It's 1950, and Joel Breakstone, former GI and liberator of Auschwitz, is seriously damaged goods. He hasn't exhaled a sober breath in five years-until the sheltered life he's created for himself unravels and he begins the long night that will change his life forever.
Midnight of the Soul #1 is a powerful story from the start. You are placed into the world of a man who after suffering the horrors of war, is now battling the war within himself. The situations you see Joel Breakstone go through aren't all that different than what we are seeing today with veterans returning from combat in the Middle East. The illustration and coloring were both well done, but not overdone. Howard Chaykin does a good job at taking you out of this world, and into the world of Mr. Breakstone. Jesus Aburtov brings life to that world with his coloring talents. If you're looking for strong story, that isn't afraid of real world issues, then Midnight of the Soul #1 is a worthwhile buy. Read Full Review
This series is definitely going to be something good. Chaykin’s work is always a joy to read because it often times requires more than just reading words and looking at pictures; it makes you think about why he placed everything in the positions they are in. Things can only get better from here, so keep reading to follow Joel on his journey of self-discovery! Read Full Review
Midnight of the Soul is a mystery, of course, with the catalyst being the ubiquitous girl in trouble. Yet the mystery of her nocturnal activities and the cause of her trouble is almost second to the mystery of where the parallel threads of Joel's life intersect, from the frequent flashbacks to the War through to his anger over the developments in this issue. It's a puzzle worth pondering, and it will be curious to see how it unfolds as Chaykin continues to level his gaze at a very particular period in American history. Read Full Review
After one issue, Midnight of the Soul follows a well-beaten noir path, which is the beauty of it. At the heart of any good noir story are intriguing, conflicted and damaged characters. It’s easy to relate to Joel’s blunders. It’s easy to pity him and worry about him. Therefore it’s easy to root for him. That’s what a good noir story needs. Read Full Review
Midnight of the Soul has a lot of promise. It's a well-told, if somewhat shopworn, noir tale of violence and masculinity. Hopefully it will hop the tracks and do something unexpected in future issues, but in the meantime it's a creditable entry in the genre. Read Full Review
Overall, MIDNIGHT OF THE SOUL #1 is an interesting, mature take on the life of a post-war soldier. There may be too much exposition of Joel's character, but the story that leads into the next issue is intriguing enough to warrant a read. I do hope MIDNIGHT OF THE SOUL #2 backs off of the references towards Joel's past and current pathetic life, as I can see it becoming very boring very fast. Instead, I would like to see the main focus on Joel's new adventure as he finally leaves the house. I want to see him in action! He now has a problem with his wife that needs to be taken care of, and hopefully that's what we focus on in the next issue. Read Full Review
Lest anyone think that a less complicated Chaykin story means a cleaner one, fear not; there are traces of the usual sordid and smutty elements Chaykin's work is often known for, and it's accompanied with a fair amount of his trademark colorful language. "Midnight of the Soul" #1 is typical Chaykin, but that's not to say it's the same old Chaykin; he manages to incorporate many of his usual touches, but his story remains fresh as he again demonstrates his skills as one of the industry's most unique and long-lasting veterans. Read Full Review
Midnight of the Soul is a decent start to a series. The artwork is decent: it does its job conveying the story but doesn't stand out as an amazing beacon. The story is decent enough and does enough to have me interested in what happens next. But all in all, that's the best I feel I can give. Just a "decent." Read Full Review
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