Spotlight: Nightshade - Party Animals & Blush
From Comicker Press
With two new titles available now from Comicker Press on Comix, I had a look at these two new YA Graphic Novels. They are part of the Nightshade series, first up with Party Animals and then Blush.
Comicker Press to Publish LGBTQ+ YA Horror Comic Anthology Nightshade
Comicker Press LLC – as part of their buzzworthy, genre-defying 2025 release slate – has acquired the rights to publish the NIGHTSHADE series.
NIGHTSHADE, beginning with the first two entries PARTY ANIMALS and BLUSH, will release as bimonthly editions set for digital and print – with digital editions and print pre-order available starting November 2024.
Party Animals mixes the real-world LGBTQ+ empowerment of Heartstopper with the humorous, spooky thrills of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Blush merges the supernatural thrill of Twilight with the authentic feelings of Love, Simon – both created, written, and illustrated by Lorry Jamison.
Spooky season will be a whole lot more fabulous. Comicker Press announces the acquisition and publishing of NIGHTSHADE: An LGBTQ+ YA Horror Comic Anthology series from cartoonist Lorry Jamison. Lorry and Comicker plan to release this limited series anthology beginning with the print pre-order and simultaneous digital release of the first two issues: Party Animals and Blush through Comicker’s website – as well as Amazon, Hoopla, and Comix.one digital releases soon.
The NIGHTSHADE announcement arrives as Comicker Press looks to make a big 2025 push, with a slate of new comic books and graphic novels from emerging comics creators. Since 2015, publisher Comicker has been dedicated to promoting diverse voices and stories, through partnering with and selling creator-owned graphic novels. Comicker’s focus has been helping artists get their work published while allowing them to keep creative control — with a commitment to creator ownership that sets them apart from other publishers. Comicker’s mission is to bring the best of independent comics to the world, and that mission is set to get supercharged in 2025.
PARTY ANIMALS is a ferocious story full of fun and frights, perfect for fans of both Heartstopper and Buffy the Vampire Slayer: What would you do if rabid teenage werewolves crashed the biggest house party you’ve ever been to? And the only person who can save your life is your worst enemy. Did I say worst enemy? I actually meant the secret love of your life. This is only the start to the wildest night of Onyx’s and Reggie’s teenage lives. But how can these two stop a surprise werewolf attack when they can’t even figure out their feelings for each other?
BLUSH is a blossoming love story with a whole lot of bite, perfect for fans of Twilight and Love, Simon: Uh oh, is my new crush the cause of all those missing townsfolk? Sure, he seems really sweet, but he and his dad are hiding something, I know it! When the sun goes down, that's when people start to disappear. And there are reports of someone lurking in the shadows, always near the scene of the crimes...
It's love at first sight for Caleb and Hunter, but a deadly secret is about to wreck their romance. Will their love story be cut short in the face of a shadowy onslaught?
“Working with Peter Steiner and partnering with Comicker Press is a literal dream come true.” says Lorry Jamison. “Adding the Comicker logo on my comics is an honor. It represents the creative inspiration you get from working with Peter, as well as all the doors that open up from Comicker’s connections. I am so excited for readers to read the full Nightshade anthology series as I envisioned it. And get ready for all sorts of weird, delightful merchandise I’ve been designing for each of these spooky stories!”
Lorry Jamison is a non-binary cartoonist, crafting vivid artwork for a variety of outlets, including The Novel Neighbor, Proper Brands, Betty’s Books, and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. They are the writer, illustrator, colorist, and letterer for Nightshade, an LGBTQ+ YA horror anthology comic book series, currently published through Comicker Press. THey most recently illustrated Environmental Health Investigators, a middle-grade educational comic for the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Environmental Sciences department. Their short comics have appeared in the recently published and forthcoming comic anthologies Adorable Assistants: Tails Behind The Art from Arledge Comics, The Setlist from InService Comics, and It’s A Horror Show: The Anthology from Lesser Known Comics (where they drew and colored a short comic written by fellow Comicker creator Danny Baram). Their original prints can also be purchased exclusively through Union Studio. Lorry resides in the suburbs of St. Louis, where they continue creating spooky comics while their adorable cast Sunny refuses to get off of their lap.
Other top Comicker comic book and graphic novel releases include WAKING LIFE, LOST ANGELS, and LUCHA FOREVER. For the latest Comicker Press news, follow them on social media, and visit the official Comicker website at comickerpress.com.
Party Animals
This is a werewolf story if the blurb wasn’t a clue - along with the cover. It starts carefully and rapidly ramps up the pace, with some dashes through the party and battles against the werewolves.
It is highly entertaining and starts off with some good, non-cringy relationship issues—or potential relationship issues. The duo make a good team, and as the horror of the werewolf attack begins, they both have their time to shine.
It is equal parts action and has some humour well-placed throughout the story - it has some excellent moments that made me smile while reading it.
The pace of the story is well done, and has some excellent art - the expressions on the faces of the werewolves is especially well done, and this isn’t an easy thing.
It ends with an excellent point and caught me out at the end!
Get it at Comix:
Blush
This is a well-paced story that combines relationship issues—more than one—with the problems of being a vampire.
I enjoyed how this felt like a story in two parts but cleverly joined as we got to the crux of the relationship issues. With vampires and excellent art, we work our way through the early first dates. With supportive parents on one side and on the other side is a father who is… something else!
It’s a clever twist in the story and adds to the tension of the fledgling relationship, along with some good action towards the end. There is some excellent art with facial expressions and panels looking perfect for what we are reading.
Lorry here, thank you so much for a thoughtful and kind review! Reading what stood out and resonated with you is a real honor, that's the dream with any comic I work on. I'm working on new issues currently, they'll be coming out over the next few months!