by Michael J. Foy

Let’s take a trip back to 2004, (insert squiggly lines and bright flash here). Zombies were just starting to come back to the public eye. Dawn of the Dead, which is still widely considered the best zombie film of all time, was being remade. The original film being re-released as a four disc box set, and included in that set was the first issue of a comic book based on the movie. With a cover featuring the famous machete zombie, how could this possibly be a bad thing? Well let’s sink our teeth into it and find out! Oh, and as always, I warn you now, good people of the internet, there will be tons of spoilers!

Released by IDW, the comic follows the plot of the original film and it’s four main characters. Now, you would think creating a comic based on a film that is basically a comic book come to life would be a slam dunk. Instead we’re treated to a lackluster retelling. At no moment reading this issue did I ever feel the same kind of dread or suspense of the film. One of the biggest reasons for this is the lack of the iconic score by Goblin.

Reading through panels, that are for the most part reproductions of shots from the film, they lack any sense of urgency. Both stories open the same way, Fran jolting awake to a world that has engulfed in fear, except on the page, it comes across flat. Although the artwork and coloring look great and the gore is ramped up, that’s not enough to save it.

Now it is certainly possible that some of these changes were made to condense the story for the three issue arc, but if that’s the case, why bother retelling the same story? Why not shake up more of it and incorporate some new ideas? The main story, setting, and dialogue were taken directly from the original film. The intention to stay as faithful as possible was certainly made, but with key portions of the story missing.

One of the first changes that impacted a character arch was one with Fran at the TV station. In the film, she uses a studio mic during a live broadcast to get the attention of her station manager. Fighting for what she thinks is right, to keep closed rescue stations from being broadcast on the air. It shows the strength of the character and only enhances her growth later on in the story. Here, we are treated to a sub par rendition, with Fran confronting her boss in a doorway for one panel.

Another sequence altered involves a young SWAT team member choosing to commit suicide after a struggle with several zombies. He does not get bitten, but still decides that he would rather die than face what the world is becoming. On the screen, it almost feels justified. In the comic book counterpart, it is nothing more than two quick panels with brains on the wall.

Overall it’s a lackluster start to what could have been a really fun comic. There are positive elements here, but dropping sequences like when Peter is attacked by and kills two undead children really is a shame. It’s a horrific moment, but one that demonstrates the guts you’ll need to survive this new world. For now, we’ll just have to wait and see if issue two kicks it up a few notches.

Score: 3 Dead Heads Out of 5