Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

The Other Dead #2The Other Dead #2
IDW Comics
Ortega, Digger, Moi, Blond & Eastman

The zombie genre is probably one that has covered everything in comics over the past ten years which might scare you off from yet another one, this one involving animals. However, the second issue continues to push this comic into interesting territory while being grounded with some interesting characters. The book is enhanced with some detailed and intense visuals. The comic is something to check out.

The comic immediately picks up the action from the previous issue. As the brothers are getting attacked outside their house by the fleet of undead birds they head inside the house and trap themselves in the basement. There is a lot of similarity here between Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds and the original Night of the Living Dead. However, the homage paid here serves the story and is done with its own uniqueness that I found sort of endearing.

The book shifts as the brothers join up with their friends as they try to figure out what's going on. The collage of characters is all of the anti-hero variety and the banter among them helps the book along nicely. You might expect the book to slow down but the book's pace is kept at a high level throughout even as these other characters all get injected into the equation.

The book works well as a horror comic book where death is around the corner. There is a lot of running and quick escapes and it works well as good fun coupled with some of the strangeness of the situation.

The book struggles with some elements, such as jamming in the heavy handed slap at the President's dealing with Hurricane Katrina. It serves as a means to show how the current President is racing into the danger in Louisiana but it still is very unrealistic.

Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle ReviewsThe artwork is great fun. The book is bloody and violent and the book looks the part beautifully. Make no mistake this book is not for the timid hearted. The art struggles with some anatomy, especially when the characters are running away but for the most part the book is exciting as any thriller you'll find.

Animals attacking people is cool. Undead animals attacking people is even better. The book has some absurdity to it, such as characters answering the phone as they are about to be pecked to death, but the book is pure and simple fun. If you like your horror and thriller genres then I would give this book a shot. You will probably like what you find here.

3.5 out of 5 Geek Goggles