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Nightbreed (Collections) #1

Clive Barker's Nightbreed Vol. 1

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A secret society of monsters and misfits, The Nightbreed have always been with us.

New in canon stories from Midian and the world of NIGHTBREED based on the cult horror film! Explore both the past and the present of this clandestine tribe of creatures, unleashing new secrets and horrors as they fight to coexist with mankind. As Peloquin makes meat of slave owners, he will soon discover his true hatred for naturals. The only ones to trust are those made of the night. In another time, a world away, Shuna Sassi only knows a life of fear. With the death of an important senator, she is cast out from the world of prostitution and forced into the sewers. The voice of the man she has killed haunts her very soul, but will it tempt her to finally give herself the ultimate end? Before FABLES, before ONCE UPON A TIME, Clive Barker created a secret town of monsters that live among us. Don’t worry if you’ve never seen the film—Barker and writer Marc Andreyko (MANHUNTER) have crafted a story that all horror fans can enjoy. Add to the mix Piotr Kowalski’s art (MARVEL KNIGHTS: HULK) and this is a story that can’t be missed. Collects NIGHTBREED #1-#4.

128 pages, Paperback

First published May 13, 2015

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About the author

Marc Andreyko

410 books79 followers
Marc Andreyko is a comic book and screenplay writer, best known for writing the 2000s ongoing series Manhunter for DC Comics.

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5 stars
121 (25%)
4 stars
168 (35%)
3 stars
136 (28%)
2 stars
37 (7%)
1 star
8 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
Profile Image for Dannii Elle.
2,009 reviews1,401 followers
February 23, 2023
This is the first volume in the Nightbreed series.

"A secret society of monsters and misfits, The Nightbreed have always been with us."

This first volume introduced the reader to various 'monsters', their current living conditions, and the tragedies that occurred to bring them to this present moment. I was surprised to find this a bloody read but one less gory than anticipated and more full of heartache and tragedy instead. I didn't expect to bond with the characters so quickly and am already sad that there are only three volumes available in this action-packed yet emotional series.
Profile Image for Gianfranco Mancini.
2,191 reviews742 followers
November 3, 2017


A nice collection of "secret origin" tales of characters from Clive Barker's Cabal/Nightbreed.
Peloquin and Shuna's tales were good ones, just not liked very much the changes in Father Ashbury's background.

Not bad, just as not as good as the novella and the movie which inspired it

Profile Image for John.
1,458 reviews36 followers
November 5, 2015
NIGHTBREED was a terrible 90's movie based on an outstanding Clive Barker novella titled CABAL. (Apparently, a new "director's cut" of NIGHTBREED was recently released, so hopefully the film is now much improved.)
The NIGHTBREED comic is less based on the original story than it is on the movie, which has achieved a sort of cult status among a certain group of people. (I can only speculate on who those people might be, since I've never met ANYONE who enjoyed NIGHTBREED.) Vol. 1, which is comprised of the first four issues, does nothing more than provide background on some of the main characters. There isn't really a plot as such, just a bunch of scenes detailing the persecution these "freaks" were forced to endure before eventually banding together in Midian. It's sort of entertaining, I guess, but definitely not the approach I was hoping for.
Like the X-MEN movies, NIGHTBREED is an allegory about how society punishes people for being different, leading to resentment and animosity between the normals and the not-so-normals. Only, NIGHTBREED isn't nearly as subtle about its message as X-MEN. Writer Marc Andreyko must really have a chip on his shoulder against Christians, because 75% of the persecution in this comic is committed by religious people, who are inevitably portrayed as being racist, bloodthirsty, hypocritical--basically, every negative stereotype you can think of. There's even a homicidal priest that goes around killing "sinners" and women who tempt him with their sexual charms. It's this constant reverse-stereotyping that really brings this comic down and even makes it somewhat offensive.
I doubt that I will continue on with this series. Unless maybe I check out the director's cut of NIGHTBREED and it blows my mind. It's always interesting to peek inside Clive Barker's imagination, but this comic didn't leave me wanting more.
Profile Image for Quentin Wallace.
Author 32 books155 followers
September 16, 2019
This presents some origin tales of the various Nightbreed characters, and I think this ties into the Nightbreed director's cut film which I'd like to see but haven't watched yet.

The first volume is Peloquin and Shuna, and it is very interesting to see how far back their stories go (hundred of years in some cases) and some of the happenings that defined the characters.

