Comic Book Review: NIGHT of the LIVING DEAD: BARBARA'S ZOMBIE CHRONICLES #1-3

Eager to get into the NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD franchise is this unofficial sequel to the film from Dead Dog Comics NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD: BARBARA'S ZOMBIE CHRONICLES which follows the character of Barbara (from the 1990 remake film where she survives) suffering from nightmares of that first encounter as she tries to survive in a world where the zombies number humans 1000 to one. This is a world in which she is but one of a group of humans who have created a sanctuary and a place they call home until the zombies start to exhibit signs of intelligence. Back from a routine mission into a neighboring town for food and supplies Barbara and her small group of "scavengers" behold an unholy sight. The zombies have banded together and used themselves to get into their compound and home. All those that weren't killed or eaten committed suicide rather than become part of the undead.

The only survivor of the massacre is a small child who was bitten and will soon turn. With little time remaining Barbara and her crew set out for a lab in which may hold the cure for the zombie plague but their journey is fraught with horror and mayhem as they try to survive a world in which the dead return to the living.

This series is very interesting in that it presents a broken and haunted character in Barbara who is just trying to find a reason to go on living when so many of her friends and family keep dying around her. It also sets out to explain how the zombie plague started and alludes to events described in the original Georgia A. Romero 1968 NOTLD film. With only three issues the series is fast and fun and gives insight to the zombie plague and how the zombies are evolving.

The series was written & penciled by Mark Kidwell, with inks by MOjo, and colors by Twelve Twenty One. The book is a beautifully crafted addition to the NOTLD universe and one worth getting for the collection (even if it has no affiliation with the two original creators Romero and John Russo).