his low-level beatings, thrown citrus fruits and marriage break-ups, the maniac suddenly ramps up the violence ten-fold by merrily hacking to pieces any patrons foolish enough to stop hiring videos from his vehicle. So savage an escalation really will catch many an onlooker by complete surprise, especially when the build-up to the actual act is penned so nonchalantly by Chance.

Proficiently pencilling this descent into cold-blooded murder and chopped up body parts is Mike Bogdanovic. The artist appears particularly adept at making the inside of the van appear both extremely exciting with all the different film titles lined up along its interior walls, and inviting – at least during the yarn’s beginning. In addition, the perpetual sereness on Bob's face should send chills down some spines, particularly when he’s casually cutting his way through a helpless human being with a carving knife just because they've most unwisely chosen not to use his cut-price services any more.

Written by: Jonathan Chance, Illustrated by: Mike Bogdanovic, and Colored by: Theresa Chiechi

Never By Night: Disturbing Passages Into The Unknown #2 - SnowyWorks [Part One]

NEVER BY NIGHT: DISTURBING PASSAGES INTO THE UNKNOWN No. 2, October 2025

Throwing one and all head-first into the high-pressure world of hosting a popular American chat show, Jonathan Chance’s storyline for this horror anthology's opening trip into terror will surely utterly engross its readers. Indeed, whether it be Dick Halloway’s dream job in television simply being too good to be true, or a sinister extra-terrestrial serpent suddenly screeching down to Earth in a torpedo-shaped spacecraft, it quickly becomes clear that despite all the upcoming celebrity’s aspirations for super-stardom, the young man will instead soon be facing some truly gruesome fate.

Impressively however, rather than simply play this twenty-six page plot out as a straightforward alien possession yarn akin to Jack Finney’s novel “The Body Snatchers”, the author instead rather cleverly taps into his audience’s sentimentality by having the central protagonist’s dying father reach out to his son one last time before succumbing to old age. This dream sequence, poignantly penned by the author, makes it surprisingly clear that Holloway is already doomed. But then still keeps everyone hooked by having his Dad also whisper something in his ear which could yet lead to the unwilling host potentially defeating the ultimate goal of the monster writhing around in his head.

Furthermore, for those fans eager to witness some grotesque-looking physical mutilation and buckets of blood-splattered gore, “Late Night Host” shouldn’t disappoint either. In fact, the longer poor Dick mentally battles the malign entity fighting for control of his body, the more painful and unpleasant his metamorphoses become – with the final confrontation resulting in him savagely tearing himself free of his own skin in a last gasp effort to rid himself of the sinister influence from outer space; "I want my life back!”

Just as successful as this tale’s scary script are Joao Azeitona Vieira’s layouts, which alongside the colours of Ren Spiller, do a fantastic job of illustrating Halloway’s descent into a blank-eyed catatonic state. Of particular note though has to be the way the illustrator manages to pencil the sheer desperation and agony suffered by Ben Conrad’s ultimately unfortunate replacement. The look on Dick’s face during his last rational moments are wonderfully intense, and contrast so well with almost peaceful look he has seconds later when he realises his father was proud of him for fighting off the alien for as long as he could.

Written by: Jonathan Chance, Illustrated by: Joao Azeitona Vieira, and Colored by: Ren Spiller

Never By Night: Disturbing Passages Into The Unknown #1 - SnowyWorks [Part Four]

NEVER BY NIGHT: DISTURBING PASSAGES INTO THE UNKNOWN No. 1, October 2024

Rather neatly rounding off this anthology title’s “brand-new collection of horror stories”, Jonathan Chance’s “This One’s A Winner!” originally seems set to focus upon the trials and tribulations of weak-willed ex-smoker Don Patterson. However, that particular notion is soon dispelled once the man’s fairly run-of-the-mill family arrive in Las Vegas, and he mysteriously disappears during the dead of night whilst the others are fast asleep; “I’m so sorry to say he isn’t there either. Can we call the Police for you..?”

What then follows is the wife’s intriguing search to find her husband, and discover just what trouble he has gotten himself into. This investigation is as enthralling as its end is gratuitously gruesome, and soon reveals the magnificent metropolis to be a much more corrupt and sinister place than its mesmerizingly bright lights initially suggest. Indeed, the notion that the evil mastermind behind Don’s departure even owns the very hotel in which the story’s central protagonist dwells is enough to cast a shadow of doubt as to the sincerity of every character the woman encounters – in particular the occasionally unhelpful attendant on reception.

Perhaps this tragic tale’s biggest draw though lies inside the impressively large, freshly-built casino known as The Odyssey. Up until this point in the yarn, there is always the distinct possibility that poor Don might actually still be alive. But once his wife and children begin innocently playing some of the gambling machines, that likelihood is quickly put to bed in a genuinely terrifying way. Indeed, the notion that it is Patterson’s entirely innocent kids who begin finding their father’s numerous body parts is super-shocking, and leads straight into a wonderfully chilling one-liner by the heartless murderer behind the mutilated man’s demise.

Definitely imbuing these pulse-pounding proceedings with a distinctly clean-cut look is the pencilling of Fernando Damasio. Admittedly, some of this story’s later panels might strike the odd reader as being a little less physically animated than perhaps the emotionally-charged script requires. But the artist’s straight-lined style certainly makes it clear just what is happening, and perhaps most importantly, what bits of Don are unceremoniously discharged from out of the arcade apparatuses whenever his family hit the jackpot.