Art fits the stories very well.

I think there's more potential to examine these characters in depth, but for now we only have 3 volumes.
Profile Image for Siona St Mark.
2,389 reviews48 followers
August 19, 2016
This was really cool! I've never heard of Nightbreed, but apperently it was a movie that flopped a while ago. After reading this, I really want to go watch it.

If you like stuff like Hellraiser, then I think you'll like this, obviously, but I think it also has a more.... extreme-Hellboy quality to it.
Profile Image for Mirnes Alispahić.
Author 5 books67 followers
November 4, 2022
All things are true. God's an Astronaut. Oz is Over the Rainbow, and Midian is where the monsters live.
Clive Barker's Cabal is one of my favorite reads, even though it's a rough diamond that needed more cutting. This comic book, which includes first four issues, tells the background stories of several characters from Midian, members of Nightbreed. Boone is there also, but only as a character in an frame story seen briefly while being told stories of Nightbreed.

It needed a bit more cohesive story as it feels disjointed. Lets see if will improve.
Profile Image for Derek.
982 reviews71 followers
September 15, 2020
It's no secret, Clive Barker's horrific visions have always awed me. I'm yet to see his work explored in other mediums (photography, art & film) I love these comic book adaptations of his work. I'm guessing the reason they work so well is cos the team making the adaptations don't stray so far from the source material (I hope!) The Books of Blood adaptations are pretty cool. Now comes Nightbreed. I picked this up with no whatsoever about the original film. Anything Clive Barker works for me. And I'm not disappointed. Peloquin and Shuna and that creepy old dude make for exciting characters. I wouldn't go as far as to say I find them relatable (they're monsters!) But I have a little empathy for them. I'm equally curious to find out more about this Midian place. So far so good. I have all three volumes, so I'm strapped in.
Profile Image for Francesca Giardiello.
793 reviews7 followers
August 10, 2020
Un intrigante inizio in cui viene presentato un mondo dove i "mostri" esistono.

Esseri sovrannaturali cacciati, sfruttati, inseguiti e braccati. Sopravvivere? Combattere gli umani? Prevalere?

E Dio in tutto ciò?

Tantissimi quesiti si aprono spingendo a continuare la lettura.
Profile Image for Donna.
1,173 reviews
December 11, 2014
If you’re familiar with CABAL by Clive Barker and the subsequent early 90s movie Nightbreed based on that novella then you’ll know what I’m talking about here. If you’re not then stop, go read the story and/or watch the movie (preferably both) and then come back because you’re missing out.

Releasing at about the same time as the re-release of the movie, NIGHTBREED VOLUME 1 introduces us to new canon in the Nightbreed world. It acts as a prequel back to varying years on the timeline, from 1857 to 1945, and follows Peloquin (my favorite) and Shuna (also a favorite) at what isn’t necessarily the start of their Midian lives but what’s going to build to be integral moments in their lives as the series continues on.

The art, I think, fits with Clive Barker’s world. It’s dark and bloody but filled with detail that lends itself to enhancing the world of these monsters. You don’t really get to see Midian yet in this comic but the monsters bring that world with them wherever they go and the art uses that as a central force throughout the comic. Midian is with them even when they’re not there and it creates a pulse for the story that gets my heart beating in tune with it.

And it’s a good story too. You have Peloquin being Peloquin, shooting first and asking questions later but possibly making a mess for himself further down the road and Shuna who’s on the cusp of having her life thrown into upheaval but especially for her, her in-plot profession lends itself to her character in the movie. It’s been far too long since I’ve seen the movie so I am having a hard time connecting dots that would probably otherwise be obvious if it were fresh in my mind but some things are still there and they’re working out just fine.

I’m anxious to see where Andreyko takes the story. He’s done the canon justice so far so I have faith in future volumes.

4
Profile Image for Darcy Roar.
869 reviews23 followers
August 29, 2016
Alright, full disclsure, I didn't know that Nightbreed was initially a movie. That being said, this book makes little to no sense on it's own. It's just a jumbled history of some weird people smooshed together with a spooky narrator at the front. Having read the synopsis of the movie and the second book in this series, this book makes a little more sense but that doesn't make it good at all. There's just no cohesion here at all.
Profile Image for Jamielee.
9 reviews
December 6, 2015
True to its predecessor.

