Robert Kirkman is the new King of the Zombie genre.  I could care less if it angers the hardcore legions who cling to the flag planted by George A Romero over thirty years ago.  In no way does that diminish Romero or his importance any more than the Beatles to Elvis or Lady Gaga to Madonna.  I am simply stating that the crown and scepter have been passed.

I’ve been accused of having a “man-crush” on Kirkman.  Don’t care.  From the moment I cracked open The Walking Dead, I felt I was seeing something special.  It was a feeling that hasn’t been replicated since that chilly September afternoon in 1979 when I walked into Tanasbourne Mall and took my aisle seat for a double feature (back when theaters showed two movies together).  The headliner was actually Beyond the Door, followed by Dawn of the Dead.

For those of you who wait for the comic book run to finish and get compiled into a single volume graphic novel (like me), I will be reviewing all of the Kirkman series.  That said, let’s start with Volume One: Days Gone Bye.

The story begins very reminiscent of 28 Days Later.  Our central protagonist, Rick Grimes, is a policeman shot in the line of duty.  He wakes up in the hospital to a world quite different from before.  After finding his wife and son gone, he heads to Atlanta thinking that they might’ve gone to the city on government advice and that is where his wife’s family live.

Things only get worse for Rick as he discovers that the zombie problem is far beyond epidemic stage.  Shortly after reaching Atlanta, he meets up with a band of survivors camped outside of town.  It just so happens that his partner, wife, and son are in this group.

The rest of the story serves as a well-crafted introduction to the cast of characters.  There are some distinct personalities in the group and some nicely placed underlying tension.  Enough cannot be said about Charlie Adlard, and Cliff Rathburn’s artwork.  He renders an assortment of facial expressions that truly help to convey a range of emotions from smoldering jealousy to snarky disapproval.  You really get a vibe from the group as well as the individuals.

Episode 1 leaves the reader in shock.  The conclusion is so startling and, when you take the time to ponder it, viscerally upsetting.  By the last page, it is clear that you, the reader, are witnessing something special.  Day’s Gone Bye is a wonderful gateway in a world that Robert Kirkman has masterfully crafted.  He does not earn the title King from one entry, but since this is a series of reviews, I will act as spoiler only in saying that by the time I reach episode 5, I’d made up my mind.  All hail the new King of Zombie horror.

Zombie Wilson Diaries review

It’s a Sunday morning; I’ve got the sun peeking over the mountains, a cup of coffee and a little Maroon 5 to start me up.  Last night after a band jam session, I finished Timothy W Long’s The Zombie Wilson Diaries.  So, let’s get to a little disclosure.  I’d heard about this book for a while on the Library of the Living Dead’s forum.  I had zero interest in the story.  I pre-judged and decided that I wouldn’t like it.  Over the weeks, I built up a very unreasonable disdain for it.  Then the honcho at BuyZombie.com said he wanted it reviewed.  Please don’t pick me, I chanted.  “Todd, review this.”  Dammit!

The highest praise I believe a writer can garner is when he or she can convert somebody who begrudgingly reads their book…and enjoys it.  That is the case with me and Mr. Long’s book, The Zombie Wilson Diaries. Folks, this is a run read.  It is charming and entertaining and funny.  If, like me, you can be a bit of a snob…get over yourself for a day and pick up this amusing twist in the genre.

Friends, trust me, I wanted to hat this story before I’d read the first page.  Mr. Long thwarted me at every turn.  I could not stop reading.  I laughed, and those who read my reviews know how much I value a writer who can elicit actual LOLing.

Our protagonist is stranded on a deserted island.  He encounters one of the fellow members of his ill-fated flight.  Only, she has eaten a native plant, and now…well, yes, she’s a zombie.  Kudos to Mister Long for not going too far with the protagonist-zombie relationship.  It would’ve ruined a spectacularly enjoyable story.  The relationship we are allowed to watch blossom never goes too far from reasonable.  That is the simple beauty of this story.

I don’t fib to those of you who read my reviews.  I don’t do fluff pieces.  I tell you straight up if you should part with your hard-earned dough to indulge in a little zombie time.  I can say very confidently, as it pertains to The Zombie Wilson Diaries, the answer is yes.

