Oni Press 2017
Written by Kyle Starks
Illustrated by Gabriel “Gabo” Bautista
Lettered by Crank!
In the zombie apocalypse you’d think the worst thing you’re going to come across is a mindless you-eating monstrosity that won’t die, can’t die, but you’d be wrong-as-Hell. We should’ve known the station was going to be trouble: clean windows, swept sidewalks, pruned bushes….? Who’s thinking about yard work during the nightmare hellscape of an existence?
The thing worse than zombies, that’s who. The thing that locked us up. The thing whose shadow hovers over us. I’d rather my brains got ate than be held up by the damned police.
I’m kind of in love with this book I mean it has all the elements that make both The Walking Dead and Z Nation as successful as they’ve been. I’m sure it’s not that easy to be able to blend the seriousness and horror of the end of the world via zombies with some incredibly good well timed, think comedic genius of Lucille Ball or Carol Burnett, humour. While I’ve always enjoyed Kyle’s writing I think here he’s letting himself unleash everything he’s wanted to do and shine like a diamond. He’s really managing to showcase his talent and skills in becoming what we like to think of as one of today’s must read writers.
The introduction of Forrest is fantastic! His characterisation and place in the series may be a bit hard to decipher but he’s been introduced for a reason and it can’t just be for his comedic timing, well it’s unintentional but it’s there and it’s a thing of beauty. He may be the “town drunk” who likes to steal to support his habit and one of the most offkilter of men you’ll ever meet but damn if he isn’t one of the most interesting and fun things to come out in a long while.
Also I have to say that Sparky is a spunky lil fella who I’d be honoured to have at my side during all this. I do like seeing how he was treated by the television people, who saw him as a money make and who saw him as a loving dog, companion and individual. The flashbacks that coincide with the present are well done here and show us exactly what we need to see to have characterisation on an animal that doesn’t talk!
I’ll say again that I want to see more backgrounds in use in these pages. It’s a lost and/or dying artform and ya know what that’s a freakin shame! It does wonders to expand the story visually and give the reader better perspective. With Gabriel’s work it would be a great boon because we see the attention to detail he gave us in this issues guest starring villain as well as his ability to make the zombie apocalypse look like a great all-ages series. He’s able to bring us into the story with his work and it’s fantastic it just doesn’t feel totally complete to me I mean c’mon that moment the zombies were in the holding cells that panel was phenomenal!
I like the way that Kyle is structuring this book. It’s got a nice flow to it and while we get to see some action there’s also a lot of plot development, characterisation and story happening as well. Kyle is setting up this world and how we’re supposed to be seeing it extremely well. Not content to focus on those that have taken shelter together, we’ve already seen that they are not what they appear to be and are as dangerous as anything else in this world. The idea of a small group out to forage instead and possibly find and bring back things they need. This way we get a larger look at the microcosm that is this part of the world.
I enjoy the fact that Oni Press allows it’s creators this freedom to really delve into their stories the way they want to. It’s books like this that show off what they are made of and how good they can be when not dealing with licensed or pre-established characters. Smaller press companies like this one are where we are going to find the really good storytelling these days so make sure you are on the forefront instead of being left behind.