Wonderful, everything I hoped for and more for the back stories of the citizens of Midian! I cannot wait to read the second volume!!
October 15, 2016
I love night breed

I love the movie and reading the comics are fun. Vol. 1 was great. I am hoping that Vol. 2 is just as good.
Profile Image for Talena.
4 reviews
July 8, 2018
Very disappointing compared to former books

I was excited to see the Night Breed stories in graphic novel form as I have read the original book “Cabal”, seen the movie “Night Breed” (loved it) and own one of the other books detailing the members of Miridian and their backstory.

Unlike the above the stories and charaterization of this novel is lackluster. I found myself unsympathetic toward any of the characters, the violence was repetitive merely swapping charcters, and the way they chopped up the vignettes was very annoying and disruptive.

I wonder if the decision to go back and forth between multiple storylines in short bursts was an effort to camoflague the slipshod treatment of the source material.
Profile Image for Dave Farrance.
171 reviews
January 8, 2023
Yeah this was spot on!

A collection of stories that tell a bit of the backstory for some of the denizens of Midian, told to Boone when he first arrives.
The stories run parallel to modern day as we see the mad police chief from the movie (to date I’ve only seen the movie, not read the book so you’ll have to bear with me) as he is about to attack Midian.

Just as bonkers as the movie was, with lots of strange creatures, bloodshed and horror.

Superb!
Profile Image for John Opalenik.
Author 4 books8 followers
February 27, 2021
If you watched the movie, Nightbreed and wanted more, this book is for you. It's an expansion of the mythology established in Nightbreed and is great fan service for anyone who really enjoyed that world and wanted to spend more time in it. Did this "need" to exist? Probably not, but I'm absolutely thrilled that it does!
Profile Image for k.wing.
672 reviews26 followers
July 7, 2017
Really enjoyed the concept of a "monster" sanctuary sub-city. Enjoyed the stories very much, and guess I'll have to read volume two to see what comes of the woman with the babies that hatched from eggs...
Profile Image for Patrick.
2,118 reviews18 followers
September 10, 2017
As stories from Midian go, these are fairly solid. I can't say that I was blown away by any particular aspect of the craft...writing, art, color...all fine.

If you like the mythology presented in novella or film then it could be worth your time.
Profile Image for Karel-Willem Delrue.
Author 1 book24 followers
July 3, 2018
Laatste comic die ik kocht in de Epic. "Tja, de tijden veranderen", was het laatste dat de uitbater mij zei. Yeah, yeah, yeah, it's a shift in times...
What better way to start the summer holidays than a Clive Barker comic book?
Profile Image for TNae Wilcox.
Author 13 books22 followers
January 9, 2019
Something I’ve been looking for

I’d actually been looking for a good story about a place for monsters. Glad someone mentioned this jewel and read it in one sitting. Can’t wait to go on to 2
Profile Image for Persephonie.
786 reviews18 followers
April 16, 2020
I loved the film as a kid and had high hopes for the graphic novel... IT IS AWESOME. The story of course is creepy, sad, and engrossing with accompanying art that will send a chill down your spine.

I love the in depth back stories we get of the monster’s origins. Wicked cool and a great read.
11 reviews
May 19, 2020
Pretty good if you are a fan

I don't think a reader who wasn't familiar with the film or the original book would get much out of this but, as a fan of both I found it to be interesting
December 16, 2022
A wonderful, welcome journey back into the world of Midian. This volume features several compelling, overlapping stories telling the origins of some of the citizens, those that the human world would call monsters.
31 reviews
February 2, 2023
Based more on the movie than the book, and took some liberties with that material as well. Very disjointed, wouldn't recommend to someone who isn't already somewhat familiar with the novel (Cabal) or the film. Or both.
Profile Image for Jesse.
114 reviews9 followers
August 11, 2017
this is more arrogant, simplistic, and self-pitying than the token Christianity it purports to oppose

the cover art gallery is alright
Profile Image for Anna.
5 reviews
August 17, 2017
Intriguing, dark, well written story.
Can not wait for more!
September 22, 2018
Very Entertaining

Very good illustrations and great story line keeps you on the end of your seat and flipping page after page to see the ending.
Profile Image for Johnny Mattei.
10 reviews
October 26, 2018
Nightbreed!!

I loved the movie always wanted to know the back story to each of the characters and now I know.🔥💀
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews

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