‘Little Monsters’ #1 review

A group of vampire children tries to make their way through a world that only they inhabit.

March 9, 2022

Little Monsters #1 tells the bizarre tale of the last kids left on a post-apocalyptic earth. The even stranger part is, they’re vampires. So why are they the only ones left? That’s a journey that Jeff Lemire and Dustin Nguyen begin to explore in one of the most curiosity-driven comics you’ll read this year.

Little Monsters #1 introduces us to this bloodsucking bunch of youngsters as we get to see what a typical day looks like for each of them. For the most part, they’re bored. We witness them do things like jump off of rooftops, explore abandoned buildings, and feast on rats like they’re appetizers. However, the most thought-provoking questions you’ll find yourself asking are who, what, where, and why?

Who left these kids behind? What the hell happened to civilization? Where are they, and why are they waiting around like someone will come back for them? These are all questions I’m sure will be answered in the upcoming issues, but the book does a great job of keeping you engaged in thinking all of these things.

Think Stand By Me, if the kids were all bloodsuckers. You may also find yourself thinking of Stranger Things or The Lost Boys. This first issue is a lot of fun to read, and boasts some pretty solid writing and pacing. So far, most of the characters are interesting, like Lucas, who sits around playing guitar all day, creating songs that eventually he doesn’t remember.

Nguyen brings his unique sharp and witty pencil work to Little Monsters to create jaw-dropping pages with moments like the kids playing capture the flag amongst the wreckage of their surroundings. In addition, Nguyen does an impeccable job with the character designs, giving the children some unique looks that set them apart, like twins Ronnie and Raymond, who bears a striking resemblance to Jim Carrey’s Lloyd Christmas in Dumb and Dumber.

Little Monsters #1 is an intriguing start to a fresh and engaging take on the apocalypse and vampire genres. The kids are charming, and it won’t take long before you start to like them. The story is oozing with potential, so it’s almost a no-brainer to come back for the second issue. There are too many unanswered questions to stop now. Make sure to add Little Monsters #1 to your list on your next trip to your local comic shop.