Nightmare World, Vol. 2: Leave The Light On

Nightmare World #2

by Dirk Manning, Various (Artist)

As Lucifer's plan to kick-start the Armageddon blossoms its wicked fruit, these 13 new tales of terror peer into the lives of those both immediately and distantly affected by his diabolical scheme! Including a ruthless yet unsuspecting TV executive, a conniving rock star wannabe, a desperate abused teenager, a pair of star-crossed Mafioso lovers, and even the world's last ultra-hero who must choose - staying with the love of his life while the world goes to Hell (literally), or go fight the Great Cthulhu in a desperate (and most likely futile) attempt to save the remnants of humanity from being destroyed.

Genres: Comics, Horror, Fantasy, Graphic Novels

128 pages, Paperback

First published October 26, 2010

About the author

Dirk Manning is best known as the writer/creator of comic series such as TALES OF MR. RHEE (Devil’s Due Publishing) and NIGHTMARE WORLD (Image Comics/Shadowline).

Dirk is also the author of the ongoing inspirational column/book collection WRITE OR WRONG: A WRITER'S GUIDE TO CREATING COMICS (Caliber).

More of Dirk’s gripping and exciting stories can be read in comic titles such as Dia de los Muertos and The Legend of Oz: The Wicked West Vol. Four: The Golden Cap (Aspen/Big Dog Ink) among various other anthologies.

Don't let Dirk’s penchant for writing horror comics and his tongue-in-cheek publicity photo with the black hat and scarf fool you, as he’s a very amicable and approachable guy both online and at the numerous convention appearances and book signings he attends every year.

Dirk's signing and convention schedule is regularly updated at www.DirkManning.com and when he's not on the road (or writing) he can be found interacting with readers and friends at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr. Cthulhu is his homeboy.

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars...this is an interesting short story collection. I have not read the first volume or any others...picked it up used kind of randomly. There are 13 stories in here...all illustrated by different artists. Like any collection...my enjoyment of the individual stories varied a lot...and same with the artwork. I will say that I enjoyed most of the artwork more than the stories themselves. My favorite stories were Mommas Boy and Ring of Fire...with How Do You Sleep being up there as well. That said...even with my favorites I'm not sure any of them will be memorable over time.

I'm really interested in the concept of this series though...so I will be keeping an eye out for more volumes.

[The Smoog · Rating 5 out of 5]

The connections are slowly starting to come together in this book. The stories are stand-alone, and are for the most part excellent, as is the artwork (even the ones I wasn’t so fond of never drop below good though). Can’t wait to get into the next book!

[Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow.

Mr. Dirk Manning (and his "friends") have hit another one out of the park with the second volume of this fantastic series.

If you're a fan of the horror genre, comic books, or just... awesomeness in general and you haven't picked this up, you don't know what you're missing and I recommend you do so NOW!

What's cool about "Nightmare World" is that while it remains largely in the horror vein, Manning shows off all sorts of storytelling skills here. We get splashes of the paranormal, social commentary, fantasy, apocalyptic fiction, Victorian literature, western, war story, and good ol' superhero books, all eerily connected to one another and all with that little tinge of scary in them.

More interested in the pretty pictures in yer comic books? Well, never have I seen more diverse styles of art come together. All are so deftly executed, so well done, and all come together to form a fantastic anthology. There's truly something for everyone to marvel at between the covers of this one, no matter what your preference in art stylings.

So, yeah... Much like volume one, I give this one my utmost recommendation. I've been thankful I stumbled across this series ever since I read the first page of it and once you try it, you will be, too.

[Shannon Everyday · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leave the Light On is a perfect continuation of Nightmare World Volume 1. Again, there is a terrific mix of stories, and you see threads tying an stories from both volumes together. Loved the mix of horror, sci fi, fantasy, and superheros in this volumes. In particular, I enjoyed Strays, In My Darkest Hour, No One Knows, Mommy's Boy, While You Sleep I Destroy the World, For Those About to Rock, The Guns of Love Disastrous, and Without You I'm Nothing.

[J.M. Guillemette · Rating 5 out of 5]

The chills and the thrills keep coming in Volume Two of Nightmare World. Dirk Mannng has left his foot on the accelerator and continues to bring the torment. My favorite story in the collection is "While You Sleep, I Destroy Your World" which is a Sherlockian tale with a surprise ending. The artwork continues to be stellar and gives the book that little bit extra spookiness. Be sure to look for the "Easter Eggs" is this issue as well.

[Stewart Tame · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume really starts to tie all the stories together into one massive arc. That said, the stories in this volume don't work as well individually as the the ones in volume 1 did. I appreciate what a massive undertaking it must be to do horror anthologies that work both as individual short stories and as pieces of a massive story arc. All in all though, I just didn't like this volume quite as well as I liked volume 1. We'll see what happens with volume 3 ...

[Dawn-Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volume 2 of Nightmare World continues with the well-developed stories I enjoyed in the first volume. There seemed to be a bit more emphasis on historical pieces in this one, all still related to the overarching theme of the Cthulhu / elder gods mythos. Again, I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys graphic novels and horror.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review on HorrorTalk.com: http://www.horrortalk.com/comic-revie...