Now, true to form, I must point out a few problems.  That is how we learn as writers.  I felt that the forward pre-announcing spelling errors was more hurtful.  It made me lay in wait for them (and they do in fact exist).  We are champions of small press (here at BuyZombie.com as well as my own May December Publications), glitches are part of our charm as long as they are not abundant.  And to credit Mr. Long, they aren’t abundant, but they are there.  Also, how did you score Ms. Frater as the writer to your forward?  Next to Amelia Beamer, she’s my favorite scribe in the Z-genre…but I digress.

I happily recommend The Zombie Wilson Diaries.  It is fast paced, fun, and even provides a few well-constructed gross-out moments.  If you’ve convinced yourself you would hate it, like I had, then I challenge you to pick it up.  Mr. Long will win you over with easy wit, a bit of charm, and a darn good story.

For decades I’ve been a fan of many things that the British have been so kind to grave us uncouth colonists with: Monty Python, Red Dwarf, Ideal, Doctor Who, IT Crowd, and could I even consider not mentioning the genius of Simon Pegg and Shaun of the Dead?  Unfortunately, I can’t add Morgue of the Dead by Lee Taylor to my list.  Whether it is a literary language barrier or what have you, I struggled with this title.

I feel absolutely awful writing this review because no matter how thick-skinned a person may be, a bad review stings.  It is just very awkwardly written and phrased.  Overall, that made it difficult to try and enjoy the story.  Multiple times I had to re-read a sentence, and on occasion an entire paragraph to try and ferret out the meaning.

I’m not going to spend a lot of time here tearing somebody down.  I don’t believe it is appropriate.  For those who feel I am out of line, I will quote just a small sample of text:

“The alarm from the bank signaled pleasure, but also nerves for Norman, as he knew the job was done.  He saw the frantic men heading towards him.  They moved at speed, turning their heads to stare at the recent escape route.  He honked the car horn, rushing them more.”

Certainly I am not the Great and Powerful Oz of the literary world; however I cannot recommend this book.  It would be a disservice to those of you who have come to trust and value my opinion when it comes to a good read.

As a parent and now a reviewer of books for BuyZombie.com, I have a better understanding of the phrase, “This will hurt me more than it does you.”

Amelia Beamer just made the list of writers that I would like to sit down to dinner with and listen as she tells me what prompted her to write her story.  For those not in touch with the tragically hip, Ms. Beamer is an editor and book reviewer for Locus magazine and the author of The Loving Dead available through Nigh Shade Books.  And, of course, all the usual sources like Amazon.  I mention Night Shade specifically because they are a small name that you might not be familiar with (like Amelia Beamer) but should.  They have some serious quality going on.

The Loving Dead is a modern, engaging, sexy romp into a NWZ (New World Zombie) alt-reality where zombieism is transmitted by…wait for it…sexual contact (including kissing as well as more intimate and “conventional” methods.)  Of course the usual biting and rending of flesh is equally effective in the turn.

This story is one of the best “Patient Zero” – damn close to it – tales since Night of the Living Dead.  Before you get your panties in a bunch, I’m not saying Ms. Beamer has unseated Romero.  What I am saying is that this story really takes the reader into the impossible psyche of a public going about its business when the impossible happens.  Countless times, our  central characters – Kate and Michael – are looking to the media for confirmation that this is real and they aren’t crazy.

All of society is – surprisingly – not waiting for the zombie apocalypse.  The Loving Dead does a wonderful job of showing us just how silly we sound when we cry “zombie!” the way the story unfolds is so real, and so modern.  For the first time, somebody has written a story that is tech savvy and relevant.

I urge even the staunchest traditionalist (of which I tend to lean towards) to pick up this book.  I am finding that there is still quite a bit new under the sun, I hope this is only the beginning for Ms. Beamer.  I would read anything that she offers up next based on how much pleasure I gleaned from this debut offering whether it is another zombie tale (i.e. post-loving world) or something possibly dark and scary.

I don’t make this a habit (in fact I feel remiss for not having done so with Robert Kirkman) but I want to thank Amelia Beamer for a wonderful adventure.

