Nachtbloem #1

Set against the muted, atmospheric canals of Venice, this opening chapter of Nachtbloem ("Night Bloom") — subtitled "Gebroken dromen" ("Broken Dreams") — introduces three young people gathered along a stone balustrade, their expressions caught somewhere between conversation and quiet tension. Marco Nizzoli's cover art renders the Venetian backdrop with a moody, painterly restraint that perfectly suits the melancholy weight of the title. Written by Giovanna Furio and Ben Kamphuis, this 2023 Dark Dragon Books release looks like a promising, emotionally grounded series with a distinctly European sensibility.