“Yesterday’s” Comic> The Night Man #7

Majora’s Werewolf

The Night Man #7

Malibu Comic/Ultraverse (April, 1994)

“Wolf”

WRITER: Steve Englehart

PENCILER: Kyle Holts

INKER: Thomas Florimonte

COLORING: Mickey Rose & Foodhammer!

LETTERER: Dave Lanphear

EDITOR: Roland Mann

Nikolai Apocaloff is a werewolf, which is made obvious pretty early in the story thanks to the title, the cover, and his friend J.D. Hunt spilling the beans pretty early. After one attack he encounters the Night Man beating up a bunch of robbers and decides killing him is what he was born for. Hunt feigns anger since he wants the Night Man but he’s not dumb enough to challenge a werewolf directly. At a party where Johnny’s dad is doing security, Nikolai makes his move. Johnny’s dad is scratched but otherwise okay in the battle and the werewolf manages to get away. Using his pirate radio station, the Night Man tells Nikolai that he’s coming for the werewolf. Meanwhile, a different kind of wolf, Russell Peters, continues pushing to get the amusement park.

What they got right: Even the story admits this is cliché but still has potential to be good. Nikolai is set up as serious threat and monster, who seems more than happy with what he’s doing.

What they got wrong: The 90s are starting to infect the art. J.D. Hunt still has the accent here he doesn’t have with other writers. There’s an epilogue or separate story where someone is listening to the radio broadcast that has him giving away everything but his identity: the enemies he’s fought, how his powers work, and what his weaknesses are. If that’s canon, that’s a huge mistake on his part. Also takes a shot at Rush Limbaugh I think. I also wonder if this amusement park subplot is going anywhere.

What I think overall: Still a good series, though I didn’t enjoy it as much as some previous issues. I blame the art because while not terrible I can see what’s coming. A bit violent for me as well as we see Nikolai’s first victim and know what’s coming for the second one.