The The Good Bad and the Ugly…aka stuff about Critics

Critic.  Did I make you cringe just a little bit?  Some of you have a Clockwork Orange style aversion to that word.  Then, others see that same word and become giddy with excitement.   What is sadly lacking here is a shade of neutral ambiguity.  Lately, in the zombie genre at least, that seems to be a problem.  Zombie fiction writers seem to be splitting into factions faster than a new cast on Survivor.  I say this with a tinge of tough love…we need to get over ourselves.

There is a saying, “those who can’t do, teach” we can add, “those who can’t write, critique” and “opinions are like…” well, you get my point.  Right? How about adding, “I’m rubber you’re glue…” and “that which does not kill me makes me stronger”.

This column is for writers, wanna-be writers, and soon-to-be published writers.  Whatever.  If you write, I am talking to you.  People, it’s time to toughen up a bit.  I think all of this political correctness in society has turned us into a bunch of woosies.  We live in a society where everyone gets a trophy just for participating.  Everybody makes the team or mommy files a law-suite against the coach.  Enough already.  We are zombie fiction writers, people.  I’ll bet each and every one of us has been an outcast at some point in our lives.  We’re made of stronger stuff.  (Can I get an “Amen”!?)

That’s write, I’m about to get up on the soapbox.  Some of you delicate flowers are gonna get their feelings hurt.  Funny thing is I’m not talking to just one person.  I am talking to the group.  I love our little niche in the literary world.  (Notice the looseness in which I employ the term ‘literary’) and want us to grow strong.

It seems that I can’t browse a forum these days without watching some new drama unfold.  And what is it usually based on? Somebody wrote a negative review (heaven forbid!). Let the school yard mudslinging begin. Hell, half the time the mud slingers aren’t even the offended party, they’re simple fringe members in a forum designed to promote zombie fiction.  Enough is enough.

I read everybody.  Permuted, Library of the Living Dead Press, LDP, Pill Hill, Coscom, and a host of others.  I got news for you…I have read some absolute swill from each.  However…I have read some absolute gems as well.  Guess what?  Neither of those opinions mean a thing.  Wanna know why? (Okay! Who said, “because you’re a know nothing dumbass!”  Really, how rude) I’ll tell you why.  Because it’s an OPINION!  I believe we have already covered the whole thing about them. (Opinions)   being like a certain part of the body that everyone possesses which exhibits an olfactory experience.

I’ve been sitting back for a while. I’ve watched what goes on and have stayed out of it.  However, with two full length pieces out there, my first anthology dropping in October, I am fully exposed to critiques.  There will be those who think I am a total hack.  OUCH!! Yet not fatal.  To those who review me and slice me up like they are demonstrating Ginsu knives, you are entitled to hate me. You may freely use words like: “sucks” “tripe” “garbage” and “awful”. I won’t sit here and tell you that it doesn’t sting.  No matter, there will still be those that love me.  And honestly, those are the people that I write for.  What’s more, my wife, children, and dogs, will still love me.  At the end of each day…that is what matters.  Fellow writers of zombies, let’s take a moment and make a pact.  Raise your left hand.  (We’re zombie writers, we do things different.  Besides, raising the right hand is so cliché).

I, state your name, (if you said “state your name”, go stand in the corner for five minutes) promise to write with the understanding that not everybody will think that the sun rises and sets on my butt.  I will understand once a story leaves my hands, that it is out of my control.

I will not engage in petty word wars with critiques.  That only takes away time from my writing.  Above all, I will remember the saying, “you can’t please everybody”.  In the name of Romero, I make this pledge.  Amen.

Wait, we aint done yet folks.  We have talked about the negative.  Now, let me speak on the positive.  Just like the ones that cut your legs out from underneath you, you shouldn’t let the good ones go too far to your head.  Or, to quote Han Solo, “Great, kid, don’t get cocky”.

I’m not saying that you shouldn’t enjoy the compliments; just don’t let it all go to your head.  Take a moment and think this through.  How many times have you read a review, heard tons of hype, then finally broke down and saw the movie, read the book, or bought the record? (Kids, records are large round things that your parents use to buy to listen to music from shortly after the dinosaurs died) now, how often did it live up to the hype?  That’s my point…too much praise can sour things far more than a negative review.

I read all the reviews out there on my stuff.  And I can tell if somebody has actually read it, or if they are simply writing a fluff piece.  Honestly, I would prefer nothing, or a bad review, over a fluff piece.  At least that way I know that they have read it.

