LIFE ZERO #5, from Ablaze Publishing on June 29th, 2022, unveils the truth behind the origins of the zombie outbreak and a startling series of revelations that changes everything.
The Details
- Written By: Stefano Vietti
- Art By: Marco Checchetto
- Colors By: Andres Mossa
- Letters By: Saida Temofonte
- Cover Art By: Marco Checchetto
- Cover Price: $3.99
- Release Date: June 29, 2022
Was It Good?
Whoa, Nellie! LIFE ZERO #5 takes everything you thought you knew about the series and completely flips your expectations upside down. However, expectations are subverted the right way, turning this series into something much more monstrous than originally thought.
The one spoiler we’ll give away is one you’ll figure out in Ablaze’s preview images below – bites don’t create zombies. In fact, bites don’t do anything at all except cause a little nausea. That revelation, in and of itself, may not seem important, but the impact hits like a ton of bricks when you realize the “necessary” deaths committed by Mitchell and his team when they believed bites were spreading a virus.
The highlights of this issue are the plethora of revelations, including the one mentioned above, and Checchetto’s art. This issue is light on action but big on revelations that are just as explosive. The revelations don’t simply clarify what’s going on. They prove each of Mitchell’s assumptions wrong and replace those revelations with truths that are so much worse. In so doing, those revelations turn a tight, hard-hitting zombie story into something uglier and evil with a much more unpredictable destination.
In terms of down points or flaws, there are none to be found. The pacing, dialog, narration, and plot progression are razor sharp. Checchetto’s art is top-notch and a perfect match for the script. The dramatic moments are maximized by the writing and art working together in sync, and the cliffhanger ending leaves the door wide open for anything to happen.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
The issue starts with Mitchell making a hard choice, but find out how he winds up in this tough spot by reading our LIFE ZERO #4 review.
We begin with Mitchell about to commit a mercy kill on Laura after revealing she was bitten. Before Mitchell kills Laura, Col. Drennan deflects the shot and explains that bites don’t transmit the virus. In fact, there isn’t a virus at all. The zombies become infected when exposed to the cloud. Nothing more. Mitchell is stunned when he recalls how many people he killed when it was discovered they were bitten. Even the death of his daughter, Anna, is now proven to be avoidable.
Later, Drennan gives Mitchell a new assignment – find the man who created the cloud in the hopes that he can counteract its effects. Mitchell grudgingly accepts and takes Laura and Derek along for backup. When the team reenters the city, they pick up a signal from Helena. They thought she was dead, but now, Helena gives the team a clue that the effects of the cloud create something more deadly than zombies.
Soon, Mitchell and the team find the creator of the cloud locked in his anonymous lab underneath an ordinary villa. There, Mitchell learns the truth about the cloud, how it works, why it was created, and what’s at stake for the future. We conclude the issue with revulsion, revenge, and a retreat.
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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LIFE ZERO #5 is expert-level storytelling through both the art and the writing. Readers are treated to big revelations that actually subvert expectations the right way. The impact of each reveal hits hard, and the implications of the past and for the future are horrific.
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