Conquest of the Planet of the Living Dead - Review

Title:	Conquest of the Planet of the Living Dead
Contributors:	Joseph Wight Fred Perry Kelsey Shannon
Publisher:	Antarctic Press
Issue #:	1
Year:	2012
Pages:	32 Pages
Age Rating:	18 (Language, Violence, Gore, Nudity, Adult Themes)
Story Grade:	A+
Art Grade:	A+

This is book #5 of the Planet of the Living Dead series which includes, Planet, Return to, Battle for the, Escape from the and Conquest of the. To be honest, this book could be book #1 of it's own series, but alas it is book #5 of a five part single issue mini of sorts even though it is clearly labeled book #1. I know... it confused me to, but even with all the confusion this book was a great read.

The premise of the overall story arc goes like this; war has been waged for hundreds of years against the undead. And now humans have finally confirmed the origin of zombies is "this" planet. So now mankind will make one final strike, in an attempt to wipe out the zombie plague once and for all.

Now, don't go thinking that this is just zombie book or a war book like Starship Troopers. There is a lot more to this book than zombies and war, but don't worry, there are plenty of that content as well.

The main study of this book is that as our protagonist wakes up after being asleep for almost 600 years he is assigned a new regiment of troops made of boys that are preparing to invade this planet of the undead. His regiment's sergeant is all of fifteen years old. This just begins to speak to shift of way society shifts to a everyone is born into a role and that is role each person trains for starting at birth. Even women have are born into a role, as breeders, which happens to come across as a little misogynistic at first, but as you begin philosophizing the world of "Conquest" you begin to understand that purpose might actually make sense in the context of that world. But he also learns that mankind has also lost what it has been fighting for; much of its humanity; its ability to connect with itself; its ability to connect with each other.

Joseph Wight touches on some interesting humanity subjects in this book. To be honest I really enjoyed evaluating these subjects both while reading the book and afterwards, while philosophizing the topics with my wife. Needless to say there were some interesting conversations which she ended up on the on the opposite of what I guessed she would have.

That's the true power of a good story, comic based or not; it can start a conversation between people. And this is one of those stories.

The artwork, by Fred Perry and Kelsey Shannon is a lot of fun. Fast-paced, black and white frames of clean, dark and gritty art that grabs you from one panel to the next. They did a tasteful job addressing the more adult topics like the insemination scene, and being an Antarctic Press publication, they didn't need to so. I applaud them for showing restraint, because graphic depiction really wasn't needed to convey the message of the book and would have completely removed the high level of maturity presented throughout the rest of book.

All in all, I grade this book a solid A+. Buy this book, it is a must read. Nothing else needs to be said.


Until next time... Just be glad you don't have to report for insemination.