Publisher: Oni Press
Release Date: July 8, 2015
Price: $19.99
Creator(s): Greg Smith, Michael Tanner (writers), Zach Lehner (artist)
Format: 216 pgs., Partial Color, Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-6201-0144-5
Age Ratings: N/A
ICv2 Ratings: 3 Stars out of 5
This is an interesting attempt at creating a zombie apocalypse story for younger teens, but the adult characters are a serious weakness. With one exception, they are all quite insane.
The basic premise is that a group of Boy Scout-ish kids goes on a camping trip, and when they come back, their home town seems to have been overrun by former residents turned into zombie-like beings. The assistant troop leader is the only voice asking very sensible questions, like why the scout leader is saying and doing weird things even before things go wrong. Sadly, this volume never does provide the answers to the many questions the reader will ask.
Okay, so a zombie apocalypse might happen quickly. Would ALL of the adults go crazy in those few days? It’s not explained by the story itself, which made it hard to believe. Each adult is a different clichéd character from horror or survival movie stories.
The kids are much more interesting, which is what made the story worth reading. Watching them try to work their way out of various scenarios was fun, if not always believable.
The artwork was good, for the apparent intended audience, and the "zombies" are just gross enough to be cool and interesting. This book is the start of a series, and the writers may be able to improve and clarify as it goes on.
--Nick Smith: Library Technician, Community Services, for the Pasadena Public Library in California.
