Advance Review: Comedy-Horror Odyssey Across America In ‘I Love Apocalyptic Zombie Misfits’

You can forget The Odyssey, because I Love Apocalyptic Zombie Misfits graphic novel is the odyssey you need, but may not have even known it. Instead of a seafaring quest set in Ancient Greece, we get a road trip across the desert landscape of the American hinterlands, which in itself creates an eerie yet strangely familiar backdrop courtesy of partners-in-crime, writer Doug Wagner and artist Daniel Hillyard. It could be modern America, but equally it could be the near-future. With no urban sprawl even hinted at, throughout, this book has the vibe of films like The Hills Have Eyes and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Either way, it’s the perfect setting for this weird and wonderful saga that’s part humour, part horror and a whole lot more references from your favourite monster movies and more. 

But at the heart of it all is a heavily character-driven plot that will have you transfixed from the opening pages as we get to know the zombie misfits of the title, and in particular the Frankenstein monster-like central character, Cecil Hankershank. An intimidating-looking mountain of a man, but with the heart and soul of innocence. So, yeah, very much like Frankenstein’s creation. Not that this aberration was what his creator, the suited and booted Mosi, had planned for. What he wanted was the mind of a serial killer in a body to match. And there in lies the problem, but also the driving force of this graphic novel, as Cecil comes to terms with his new life, new body and new purpose; fitting against the forces of Heaven and Hell. 

Travelling across the States in an RV, along with his creator, the driver, the mummified Tuck, roller skater girl, Yoel and the prophetic young girl Pavla. And all, bar Mosi, reanimated zombie misfits with their own special powers. Move over X-Men, and meet the uncanny Z-Men. 

Oh, and murderous, respawning chickens too. They have them too.

And as they head for Las Vegas, like Odysseus thousands of years before them, they are met with their own monstrous trials and challenges. Helped along the way by various rural folk in on the bigger picture and happy to help out Mosi — a poor man’s Professor X but with better fashion sense — on his mission. There’s the religious and deadly zealots to contend with as well as bigger and bigger threats culminating in the revealing of the Big Bad. A creature of darkness who has been plotting from the shadows from the very start. But adds up to a stupendous showdown and dramatic, blood-soaked, gory blockbuster of a closing act. With each mile they travel, the tension grows and grows, and the darkness deepens. All the while, these threats are met with the innocent naivety of Cecil, which is infectious and, oftentimes, humorous too. Wagner is a master of this careful balancing act of gore and guffaws, having honed this skill over numerous dark comedies dating back to his and Hillyard’s Plastic miniseries. And it’s great to see them reunite again in this long-form story. And even better to once more witness Hillyard raise his game in his depiction of every aspect of this graphic novel.

Hillyard has a style that befits both the hilarious and the horrific, and his design of the characters, both good and evil, and execution of the script is a big part of the enjoyment of this book. He is especially good at capturing the expressions and emotions of all the cast, as they go through every conceivable emotion there is, delivering a modern horror with a smile and a wink. 

This is a road trip that has pace, threatening thrills, energy, humour and heart. And an ensemble of relatable, goofy characters that will be difficult to forget. An interesting, original new take on some very familiar archetypes and iconic monsters. 

I Love Apocalyptic Zombie Misfits is crowdfunding now on Kickstarter here.