EXODUS Z #1, from Jorge Alvarez on IndieGoGo, imagines the End of the World as the beginning of Paradise, right before things get much worse.
The Details
- Written by: Jorge Alvarez
- Art by: John Epple
- Colors by: Edgar Wolv
- Letters by: Nikki Powers
- Cover art by: John Epple
- Comic Rating: Mature
- Cover price: $6.00
- Release date: October 2023 (estimated)
Is EXODUS Z #1 Good?
EXODUS Z #1 takes readers on a tongue-in-cheek thrill ride as a Zombie Apocalypse brings about the end of the world, but the end is only the beginning when the zombie infection spreads to the Afterlife. Jorge Alvarez’s amusing horror tale is jam-packed with zombie munching, quippy one-liner jokes, and entertaining art from John Epple. The story doesn’t always make sense, but you’ll have a good time.
Alvarez’s script centers on a group of religious worshippers who barricade themselves in a church as the preacher delivers his best (and last) sermon during a zombie attack. When the zombie numbers overwhelm the barricades, the preacher prepares to take his place in Heaven, but not before a last-minute zombie bite turns Paradies into Damnation.
You can forgive a lot about the technical execution of a comic, as long as the creator’s heart is in the right place to deliver an entertaining story. Alvarez’s heart is definitely in the right place, which helps to excuse the collection of minor (and not-so-minor flaws).
What’s great about EXODUS Z #1? Alvarez’s wit and observational humor shine through as he pokes mild fun at church worshippers, Lucha Libre fighters, people who complain about standing in line, and even Dragonball fans. Everyone gets a little mild ribbing, so you feel like you’re in good company.
In terms of writing execution, most of the basics you would expect are present.
What’s not so great about EXODUS Z #1? The writing basics that aren’t present stick out like a sore thumb. Nobody is named, so you don’t know who’s who except by their physical appearance, the scene transitions are rough in spots, and the jokes don’t always land. These are all minor flaws that you can look past if you get into the spirit of the story.
The major flaw that’s harder to look past is the central premise. How can a person infected with a zombie bite make it to Heaven? Alvarez glosses over the main point, which leaves a nagging question that’s hard to shake.
How’s the art? John Epple’s style ranges from good to great. The wider shots with multiple characters list some detail, but you get the gist, and Edgar Wolv’s colors are solid. It would have helped to make out some of the features of the zombies with more color-contrasting highlights, but Wolv’s applications work well enough.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s EXODUS Z #1 About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
We begin with a couple running through the streets of a city in chaos as they’re chased by a pack of flesh-eating zombies. They head to a church as the pastor begins his sermon, hoping to hear a redeeming message before the end of all things.
The preacher delivers the greatest sermon of his life when the zombies break through the barricades and flood the church. In his last moments, the preacher prays to God for deliverance, and the preacher’s prayers are answered with a glowing light from above. In a moment of chaos, the preacher is bitten by a zombie before he ascends.
We conclude the issue with the longest customer service line in the world, a line cutter, and angels cutting their losses.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
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EXODUS Z #1 is a zombie apocalypse tale with a Heavenly twist and a decent comedic “bite” (*heh*). Alvarez’s style and pace underscore a genuine desire to entertain the reader, and the art is solid.
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