Again, remember that you are writing for a target audience.  Given time (and talent) you will build a fan base (see Rhiannon Frater for example) she’s won over a fan base.  Yet, there are those that don’t like her.  I call those people mindless heathens, but I fall into the fan category) Once again, use your melon.  How many of you have certain writers that you wait on anxiously for their new release?  Oh, so I’m the only one?  C’mon people…show of hands.  That’s better.  I’m not shy; I’ll tell you my list:  Scott Sigler, Jasper Fforde, Rhiannon Frater, Kim Paffenroth, Brian Keene, Kim Harrison, and my newest edition, Mark Henry.  I am what you call “Brand Loyal”.  There is also a list of people that I would never read again if you held me over a pit of hungry zombies consisting of my three ex-wives.  Want to know who they are?  (The writers I don’t like, not my ex-wives, dummy) Too bad.  It doesn’t serve a purpose, and quite frankly, it is mean-spirited.  I’ll admit to petty, but not to mean.

Summer is traditionally a time known for reading.  Seriously, even The Wall Street Journal puts out a “Hot Summer Reading List”.  Here is my challenge to you.  Make yourself a ‘must read’ list for the summer.  Pick three zombie titles and make sure one is an anthology.  Read each one.  Then, post an honest review on Amazon, your blog, forum, or any combination thereof. Be honest.  You can be honest without being mean or nasty.  If you didn’t like the story say why instead of just saying “It Sucked!” Even if you liked the story, maybe there was something that didn’t jive.  Recently, I had somebody read Dead: The Ugly Beginning. They liked it…mostly.  Only, they weren’t crazy about how I sectioned it into three parts.  First person, vignettes, and “geeks” in a steady rotating format.  Personally, that was my favorite aspect of the book.  Yet, this particular reader…not so much.  Will I change anything in the planned sequels?  Nope.  Maybe that person will like Zomblog instead.  Or maybe that person will never be a fan. And that’s okay.

Let’s take a step back as writers.  Cease and desist.  We can’t get our undies in a bunch every time somebody says they didn’t like our work.  If we start slinging arrows back at critiques, we look immature and unprofessional.  This sort of behavior will ensure that we continue to be a fringe genre.  Mark my word, the Zombies star is on the rise.  Instead of focusing on the bad, go out and search for the good.  Then, for crying out loud, tell people about it! If you read something that is truly awful, then let me remind you of one last, tired saying: “If you can’t say something nice…” Last but not least, if you get a bad review, and you undoubtedly will someday, treat yourself to an afternoon or evening with a close friend, significant other, or your dog.  I’ll bet you’ll forget all about that review.

Dead Practice by Shells Walter

Dead Practice by Shells Walter has solved a problem.  Many of us lovers of The Zombie have children.  I can’t speak for everybody, but I often struggle with how much of the world I vanish into so frequently is shareable with my children.  There are dozens of books on my bookshelf that are off limits.  Hell, I write stuff I don’t want my sixteen-year-old reading.  Dead Practice is a good book for parents of the up-and-coming zombie fan.

Let me say that I have no idea if the intended audience of Ms Walter’s book is children, but I do believe that is where it should be marketed.  Adults will find the story tame and simplistic.  The main characters are somewhat cartoonish…and it works.

Dead Practice is set in a world where zombies are basically domesticated.  In short, they are citizens with rights…and at least some semblance of their former selves.  They talk, ride motorcycles, and work as lawyers.  They also have problems keeping themselves together which I believe Ms Walters uses to a wonder effect.

The story has a villain determined to bring back the ‘old-school zombie’.  All he needed to do is twirl his mustache one time and it would’ve been perfect.  However, I must repeat that us ‘big kids’ may not be completely amused,  as for your twelve-year-old, you can hand him or her this book and not worry.  I believe I counted one expletive.  The ‘S-word”.  Used once.  Folks, let’s be honest, your kid has heard it…if not from you, then at school.  Reading it once would not be the end of the world.

The ‘violence’ (the quotes are intentional) is very non-descriptive.  You get phrases such as “blood and body parts went flying”.  Again, there is nothing here to be alarmed at by anybody other than the uber-strict.  And quite frankly, I doubt those types are reading this review or trying to find a way to share their love of zombies with their kids while trying to find a good balance of acceptability .

