Written By: Gary Reed
Art By: Sami Makkonen
Lettered By: Nate Pride
Editor: Tom Waltz
IDW
Deadworld is a uniquely formed zombie series that dates back to 1987. It’s been published under a number of publishers including Arrow Comics, Image and handled by several talented creators. So, with the current blow up of zombie adoration in our culture via The Walking Dead, it only makes sense to bring the series back. This, of course, is a much bigger risk than most understand; The Walking Dead is the base by which all zombie material, especially in comics, is compared now. You are either on par with, worse than, or the unlikely ‘better than’ said series. Thankfully, what I soon discovered about this series is that it is near impossible to compare the two tales.
Both are of survival and living dead folk, but, Deadworld is based off of a supernatural plague that is controlled and spread via the dead’s collective consciousness of their Zombie King. Alongside this evil-doer are the remnants of post-apocalyptic doctors and curious bastards. These guys are out for nothing more than simple survival. They have taken control of the camp they once called a prison, and are now lead by a fleshy man named Mike who was experimented on with leprosy. They have built complex but, logical systems and weapons in order to protect themselves from intruders, a very simple 3 step plan that guarantees an overall toughness amongst the people in Safe Haven, in regards to killing the undead, and their asses. Such is the life in this very dark age.
Reed did an amazing job character wise in this first, ad free, blood drenched, death ridden issue. Donna, a girl with a zombie 
consciousness, Dan, a man set out to kill the woman he once loved, and Mike are by far some of the most intriguing post-zombie-apocalypse survivors I have encountered in a long while. Admittedly, there are some similarities between them and those in earlier The Walking Dead issues but, he uses this slight common ground to elevate his story and make the characters feel that much more prominent. Many writers use this as a tool and I can see why, it allows the reader to relate to them quicker, whilst also providing a very different story surrounding their development into these people.
The reason I really pick this issue up though was for the art. At first glance I knew I was in for a gong-show and boy, did Makkonen provide! His gritty, and photo-filtered-like styling is breathe taking placed alongside the horrific tale Reed has provided. He accentuates every piece of narration perfectly, in sync with all emotion and danger, allowing for a smooth and overwhelming creepy read.
8.5 zombie killing lepers out of 10. If you like Zombies, which judging by your reading this review I will assume is a fact, you want to pick this up. It’s a surprisingly even more twisted take on the zombie tales we know and love and is currently being pushed out weekly all month until it’s fifth and final issue! I would even go as far as to say, that thus far this month, War of the Dead #1 has been my favourite release.
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