Back in July I reported that 30 Days of Night was coming to the big screen. Well it did and I finally got a chance to check it out. So how does it stack up against other vampire or comic book movies? Well I’m glad you asked.

Being a big fan of the horror genre and comic books, as I’ve stated numerous times before, I went in with some pretty big expectations for this movie. Granted, I haven’t had a chance to read the entire series, but I’ve hit a large part of it. I was even privileged enough to get a brief preview of it back in the days before it came out, which was when I originally fell in love with the story.

The plot behind the movie and comic is that Barrow, Alaska, the northernmost city in the United States, is getting ready for the 30 days that happen every year. Most of the townsfolk leave on the last flight out of Barrow before the airport shuts down, as it does every year during that time. Darkness sets in when vampires show up and begin feeding on the remaining population.

If you’ve never read the series, forget everything thing you think you know about vampires. These aren’t your typical snooty European stereotypes running around in rented formal wear. They don’t seduce you then drink your blood. They crash through your window, drag you out of your home, and eat you. There are a few points when you still get your vampire waxing philosophically, but those come in the form of a quick pointed disdain for the human race or orders to destroy every human in the town so they can’t tell the rest of the world vampires still exist.

These creatures don’t look like your run-of-the-mill vampires either, instead of just two measly little fangs in their mouth these vampires have an entire mouth full of pointed teeth. Claw-like fingernails, distorted facial features, and an ear-piercing shriek also distinguish them from the rest of their movie brethren. Despite some of the major differences, some classic vampire standards are still observed, like the ability to turn others into vampires and exposure to sunlight.

As with most comic book movies there are a few spots where the film deviates from the comic. Things like the fact that the vampires were originally lead by a younger vampire and an elder came in halfway through the series. I can forgive this though because it would have just made things more confusing throwing a new vampire in halfway through the movie. Backstory on the origin of the vampires was also forsaken, which makes sense as this would have taken the viewer out of the perspective of the survivors. All in all, very forgivable deviations in my book.

In conclusion, I would suggest seeing this movie if you’re a fan of the horror genre or the ‘30 Days of Night’ comic book, not so much if you’re a fan of classic hollywood vampires as you’ll be sorely disappointed.

If you liked that, try...

1. 30 Days of Night In October
2. Hero by Night
3. Silent Hill
4. Manga Beat 05: Vampire Knight Vol 1
5. Can you write 50,000 words in 30 days?

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