Xombie Reanimated #1
Review by Guy Copes

Writer: James Farr
Art: Nate Lovett
Letterer: Brian J. Crowley
Cover A: Tim Seeley, John Lowe, Jean-Francois Beaulieu
Cover B: James Farr
Editor: Mike O’Sullivan
Created By: James Farr

Right off the bat, this is the most fun I’ve had reading a comic in a long time. There are parts of this book that are just flat out funny. I’m reminded of the Wachowski’s Frankenstein series, but with way more humor by way of an acid trip gone wild. Things start off at a fast pace and it’s one long entertaining sprint to the end. It’s 2052 AD and the world of Xombie Reanimated is nineteen years removed from the start of the war uniting the armies of men against the hordes of the undead. Quick question: What’s worse than fighting reanimated corpses with a taste for human flesh? If you answered, having soldiers who fought against the hordes rise again to join them against you, then you guessed correctly. So we learn early on that zombies can’t think and thus can’t possibly win. Ironic since the fight has been going on for nineteen years. We also learn that they have no fear, during a classroom lesson cooler than any in my high school. Another lesson occurs outside of the classroom that shows that there is a new threat among the undead legions that goes a long way to disproving some of what is known about the extent of their capabilities.

Zoe and Dirge are very likeable main characters whose interactions are some of the funniest in the book. Zoe has a unique bond with the creature that saved her life years ago. Zoe’s mom comes across as rather cold and distant. This woman certainly wouldn’t win any parent of the decade awards if such a thing still existed in a world overrun by creatures from our worst nightmares. The standout character for me though has to be Soren. It’s not too hard to win me over when you deliver lines like “Sweet Zombie Judas.” Soren is every cliché of the hardened, shoot-first-ask-questions-later soldier made famous in countless stories over the years. Soren works because he isn’t perfect like those characters he’s modeled on. He messes up, acknowledging as much himself, in a particularly hilarious way midway through the book. Luckily for him and the rest of the population our morgue dwelling hero is made of sterner stuff.

It’s not all fun and games, as there is a serious threat to the human settlement that must be dealt with as soon as possible. But there will be laughs along the way.

Xombie Reanimated #1 is action-packed and innovative. It’s a healthy mix of classic zombie movies like Re-Animator, Army of Darkness, and Lucio Fulci’s Zombie. The artwork by Nate Lovett is eye-popping and loose. Characters come to life on the page. His visuals serve as the perfect complement to James Farr’s tightly scripted scenes.

This is a great first issue. I can’t wait for more ionic sense jammer, Mozart-loving morgue joke goodness.

Rating: 10 out of 10 (One of the Best Comics Ever!)

Xombie Reanimated #1
Review by ACBG

The only zombies I have seen are in Horror movies not to mention the Cranberries song Zombie.. This is different compared to the other stuff I read on a regular basis.

Both Covers are great but I have to give Cover B the edge. Cover B matches the style of the art of the book. I just love the colors of the cover. The lines are very smooth. James Farr did a good job on the cover.

I was a little thrown off in the beginning but it came altogether in the end. Its was a little shakey in the beginning but the transition got smooth in the end. From Zoe at school to the meeting of Nephthys. This issue made me wanting more. I do not usually read horror like style/zombie books but I’m glad I did.

The art was fantastic. The paneling was perfect. The lines are so smooth yet playful. I love how Zoe and Nephthys were drawn. Women drawn anatomically correct are a plus for me. Seeing Nephthys made me wanting a figure of her. The colors were lively. Even though one doesn’t expect this kind of book to be colorful but it suited the mood for it.

I want to know what’s going to happen with this book. I usually expect these kind of books to be gorry and graphic to the point where one cringes. I didn’t cringe when reading this and each page made me wanting more. I’m all for recommending books to my cousin who loves reading my comic books whenever he is in town and I’m so getting this for him and for myself.

I hope this helps. Have a good day.

Rating: 9 out of 10 (Excellent!)