Written by: Jonathan Chance, Illustrated by: Fernando Damasio and Colored by: Roman Stevens

Never By Night: Disturbing Passages Into The Unknown #1 - SnowyWorks [Part Three]

NEVER BY NIGHT: DISTURBING PASSAGES INTO THE UNKNOWN No. 1, October 2024

Initially intimating that the highly disagreeable Jenna is probably going to be brutally murdered by some bald-headed maniac who lurks within the undergrowth of a children’s play park, Jonathan Chance’s script for “Respect Your Elders” does a good job in throwing its audience a disconcertingly dark curveball. True, the antagonistic teenager unsurprisingly soon meets a decidedly grim end at the Pit’s Rehabilitation Centre. But the manner of the rebellious tearaway’s demise is significantly different from what any bibliophile was probably anticipating, and resultantly ends the eleven-page plot on an unsettling high-note.

Indeed, many elements of this horror tale appear to have been introduced simply to cause its readers to feel uneasy - whether it be the increasingly large gathering of geriatrics surrounding the lone girl playing on a swing, Jenna seemingly being completely oblivious to her impending peril due to wearing a set of music-pounding ear-plugs, or the bubbling, bothersome chatter the encircling crones appear to be excitedly conversing in. Furthermore, at one point, some onlookers arguably might even fear it’s the young woman’s utterly impotent foster-carers who might be killed off, seeing as they’ve somewhat callously conveyed her to the “stay-cation” site and appear to be the only parents present within the caravan lot.

All of these well-penned possibilities continue to puzzle until the very moment when the antsy delinquent leaps from her swing, and encounters a death few would have seen coming. This shock is made all the more impactive when it’s revealed that the entire location is a well-guarded front for making its elderly occupants near-immortal, and that the purple-haired hothead clearly isn’t the first tiresome troublemaker to have succumbed to the coven's flesh-stripping sacrifice; “That’s another one down. I’m feeling younger already.”

Cleverly complimenting all this nocturnal wickedness are artist Ron Joseph and colorist Theresa Chechi, who together provide the story with a suitably quirky art-style and atmospherically dark palette. Of particular note though is just how well the visuals help sell Jenna’s anger and self-loathing through her physical movements. The girl has clearly given up on herself and resultantly appears to lash out at anyone offering her an alternative from the crime-laden future she’s resigned herself to.

Written by: Jonathan Chance, Illustrated by: Ron Joseph and Colored by: Theresa Chechi

Never By Night: Disturbing Passages Into The Unknown #1 - SnowyWorks [Part Two]

NEVER BY NIGHT: DISTURBING PASSAGES INTO THE UNKNOWN No. 1, 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

Never By Night: Disturbing Passages Into The Unknown #1 - SnowyWorks [Part One]

NEVER BY NIGHT: DISTURBING PASSAGES INTO THE UNKNOWN No. 1, October 2024

Opening up this “newest annual event read” with a twenty-three page trip down into the murky depths of a small town’s dirty, disused garden pond, Jonathan Chance arguably seems able to conjure up the atmosphere of Rob Reiner’s 1985 teenage boy drama movie “Stand by Me” combined with a healthy dose of bone-tingling terror. Indeed, despite many in the audience probably guessing the future fate of poor Arthur Rogers, having earnestly promised the murderous monster he encounters that the lad won’t ever return to tentacled gestalt’s deadly abode in Fairhaven, there’s still plenty of narrative and grisly-goings on to enjoy inside “If I Never Come Back.”

For starters the story’s first half, which depicts three children bravely forgoing an over-packed swimming lido for an ill-advised dip in a fenced off pool, contains everything a fear-fan would want from such a familiar horror setting - including the so-called protagonists being so busy goading one another to dive in that they never truly appreciate why none of the other locals have never thought of visiting the same place. In addition, once one of them finally makes the plunge, the storyline solely focuses upon the youth scrambling for a solution to his dire predicament on his own, courtesy of his supposed friends quickly leaving him to potentially a fate worse than death; “I’m sorry Arthur.”

This bargain with the devil beneath the water's surface is then subsequently explored, as the incredibly lucky survivor risks a fleeting visit to the completely renovated municipality some thirty-two years later so as to settle things with his former pals. As aforementioned, it’s pretty transparent that somehow the now bespectacled father of two is going to somehow inadvertently enter the dread beast’s submerged lair once again, so the writer’s skill comes with him wrong-footing the reader in predicting just how this catastrophic confrontation will occur.

Definitely adding plenty of gratuitous physical mutilation to these published proceedings is Dell Barras, whose pencilling quite wonderfully captures both the wide-eyed innocence of youth in the trio of boys, whilst simultaneously showing a former victim of the skull-faced water creature getting his head squished flat with a multi-suckered appendage. Admittedly, some may struggle to realise that the beast rises to the surface during its early conversation with Arthur, as that sequence isn’t perhaps as clearly sketched as some might like. But there’s no doubting overall that the illustrator does a good job in drawing the hair-raising events as they transpire, and quite unnervingly captures the stark terror on the central character’s face when he realises that he is once again nose-to-nose with the entity that has for so long haunted his thoughts.

Written by: Jonathan Chance, Illustrated by: Dell Barras, and Colored by: Davi Comodo