Empire of the Dead #1 - #2 Review

Title:	Empire of the Dead
Contributors:	George A. Romero Alex Maleev
Publisher:	Marvel
Issue #:	1 - 2
Year:	2014
Pages:	64 Pages
Age Rating:	18 (Language, Violence, Gore, Adult Themes)
Story Grade:	C
Art Grade:	B

This series is a continuation of continuity for the "Survival of the Dead" movies from a few years ago and retains the Romero defined zombies; limited memory, limited mobility and basic instincts as their primary motivator. Outside of these story descriptions, this is a standard a Romero affair. A lone group of survivors, etc., etc., etc.

Set in the Empire State, the story begins with the arrival of a doctor who is paired up with the city's top zombie hunter to find a specimen to study to determine whether she can control their behavior, thereby control zombies, like the end of Shaun of the Dead. What could be more profitable than a zombie workforce right? How about a zombie gladiator games? Yup... according to Romero, humans, when faced with the apocalypse, return to our roots and play, bet and garner our entertainment value from a blood sport. Yes it's a zombie blood sport, but a blood sport no less.

As it turns out, Romero seems to be borrowing from other successful genre writers here. Such as the Mayor of NY, very much a nod to Walking Dead's Governor character, as well as a few other references I noticed but won't mention because I am not trying to start a zombie apocalypse with Romero. But it appears that Romero is trying to remain relevant in the genre he started. And while these references aren't direct ripoffs, the similarities are noticed by this reader.

But there is a twist. I don't want to give it away here, but it has some bite to it.

The stunning artwork by Maleev is truly wasted on this story. As a matter of fact, Maleev's artwork truly is the story. After spending years drawing dirty Hell's Kitchen scenes for Daredevil, it would only be fitting for Maleev to pen a New York zombie story. I only wish Romero would have delivered something other than his standard fare. I love Romero, but he needs to be creative and come up with something new. New to him and new to readers.

All in all I grade this book a C+. I won't be buying issue #3 anytime in the near or distant future.

Until next time... Remember if you can't identify a zombie before it bites you then you're already lunch.