Zombies Calling
Written and illustrated by Faith Erin Hicks
SLG Publishing, 2007
By Owen K. Craig
It’s hard to resist a book with a cover that features its heroine brandishing a spork. What’s even more appealing is finding out that what’s inside the book is every bit as fun. Taking a self-aware approach to zombie fiction, Zombies Calling reads like a book written by a true fan of the genre who knows how thoroughly ridiculous zombie movies are, and, more importantly, that that’s what makes them great.
As Joss, the book’s heroine, finds herself in the midst of both University and a zombie outbreak, she uses her extensive knowledge of the “rules” of zombie movies to get herself and her friends through this horror-movie-come-to-life. These “rules” include, “never leave the mall” and “characters in a zombie movie will transform from ordinary folk into shotgun wielding, zombie-ass-kicking ninjas.” No “killing vampires with garlic”-esque solutions to be found here, these zombies are fought with a spork. What makes the book work so well is that Faith Erin Hicks fully understands both zombie movies and University life. Her little nods to such things as the creation of the modern “fast zombie” or a jar Joss has to drop money into every time she bitches about her student loan. She combines those two elements seamlessly with her effortless humour and excellent pacing.
The art is as funny and appealing as the writing; the characters are drawn with so much life and personality that one look at them will tell you most of what you need to know.
Zombies Calling is hilarious, fun, and a blast to read from beginning to end. I had a ton of fun reading this book and can only hope for more work from Hicks. Soon.
