ENDLESS NIGHT #2 – New Comic Review

Endless Night #2, by Mad Cave Studios on 7/16/25, explodes onto the scene with a frantic car chase through the futuristic Exit City, as Axel Black’s convoluted plan to eliminate Jasper Dean goes spectacularly sideways, leading to widespread chaos and destruction.

Credits:

• Writer: Mark London
• Artist: Tom Derenick
• Colorist: Juancho Velez
• Letterer: Simon Bowland
• Cover Artist: Chris Weston (cover A)
• Publisher: Mad Cave Studios
• Release Date: July 17, 2025
• Comic Rating: Mature (language, gore)
• Cover Price: $4.99
• Page Count: 32
• Format: Single Issue

Covers:

Analysis of ENDLESS NIGHT #2:

First Impressions:

This issue is a relentless sprint from start to finish, albeit a sprint that trades action for plot progression. It’s a chaotic symphony of violence and desperation, pulling no punches as it propels the narrative forward with breakneck speed.

Recap:

In Endless Night #1, Axel Black, a figure from Blackwing Information, was invited to join the mysterious Council of Nine. His initiation hinged on two critical tasks: retrieving a perilous supernatural clock and assassinating the hacker Jasper Dean. Axel’s cunning, if flawed, strategy involved planting the deadly clock in Dean’s hotel room. However, Dean’s unexpected room change derailed the assassination attempt, resulting in the grotesque demise of the hotel’s night manager, consumed by the clock. This incident drew the attention of Exit City detectives Miller and McCormick, while Owen from Wolvenheart arrived, tasked with securing the rogue timepiece. As Velveteen, a key player, facilitated Jasper Dean’s escape, an enraged Axel commanded his subordinate, Bosko, to eliminate all witnesses at the hotel, culminating in a ferocious and widespread firefight.

Plot Analysis:

Endless Night #2 ignites with a violent explosion at the Exit City hotel, the direct result of Axel Black’s failed attempt to use the Injustice Clock against Jasper Dean. Detectives Miller and McCormick are on the scene, bewildered by the supernatural events, as Axel, infuriated by the botched operation, orders his operative, Bosko, to eliminate any remaining witnesses and ensure the clock is secured. Unbeknownst to Bosko, the clock was never in Dean’s possession, as it had already consumed the hotel manager and continued its deadly rampage through the building.

As police flood the hotel, Bosko and his team are forced to retreat, initiating a high-speed chase through Exit City. They correctly deduce that Detectives Miller and McCormick are tracking Jasper Dean, and so Team 2 is assigned to trail the police. Meanwhile, within the detectives’ vehicle, a debate ensues regarding the “unusual events” that brought Owen to Exit City which Miller’s “bionic noticing” ability attributes to supernatural forces, a concept McCormick struggles to accept despite Miller’s personal history of forced experimental brain surgery and implanted false memories. Their immediate objective is to locate Dean, whom they know exited the hotel in a robocab, though his attempt to hack its tracker failed.

The pursuit leads Miller, McCormick, and Owen to a new location where they expect to find Dean, only to be ambushed by a formidable, red-haired operative who leaps onto their vehicle, wielding dual pistols and engaging them in a ferocious gun battle. This new assailant demonstrates incredible agility and combat prowess, deflecting bullets and directly engaging the officers in close quarters. The encounter escalates rapidly, turning into a desperate fight for survival for Miller and McCormick as their car is torn apart by the relentless assault.

The issue ends on a precarious cliffhanger as the red-haired assailant confronts the detectives, now out of their vehicle and facing down their determined attacker. Both Miller and McCormick are armed, but the formidable nature of their opponent leaves their immediate future uncertain, setting the stage for a tense continuation of the conflict

Story

Mark London’s writing in Endless Night #2 is a double-edged sword. On one hand, the pacing is absolutely breakneck, a relentless barrage of action that keeps the pages turning. There’s no wasted panel, no unnecessary exposition; it’s pure forward momentum. This issue is far more focused than the first, streamlining the multiple plot threads into a cohesive, albeit chaotic, chase. However, the narrative still suffers from a lack of genuine emotional depth. Characters are largely defined by their roles in the chase, and while the stakes are high, it’s hard to truly connect with anyone when the story moves at such a blistering pace. The reliance on knowledge from other Mad Cave titles, while less egregious than in #1, still rears its head, potentially leaving new readers scratching their heads about certain character introductions.

Art

Tom Derenick’s art, complemented by Juancho Velez’s colors and Simon Bowland’s lettering, is the engine of this comic. Derenick excels at dynamic action sequences, making every explosion, every bullet, and every high-speed chase feel impactful and visceral. The panels are packed with energy, and the character designs are sharp, even if the expressions are sometimes a little stiff. Velez’s color palette perfectly captures the gritty, neon-soaked atmosphere of Exit City, adding a layer of urban decay and high-tech sheen. Bowland’s lettering is clean and effective, guiding the eye through the intense action without ever feeling cluttered. The art truly carries the weight of the story, making the chaos tangible and exciting.

Characters

The characters in Endless Night #2 are largely defined by their actions within the plot, which is both a strength and a weakness. Axel Black is a compelling, if ruthless, protagonist, driven by an almost fanatical devotion to The Order of Nine. His moments of frustration and anger make him feel genuinely dangerous. Jasper Dean, despite being the target, proves to be more than just a victim, showing quick thinking and a surprising ability to adapt under pressure. Bosko is a terrifyingly effective enforcer, adding a brutal edge to Axel’s operations. However, beyond these primary functions, there isn’t much opportunity for deeper character exploration. Detectives Miller and McCormick remain largely functional, serving as the baffled and outmatched voice of law and order in a world gone mad. The brief appearances of characters from other series, while exciting for existing fans, don’t allow for much individual development in this specific issue.

Positives

This issue’s greatest strength lies in its relentless, explosive action. The car chase sequences are masterfully orchestrated, with a kinetic energy that jumps off the page, making them incredibly exciting and visually engaging. The artwork is consistently strong, effectively conveying the grittiness and high-stakes chaos of Exit City. Furthermore, the comic does an excellent job of escalating the threat of the Injustice Clock, transforming it from a mere plot device into a truly terrifying entity, adding a chilling layer to the already intense narrative. The streamlined focus on the immediate conflict, moving away from the more scattered exposition of the first issue, allows for a more direct and impactful reading experience.

Negatives

While the action is thrilling, it often comes at the expense of character development and emotional resonance. The characters, though visually distinct, remain largely archetypes, with their motivations and internal struggles taking a backseat to the relentless pace. This makes it difficult to invest fully in their fates beyond the immediate danger. Additionally, for new readers, the comic continues to lean heavily on existing Mad Cave lore, dropping in characters and organizations without much introduction, which can be disorienting and exclusionary. The plot, while exciting, sometimes feels like a series of escalating confrontations rather than a deeply woven narrative, sacrificing nuance for raw spectacle.

Art Samples:

Final Thoughts:

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ENDLESS NIGHT #2 is a brutal, high-octane thrill ride that delivers on its promise of action and chaos. While it might leave new readers feeling a bit lost in its interconnected universe and its characters could use a bit more breathing room, the sheer kinetic energy of the storytelling and the impactful artwork make it a undeniably gripping read. It’s a fun, albeit shallow, dive into a world where ancient conspiracies clash with futuristic tech in a blaze of glory.

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