This one has been a long time in the making, just as editor Alan Russo suggests in his introduction. It has been four years between It's a Dark Ride and now, but while devouring Zombie EPICdemic you cannot help but believe it has been well worth the wait. Nine stories and an essay, born and birthed from the bizarre imaginations of some very familiar names. T. Fox Dunham, Mike Lutz, our El Presidente (Dave), and editor Alan, with a clever essay from the late great Terry D. Scheerer tying it all together. Add to this familiarity the talents of S. Sadie Burbank, Brandon Cracraft, Tim J. Finn, Mark Slade, and a historic themed piece from Jay Wilburn (featuring the holy warrior king Charlemagne) and you get the dream (nightmare?) collection that should only be read in the daylight.
But what exactly is this? In someways I have in my hot little hands a homage to the great zombie films of old, stories told by true fans of such a genre. And yet in others it is a snapshot from history of how zombies have plagued humanity for centuries. It is a social examination that looks at racism, cannibalism, the trustworthiness of a restaurant chef, the dangers of drinking, and how tough it is for a girl to keep looking good.
The cover, glossy and grand, depicts the world with the horror of undeath superimposed upon its surface just as "The Return of the Living Dead" (interestingly a film produced by another Russo) has superimposed its imagery upon a quite young Alan. Did such an experience pave the way destiny-style toward him creating the company aptly named Zombie Works? Highly likely… And, in-turn, did such a fitting fate result in the creation of this wonderful anthology? I'd like to suggest such things are most definitely not coincidental.
Within the one hundred and sixteen pages of deep and dark delightfulness we get the whole spectrum of zombie stories. There are stories told from the point of view of zombies, zombie stories told by those who hunt them, and of course those twisted tales which feature the zombie friend, the allies who keep them or feed them to save themselves, even those who love them in a surprisingly understandable way. To my delight there is even a mention of that most familiar restaurant with the golden arched emblem, a beacon of bacon in a world gone mad.
Each of these stories is unique, and yet they all stick like bloodied limbs to the theme at the heart (liver, lungs, and brains of course) of this marvellous book. And then, when one has one's curiosity peaked regarding this strange anomaly, Terry finishes things off perfectly as he dissects what a zombie is and how they could possibly (especially now) become a reality. To be utterly honest with you, the stories engaged me, interested me, and at some stages horrified me, while the essay by Terry caught my attention and then made me laugh.
So, settle in, dim the lights, and grab yourself some "Braaaaaaains!!!" Your favorite zombies are all here, and they cannot wait to eat… I mean meet you.
A most satisfying read. Five bloodied, ripped and torn body parts out of five. A must have for all monster story fans, especially those who love to lurch about.