Let’s face facts: zombies having inundated our culture. In apropos fashion, zombie books, comics, tv shows, and movies have trapped us, and are everywhere we look. There is no escape in sight, so we sigh and strap in for the long haul. Which is why it’s nice when a comic like Chasing the Dead comes along, at least somewhat original in its zombieism.
Chasing the Dead #3 (IDW)
It makes me want to check out the source material by Joe Schreiber. The writing by Mathew Scott and Tim Westland is great. Whether this is from great source material or just skillful adaptation, I’m not sure. The story revolves around Susan Young, a Massachusetts native whose daughter Veda, is kidnapped by a madman. Only, this man knows things he shouldn’t be able to. He can make people come back that shouldn’t. He calls Susan, and tells her if she doesn’t drive to various towns in Massachusetts, and doesn’t do tasks he assigns her, he will kill her daughter.
The art by Dietrich Smith is scary at times. However, I still can’t get over the faces he draws. They really take you out of the moment. I think it’s the mouths which are really the issue, but it could be the eyes. Just look at this:
He gives good gore though, and does the landscapes well. The atmosphere is appropriately haunting, the visuals of the snowstorm setting the mood.
The zombies are done well, as eyeless corpses who speak in the man’s—known as The Harvester—voice. He’s the one who orders Susan around. We have our introduction to the zombies in this, issue #3. Before this, we’ve only had dead bodies, and lobsters. Not even kidding.
Damn gurl, you need some Invisalign.
Final Score: 6.0
- Atmospheric
- Filled with creepy faces
- A little confusing at times
- Creepy faces I suspect weren’t supposed to be creepy
Chasing the Dead is a solid series. By and large the art is creepy, even when it isn’t trying to be (see non-zombie face above). The real reason to dig into this series is for eyeless talking corpses with funked up teeth, the mystery of the plot, and the atmosphere of a stormy winter night in New England. The pacing is quick as a bunny in this issue, and I’d still recommend picking up the first two if you have the extra scratch. They aren’t nearly as fast though. The rating isn’t higher due to a bit of confusion in terms of the plot. Characters are introduced with little to no characterization, so for instance, that woman without the eyes above. House keeper? Secretary for Susan who works in Boston as a business woman? I honestly can’t remember. Bottom line, come for unique zombies, and stay for the mystery.
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