SDCC 26: Taking A Bite Out Of The ‘Zombie Zero’ Hardcover With Writer Christopher Reda

Among the many panels at the recently wrapped San Diego Comic-Con, Critical Entertainment CEO Christopher Reda discussed several new comic books that the company will be releasing in the next few months. Reda also discussed the crowdfunding campaign for a hardcover version of Zombie Zero, a series he wrote about the end of the zombie apocalypse. In the story, the zombie virus has been largely defeated and only one carrier, Alexander Livingston, remains. Microbiologist Victor Brooks is keeping Livingston in his lab in an attempt to cure the disease once and for all. Comicon.com discussed the campaign with Reda as well as his unique take on this now-familiar genre.

Smithyman: There are so many zombie stories out there. What makes Zombie Zero different?

Christopher Reda: I played around with the idea of following the last zombie at the end of a zombie apocalypse while I was hanging out with some of my friends. My friends and I discussed how zombie stories would always focus on the initial outbreak and that there could be another creative take to discover. This idea for Zombie Zero was so attractive to me because it was a complete twist and unique approach to the zombie genre. Instead of humans being chased by zombies, what if it was a zombie being chased by humans?

Not only do we get to experience the end of an apocalypse, but we also get to follow the last zombie, Alexander Livingston, as the main protagonist. With the reader having the opportunity to sympathize with Alexander and see his inner thoughts and feelings, we get a completely unique look at the zombie genre.

Smithyman: It would be a lot easier if Dr. Brooks just killed Alexander and put the whole issue to bed, wouldn’t it? Why is he willing to risk the end of the world – again?

Reda: Dr. Brooks falls victim to his obsession with finding a cure. His excuse for keeping Alexander alive is that the disease might lay dormant, so if he creates a cure now, society will be ready should the disease reappear. He also theorizes that a cure to the zombie disease may unlock the cure for other diseases as well. Ultimately, learning to quell his obsession with performing tests on Alexander is something he must learn throughout the story.

Smithyman: Why was it important to have a hardcover collection of these seven issues?

Reda: It was important for me to have a hardcover collection of these seven issues because of how successful this comic has been for me and how much fans have enjoyed the book. Zombie Zero has always been an easy book for me to sell, especially to fans of the zombie genre. When people hear that the story is about the last zombie at the end of a zombie apocalypse, their eyes light up from hearing a different take on the genre they love.

Fans who read the book would always come back to tell me how much they enjoyed it. In the hardcover collection, I’ve included full-color chapter covers, an extended artist gallery, and script pages so fans can have more behind-the-scenes coverage of the book.

I’ve sold out of the trade paperback version many times now, and I wanted to have a special hardcover edition be available to readers who have appreciated the book in the past and for new readers wanting to jump in. Zombie Zero has also been optioned to be made into a film at Patriot Pictures, which is extremely exciting for me as someone who went to film school. This Zoop campaign will give old and new readers a chance to pick up this hardcover collection in time to read before the film is released.

Smithyman: Talk about the creative process between you and artist Leandro Rizzo.

Reda: I discovered Leandro Rizzo from his work on the comic book Crossed. I was looking for an artist who could do well in the zombie genre, and I thought he had a great style that could work for this book. I’ve found Leandro to be an immensely talented artist who could take direction from me very well. He would allow me to give notes at every stage of the comic process and always did a good job at interpreting my script. His willingness to cater to my vision and be able to go back and forth with me in the progression of the book is what made us a good team on Zombie Zero.

Smithyman: Why did you make the creative choice of having Zombie Zero’s interiors black and white?

Reda: The choice of having Zombie Zero in black and white goes back to my days as a film student. Going black and white has always been a common choice for new filmmakers. It gives a story a gritty and emotional edge that can really pop in a comic book. I was also heavily influenced by Frank Miller’s Sin City when I first started diving into making graphic novels.

Black and white interiors can give an artist a different level of creativity to play with. It also serves the purpose of toning down the blood that is present by nature of a zombie book. Zombie Zero is more of an emotional adventure than a hack-and-slash horror book.

Smithyman: Besides the hardcover itself, what other rewards are you offering backers?

Reda: Critical Entertainment has some exciting rewards to offer backers to this campaign. We will have a special autographed signature plate edition signed by myself. We have a limited-to-one Q&A publishing and film consultation with myself that includes the signature plate edition, the Zombie Zero collectible pin, and the Joan collectible pin. This is great for anyone looking to achieve their publishing and film goals who would like advice from an experienced creator. We will also be offering various stretch goal rewards such as a Zombie Zero sticker, limited edition bookmark, a collectible card, and more!

Smithyman: Zombie stories often portray the surviving humans as worse than the undead. If you were caught up in the zombie apocalypse, would you rather be killed by humans or walkers?

Reda: Normally I’d say I would rather be killed by humans because it could be a quick death and I would avoid being turned into a zombie. After creating Zombie Zero, though, I would have to go with being killed by a walker, knowing that there could be something more extraordinary to experience from being a zombie.

Smithyman: I’m going to take your word on that one! Best of luck with the crowdfunding!