Written by: Max Brooks
Art by: Raulo Caceres
Color by: Digikore Studios
Published by: Avatar Press
It took three issues but I am finally interested in this book!!
Since issue #1 I have heard that Extinction Parade is a title that asks the question “what would happen to vampires during a zombie apocalypse?” In issue #3 this question is finally beginning to be answered.
Up until now the main story has been about vampires doing vampire things; (hunting for humans with various social rankings) the impending ‘zombie apocalypse’ is never seriously addressed. You as a reader know it’s coming, but the vampires just blow it off completely as another fad in the human world.
This issue however shows them having to come to terms with a situation they haven’t had to deal with in the history of their existence… being responsible for themselves. Shocking I know, cause I totally have to pay my own bills and wash my own laundry, but vampires… they have a caretaker for all of that and his name is Willem. He is from a long line of people who have taken care of the vampires for generations, but Willem is done being their loyal servant who is always there for them. After numerous tries to talk to them about the impending zombie problem he just up and leaves them to save himself and his family. This guy is most certainly NOT Alfred Pennyworth. Not surprisingly, the vampires don’t know how to deal without him. They don’t know what the important documents Willem left behind for them are; (bills, stocks, or checking accounts) but they are determined that they don’t need him (even though they really do).
I see Willem’s leaving as a foreshadowing of bad things to come. In the next couple issues these spoiled vamps are going to have a real problem on their hands when they finally realize their food source is virtually non-existent… and they don’t seem to be into hunting animals for food. (And they sure as hell don’t sparkle) So the future is looking dim, for them anyway.
With Max Brooks at the wheel this definitely doesn’t look good for the vampires. I mean the guy writes zombie books, he clearly has a favorite. The concept has been intriguing to me since the beginning and I’m glad it’s now starting to come together and be a great title. If you jumped off the wagon now is the time to hop back on! (But bring your zombie survival guide… I bet you will need it!)
The artwork is solid, though every once and awhile I wish there was some daylight. Being a vampire story though I don’t see that happening anytime soon. Using a studio instead of a single individual for coloring can sometimes lead to major differences from issue to issue, but you don’t see it in this title. (Yet anyway) The only thing I personally would change in the art of this issue is the newly turned policeman zombie. He’s slobbering all over himself and that to me isn’t very zombie like. Besides that everything is great!
Dear Vampires, your zombie survival plan is going to fail. The main reason for this failure: you don’t see that the zombies are a threat.
3.5 of 5 nerds
Irwin Fletcher
I'm an LA journalist who really lives for his profession. I have also published work as Jane Doe in various mags and newspapers across the globe. I normally write articles that can cause trouble but now I write for FTN because Nerds are never angry, so I feel safe.
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