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Writer and Art: Faith Erin Hicks
SLG Publishing (Slave Labor Graphics)
Zombies Calling is the first work done by Faith Erin Hicks for SLG, but I only read it after finishing The War at Ellesmere. Zombies Calling is the story of Joss, and college student worried about her future filled with uncertain job prospects and certain oppressively huge student loans. She is an expert in zombie lore and finally has opportunity to put her knowledge to the test when zombies attack the school.
Zombies Calling has a little fun with the typical zombie apocalypse tropes by considering what happens if the rules gleaned from movies are followed. Hickes points out how two of the rules (“Don’t leave the mall” and “The survivors are never rescued”) can’t both be followed since the food and water eventually run out wherever the survivors hole up. The other rules all get a bit of attention, but we see that debt, the future, difficult decisions, and the other problems of real life dwarf that of zombies.
I found Zombies Calling to be enjoyable, but not as good as The War at Ellesmere. Zombies Calling is good in the same way that Reservoir Dogs was good: the initial work hints at the how good the creator’s next work will be even if each isn’t great on its own.
Zombies Calling for purchase at SLG Comics along with a preview
Zombies Calling at Faith Erin Hicks’ site