I recommend Dead Practice for the future fans of Romero.  It’s a bit of a cartoon.  I think, “If Disney was looking to break into the zombie genre.” Ages 10-14 will find this to be a good place to cut their teeth.

Zombies: A Hunters Guide by Joseph A McCullough

I’m often asked in interviews about how I would act/survive the zombie apocalypse if it should chance to occur.  Fans of the genre all have their individual plans and ideas.  Stories abound and the zombie bookshelf is filling with all types.  Now, let’s say that it has all kicked off and we need somebody to provide a documentary about the undead menace.  After reading Zombies: A Hunters Guide by Joseph A. McCullough, I believe we have our man.

Zombies: A Hunters Guide speaks with such conviction and authority that I defy you to read it and not scour the internet to check the “facts” McCullough presents.  This book assumes our nightmares have come true, perhaps not on the global scale that we’re used to, but rather in fits and starts throughout history.  This is a conspiracy theorist’s dream.  Zombies are real and have been occurring in a variety of forms since ancient times.  If you doubt this, then simply investigate the research laid out before you in this clever tome.

Tips of the hat are found in subtle and clever ways in what can best be described as a written documentary of the zombie menace.  Everything from Romero to Barry Sadler’s Casca are somehow tied into a very real and convincingly written piece.  I heartily recommend this book to the dedicated zombie fan, and is there any other kind?

While the price may cause some to balk ($17.95 for seventy-five pages of content), I will say that some of the art—including a magnificent cover—make this book worthy.  Also, it reads much heftier than its page content.  There is a plethora of information here.  Also, so much of what you will find is likely to have you Binging and Googling your little brains out.

As a self-professed lover of almost all things British, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that this offering comes across the pond from Dark Osprey Publishing.  This entry alone will have me watching for further releases by not only Joseph A McCullough, but from Dark Osprey as well.  Additionally, if Mariusz Kozik is the artist responsible for the cover and the full-page artwork…I’ll be adding signed prints of his work to my birthday and Christmas wish lists.  Zombies: A Hunters Guide is exactly what it claims to be, “…a must for anyone on the frontlines of the zombie wars.”



Tooth and Nail By Craig DiLouie

28 Days Later was one of those moves that really helped push the zombie back to the forefront.  Only…zombie purists will tell you, “It’s not a zombie movie.”  In many ways, Tooth and Nail by Craig DiLouie is much the same.  In fact, this book could be seen as the Americanized version.  And I mean this in a good way.

While Lieutenant Todd Bowman is named on the back jacket, there are a number of characters in this fast-paced tale.  Some might complain about the number of characters—a criticism I never quite understood—but each one is three-dimensional.  What I mean is that each is given enough depth for you to care about their fate.  DiLouie doesn’t simply fill his story with cannon fodder and mow them down.  He brings you into the heads and lets you look through their eyes.

There is a lot of military jargon here, but he doesn’t overwhelm the reader.  There is a real feeling of authenticity here.  At times, you can get sucked in and feel the emotions swirling as the soldiers talk during the lulls in the action.  DiLouie uses dialog to a supreme effect in this regard.

The military and medical aspects of this story all felt plausible and real.  It was a rich addition without making you feel like you were reading a medical journal.  It was how the “Lyssa” virus worked that really gave this story its 28 Days Later feel.  And for the most part instead of the regular citizens, there was a different level of tension than what you find in many stories of this genre.  Gone are the obligatory headshots and the sometimes awkward ways in which the protagonists must “discover” how to bring down the monsters.  But rest assured, there will be astronomical body counts by the time you reach the last page.

As always, there are a few critiques to go with the praise.  I wasn’t fond of the tense in which DiLouie told the story.  At times it jumbled the scene.  And, of course, you will find a typo or two.  However, Tooth and Nail is a clean read for a small press.

I very strongly recommend Tooth and Nail by Craig DiLouie.  It is fast-paced and rich with characters that are brought to life in your mind as the story draws you deeper and deeper into the chaos.  This story will pluck you from your comfy chair and have you pacing the room as you get to the last dozen pages where the climax becomes all too real.

