Dale Lazarov has returned with his trademark no dialogue style to infuse a collection with sensuality, sexuality, lust, passion, and romance. The three stories depicted all carry a similar theme and one of the best aspects of Lazarov's work is the ability to discover and decide that theme on your own. With the lack of text, these images expand the imagination and allow readers from any culture, background, and language to indulge in the feast of sex, sensuality, and joy that is depicted on the pages. Perhaps what one readers sees will be very different from another and this variety makes the stories change and grow with each viewing.
The collection is beautifully drawn with colorful images that leap off the page and create a stunning tribute to the male form. These men are larger men, hairy, muscular and athletic. The sex they indulge in is vigorous and exciting. They vary position after position for pages, glorying in their passion, and sometimes even wearing out toys and busting out of condoms. These details show not only careful attention but translate the exuberance of the men's passion and enjoyment. Whether these men just met or are in long term relationships, each story is packed with emotion.
The first offering is "Hard Cases" about two musicians that meet at a club and enjoy a night of entertaining and engaging sex. The parallels to a young couple on the subway offer more depth and insight than simply hot sex. The next story "Layover" shows two men stranded in an airport that decide to pass the time in much more delicious ways than working. The details in their sexual encounter are whimsical, hot, and thoroughly entertaining. The final touch is "Closing Time" showing a bouncer and a young man as the stylish younger man shows the old dog some new tricks. A gay bashing scare combines subtle details to deliver a truly absorbing story.
What's most interesting is that the first time I read these stories, I thought they were all depicting men that just met with perhaps hints of a future together. The sex is undeniably hot and the detailed panels show a veritable orgy of sex and hedonism. These one night stands indulge every whim and delight with passion and fervor. Upon a second and third reading, I have a completely different idea of what each story represents. Here I thought perhaps the stories were of long term relationships that give a glimpse of perhaps role playing to spice up their sex lives. In the last story with such an age difference, here the younger man shows the older bouncer what life is like through his eyes and the last panel shows the true contentment and domestication of their relationship. In "Layover" perhaps here are two lovers going on vacation that indulge in a little game pretending to just meet as they await their flight. Perhaps the first story tells of lovers remembering how they met.
The wealth of possibility in these stories allows the reader to decide for themselves who these men are and what the circumstances are. Each night time setting offers a glimpse behind closed doors into the delights of sex and the subtle details will amuse and entertain. The loving and careful depiction of the men's physique shows an appreciation for the male form that easily translates. The great artistry makes this collection well worth the hard back price but the continual change to the stories keeps each offering fresh and unique every time. I can easily recommend picking "Nightlife" up and deciding for yourself.