The Zombie Survival Guide Recorded Attacks
 
By Max Brooks
Illustrated by Ibraim Roberson
 
This was not only fun to read but, it was somewhat educational as well.  I can only ASSUME that the cases depicted in this book are true.  I have not done ANY research to either prove or disprove that these cases exist.
 
Still, this book talks about true “zombie” attacks dating all the way back to 60,000 BC, as recent as 1992 and taking place in many areas including Central Africa, Egypt, Japan, Siberia and many other places, even Joshua Tree National Park in California.
 
It tells of cave drawings depicting some fairly graphic images.  The only problem is that IMAGES are subjective.  Apparently these drawings, etchings and other images are “interpreted” to mean zombie attacks.  Whether that was the intention of the artwork or not is something we just can’t know.
 
The interesting thing I found out in this book is that there actually was a virus that came from Solanum that made people turn into zombies.  Solanum is a very large and diverse genus of flowering plants.  Among them is the tomato and the potato.  You can read more about it at http://zombie.wikia.com/wiki/Solanum.  
 
I really liked the artwork in this book too.  I thought it was very skillfully done.  It’s all black and white which, in my opinion, totally goes with the whole “living dead” idea.  
 
I was really shocked about the number of cases and the detail that there was on them.  That’s why I am a little skeptical about this being real.  There’s also a couple of times that it’s even stated that there is no verifiable evidence on the story.  But just the idea of REAL zombies is so entertaining to read about.
 
Some of these stories are really interesting.  I read this whole book in one sitting.  Any fan of zombie horror would like this book.
 
RATINGS
4/5 Stars

Credits:
 
Written: Josh Finney
Artwork: Patrick McEvoy
Editor: Kat Rocha
 
This is the second story I have read about Hank Flynn, P.I.  I liked this one better than the first one, although the first one was good too. You can see the review HERE.
 
I still like that we have Flynn narrating the story to us like the classic 40s detective movies with the voiceovers.  I think it adds quite a special effect to not only the whole essence of the story but, it also really helps put you in that right frame of mind.  The narration also completely helps guide the story.  There are parts where the voiceover cuts into the current conversation and things like that, making for a much more interesting read.
 
The black and white artwork also adds to the whole “noir” kind of feel.  I guess I hadn’t really noticed that particular trait of the artwork in the first one but, it is really apparent in this one.  And it works perfectly.  The stark contrast of the bold black against the white gives a very somber tone to the graphic novel.
 
While the story is a long one, there are great slow reveals, classic private detective humor and sarcasm and plenty of madness and death.
 
This is a tale of love, lust, black magic, death, demons, murder, mobs, dames, and crime investigation, all rolled into one.
 
If you like graphic novels and detective stories, I highly recommend you pick this up.  
 
RATINGS
Overall 4/5
Artwork 3.5/5
Story 4.5/5