Dead Day #1 Review

Writer: Ryan Parrott

Artist: Evgeniy Bornyakov

Rating: 7 of 8

Dead Day #1

One of the worst things in life is losing someone you love. What any of us wouldn't give to get them back, even just for one day... In Dead Day, one day a year is all anyone gets, though it's not only loved ones that come back.

In issue 1, the town of Pewter Falls is 'celebrating' it's 4th Dead Day, though there are some mixed opinions on it. One boy's mother hates the day, saying it's against God, while a former soldier just can't let himself rest easy because of the uncertainty of just who might show up outside his home.

Parrott does well in showing a range of different reactions to the dead rising, which I appreciate, as though a lot of us would happily welcome loved ones coming back, not all of the dead are going to be friendly. The police are well aware of this, with a dozen of them armed and ready for more hostile zombies, with a horde of those gathered outside the police's metal fence.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the art, especially in one scene. In 4 panels, Bornyakov does a great job in creating a spooky mood, going from an empty road, to a deserted street, to a graveyard, with the moon as it's only light. In the 4th panel, we see a number of the dead leaving the graveyard, jet black, with glowing, yellow eyes. I'm glad he didn't add too much detail, as the image works a lot better because of it's simplicity.

Overall, this is a superb debut and I'd happily read more. We never find out what's causing the dead to rise, though perhaps it's better left unknown, as the focus is more on the different ways people react to it. I happily recommend it. I doubt you'll be disappointed.