Welcome to an all new edition of Parlay Points, the complementary comic book blog to the ODPH podcast. For this edition, a fantastic series on Comixology originals is making its return this week! The All-Nighter #6 by Chip Zdarsky, Jason Loo, Paris Alleyne, and Aditya Bidikar continues the ever-impressing story of a group of individuals who’s super heroics are anything but normal. The first volume is currently out via print on Trade PaperBack from Dark Horse Comics with an Amazon Studios development deal in place as well. Where does the return lead us? Let’s check out the latest issue, shall we?

The All-Nighter #6 - On Sale May 17th Creative: Chip Zdarsky, Jason Loo, Paris Alleyne, and Aditya Bidikar Credit: Comixolgy Originals — The All-Nighter #6 - On Sale May 17th
Creative: Chip Zdarsky, Jason Loo, Paris Alleyne, and Aditya Bidikar
Credit: Comixolgy Originals

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING FOR SERIES AND ISSUE #6 ***

The story centers around a group of supernatural vampires who have stayed in the shadows of “normalcy” by running a diner. Blending in society undetected has been one of the biggest ways of survival for this “family.” Anything else leads to a whole world of problems that they can’t afford to test. However, when one of the younger members, Alex, breaks away searching for something more. This new epiphany comes via inspirations from superheroes. After stopping a crime, Alex follows into the world of becoming a vigilante. The taste of something new attracts Joy, another younger member of the group, to join the crime-fighting ways. This doesn’t sit well with Ian and Cynthia, the oldest of the group, who know what’s at stake. Even with the do-good intentions, things fall apart in epic fashion to where we are now. The first story arc is must-read with some very epic surprises throughout that you need to read to believe.

As the "family” picks up the pieces from the fallout of their last adventure, the landscape has changed. Ian, the head of the family, has been missing. Readers do catch up on where is at and it’s a lot to process coming off the heels of issue #5. Cynthia has taken over running the diner with Alex and Joy taking a more increased role with covering shifts at the diner. Being vigilantes has to take a back seat to keeping up the illusion that everything is fine not to draw any suspicion. However, this lasts for only so long as the young duo gets some time to investigate a disturbance at the museum. What they discover is a complete surprise that unfolds into another decision for one of the family to make. Factor in that our heroes may not be the only ones fighting crime as readers get a last page that will have them talking until next issue.

Zdarsky brings back everyone’s favorite diner staff in a very solid issue. Coming off the big reveal in issue #5, Ian’s story will be the one to watch with this arc. It’s a perfect way to open the issue up. The new antagonist hits the ground running and wait till you see his first move! The back and forth between Alex and Joy gave some new perspective on their new status quo. Being superheroes is one thing but being vampires also throws a block in finding normalcy and how they perceive a way to achieve it. How these heroes handle what’s coming up next is going to be something special.

Loo brings our heroes back in a fantastic way. Bringing Ian’s story and how it ties into the past was an excellent visual. Also seeing the “villain” of this issue return was a fun twist. The strongest part was the emotional talk between Joy and Alex. Loo’s art really brought out the full emotion of what was happening there. It served as a solid reminder that there are lives behind the mask. Seeing how the world of the supernatural comes to life in these pages is really a fun treat for readers.

Overall, The All-Nighter #6 doesn’t miss a beat on its return. From the opening page, this book doesn’t let you go with excellent storytelling and art. Make sure to get your copy asap on Comixology. You don’t want to miss this book!

Hit me up on Twitter and let me know what you thought of The All-Nighter #6. Thanks for reading.

THE ALL-NIGHTER #6 (COMIXOLOGY ORIGINALS)

Ken M