Before there was The Walking Dead there was Deadworld. First published in the 1980s, Deadworld is one of indie comics longest running horror series with over 100 issues and graphic novels in released and over 1,000,000 copies sold. While being considered the 'godfather' of all the zombie apocalyptic comics that followed.
The epic finale to the first volume of Deadworld as the last three issues (#24-#26) are collected along with the introduction story of The Dead-Killer in Archives BOOK SIX . In addition, “A Christmas in Louisiana” is included from the pages of “A Caliber Christmas” special edition.
In the main story, the group decides to make a stand at the fort and lure the zombies in for a slaughter so that they can make their escape across the bridge into the desolated Upper Peninsula.
BOOK SIX is part of the Deadworld Archive series that brings all of the original Deadworld saga into print for the first time in 25 years.
"Deadworld was hardcore. The violence was harsh, and writer Gary Reed's vision was dark." - Dana Tillusz, ComicReaders.
"...remarkably literate and starkly imaginative, and is a winner in every scene, in every shot, in every line of dialog." - The Lottery Party.
“If you like zombies, horror, and/or post-apocalyptic stories you should definitely be checking this series out.” – Comicspectrum.
So this volume had a finale of sorts, although it also serves as a new beginning. The book was getting convoluted and I think this was meant as a reboot. The main characters converge and escape the zombies...sort of. We also find out an unborn child could be the savior..or destroyer..of the human race. There is also a new character named Amy who seems to be some sort of demonic force who will end up playing a part in future volumes. Perhaps this character is linked to the unborn child, it wasn't made clear.
I will say the art in the last several issues of the series was very unbalanced and erratic, and it did serve to distract from what was still a strong storyline. Some of the art was barely passable even for a an indy black and white comic, but it is what it is I suppose. Still a good comic even if it does lack polish at times.
"He wonders if it is really true that a man bitten by a zombie will become one. He has taken precautions...just in case. And he wonders...what will tomorrow bring. Then he surrenders again to the silence of the night." A good series overall, but the black and white, 'scruffy', pencilling just made it so difficult sometimes to really see what was going on and distinguish between characters. You can see how this series influenced a lot zombie fiction today. Also, the intros and notes from the authors and artists really paint a cut throat image of the comic industry in the 80's....