Happy Hour of the Damned

Mark Henry is a cross-dresser. He is Mary Janice Davidson gone butch.  My argument is basic and my evidence is simple: no man knows that much about shoes, fashion, and make-up. For those of you gasping and clicking your tongue at me, well…you’ve never been to one of his book signings, never read Ms. Davidson’s entertaining Betsy books, and you’ve certainly not delved into Mr. Henry’s Amanda Feral series.  Happy Hour of the Damned is book one in what is, at least so far, a trilogy. This is where you are introduced to Amanda Feral, advertising genius…and zombie.  What? Yeah, that’s a good question, especially those of you who know me.  I am a so-called purist when it comes to zombies.  I don’t even acknowledge the myriad of Return of the Living Dead films, because ZOMBIES DON’T TALK. Seriously, the whole “Brains!” thing annoys me to no end. Yet here I am singing the praises of Mark Henry’s Amanda Feral in Happy Hour of the Damned.

Quite simply put…this book is a riot.  Seldom do I actually laugh out loud when reading (that’s LOL to you texting fiends).  To quote Adriane Monk, “I am LOLing out loud.”  This is true on several occasions in Happy Hour of the Damned. I’ve become a huge fan and can only hope that Ms. Feral becomes a franchise before I finish the third book (sitting on my shelf begging for attention like the naughty book it is, too).

I don’t believe in giving away story elements.  If you are reading this review and you are trying to decide if you are to plunk down your hard earned duckets for this book, the answer is simple.  YES!  You will fall in love with Amanda; even if you are a self-professed zombie snob like me.

This is NOT standard zombie fare.  First, Amanda is very sentient, and beyond snarky.  She and her friends, also members of the undead (one zombie, one gay vampire) are doing a little Scooby-style sleuthing. So, there is a mystery here.  That’s right folks; this is a fashion-conscious zombie solving a mystery against the backdrop of the Seattle undead scene.

So, suspend your biases for a while.  Rest assured that Amanda maintains a visceral diet and indulges those urges appropriately.  I am certain that she would enjoy it if you would let her guide you through her world like a star struck puppy.  Pay special attention to the ingenious use of footnotes which were reminiscent of Ferris Bueller’s occasional third-wall breaking narratives.  You will not be disappointed.

Road Trip of the Living Dead

Somewhere in Mark Henry’s basement, a poor wannabe celebutante sits chained to a desk with a stripped down computer as the only source of illumination.  That is simply the only way to explain how superbly he slips into a female skin as Amanda Feral with such convincing style.  Mr. Henry should expect Clarisse Starling to knock on his door any day now, but until that time, the poor wife in his basement must continue to put the lotion on its skin, or it gets the hose again.

Road Trip of the Living Dead is the second book in the still underappreciated Amanda Feral series.  Once again, Amanda and her friends are solving another Scooby Doo-for-grown-ups mystery.  I truly waited for the villain to say, “And I would have gotten away with it too, if it weren’t for you meddling kids.”

It is seldom that you can read an account of a lycanthrope engaging in necrophilia and actually laugh. If you have not yet crossed that item off of your bucket list, then I urge you to go out and purchase Road Trip of the Living Dead. (save yourself a trip and grab all three titles currently comprising the Amanda Feral series–see previous review of Happy Hour of the Damned, and stay tuned for the forthcoming review of Battle of the Network Zombies) from start to finish, Mark Henry keeps the reader entertained.  Be warned: if you read this book in public, you will garner looks from passers-by.  Why?  Because you will laugh out loud, sometimes at very inappropriate things that would offend those with more delicate sensibilities.  You will want to share some of these particular moments with friends, who, having not read the book, will back away from you with a look of concern.  I’m fairly certain that simply by purchasing any of these books, you name will be entered in some law enforcement watch-list.

Road Trip of the Living Dead introduces a few new supporting cast members that are as riveting as the original core trio of Amanda, Wendy, and Gill.  Included in this group is a Korean ghost/hood ornament/former zombie and his teenaged, gun-toting little sister.  Their adventures are no ordinary mystery any more than those faced by Buffy and her minions…simply viewed from the other (and by other I mean” the beasties”) side.

Mark Henry has earned his spot on the shelf beside Harris, Hamilton, and Harrison.  Maybe it’s something in surnames starting with ‘H’.  Whatever the case, peek in on Amanda and her friends…if she’ll allow you too.  Road Trip of the Living Dead is a journey you will absolutely enjoy.