iZombie #3 – Review

by Chris Roberson (writer), Michael Allred (art), Laura Allred (colors), and Todd Klein (letters)

The Story: The hunters continue their vampire-chase with Horatio meeting Gwen in the process, someone discovers Scott’s secret, and Gwen meets the mummy.

What’s Good: Without a doubt, the best thing about iZombie, this issue included, is Michael Allred’s art.  It has a wonderful life to it and its pop-art style suits the comic perfectly.  Everything has a delightful air of kookiness and eccentricity that truly gives colour to Roberson’s world.  Indeed, Allred gives the world of iZombie a sort of poppy timelessness.  All of the characters, Gwen in particular, are adorable thanks to Allred and the designs are solid throughout.  I particularly enjoyed Allred’s depiction of Gwen’s powers, where the images are grainy and rendered in black and white.  While the world looks wonderful, Allred’s work on his characters’ faces is also very human and perfectly expressive.

Once again, Roberson’s three main characters continued to grow on me this month.  Scott is the perfect example of the “lovable loser.”  From his condition, to his forced isolation, to his being ribbed by Gwen, the guy is the perfect combination of nice and pitiful; it’s hard not to constantly feel bad for the guy, while also smiling at the inherent comedy of his tribulations.

Gwen, on the other hand, remains as cool as ever and Allred and  Roberson both make a wonderfully awkward “love at first sight” moment between her and Horatio this month.  She’s a solid combination of snark and vulnerability and scenes like this highlight that.  Meanwhile, Ellie continues to be a source of fun in her own right, as Roberson makes her sound humorously out of date.

Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

DS’ Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Secret Avengers #2 – Although it had a few flaws on art and dialogue, the basic premise, the impending danger, and excellent, understated buddy scene between between Hank McCoy and Steve Rogers moved Secret Avengers #2 to the top of my week. I would have been more categorical about it, but I don’t think that Brubaker has yet found Valkyrie’s character, but hopefully that will come.

Most Anticipated: Brightest Day #5 – Although I’m drooling over the prospect of a Tim Drake/Damian Wayne beatdown (Damian’s obviously going to take it on the chin), Brightest Day #5, with its secret cover, is promising to reveal the truth behind the formation of the White Lantern! Sorry, I’ve got to go with the giant reveal!

Other Top Picks: Red Robin #14, JSA All-Stars #8, Batman and Robin #13, Steve Rogers: Super-Soldier #1, X-Force #28, X-Men #1

Alex’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Madame Xanadu #24 -Despite some big releases this week, Madame Xanadu stole this one.  Surprisingly solid artwork and a really anxious story made this a great done-in-one and fantastic start to a new “arc” that I wasn’t initially all that excited for.

Most Anticipated: Scarlet #1 -Bendis and Maleev on a creator-owned project.  That alone is enough to get me pumped.  Factor in what looks to be a cool female protagonist and a dystopian near-future and I’m in.  The first issue isn’t even out yet and already I’m wishing this was a monthly.

Other Picks: Shadowland #1, Avengers: the Children’s Crusade #1, Casanova #1, Batman & Robin #13, Secret Six #23, Scalped #39, iZombie #3, Sweet Tooth #11

Dean’s Top Picks

Best From The Past Week: Death of Dracula #1 – Sometimes it’s nice to have a lighter week in comics where something like Death of Dracula can sneak in and steal the cheese for top comic.  I bought this merely because I thought it would tie in with the new X-Men vs. Vampires story line.  It really doesn’t do that, but it gives an unexpectedly deep and rich overview of vampires (in all their forms) in the Marvel Universe.  I’d actually like to see more of this.

Most Anticipated: Amazing Spider-Man #636 – Out of ALL the big books coming out this week, I think I’m most excited to see what really happened when Spider-Man apparently died at the end of #635.  Having had two weeks to think about it, I’m pretty sure that it was Kaine in the suit.  Still, I read ~60 comics per month and I can’t tell you the last time a comic mystery was on my mind for weeks.

Other Top Picks: X-Men #1, Scarlet #1, Shadowland #1, The Walking Dead #74, Batman & Robin #13

Joe’s Top Picks

Best from the Past Week: Death of Dracula #1 – I had nothing but low expectations, both about this one-shot and the X-Men launch starting this week helmed by writer Victor Girschler.  After reading this well-thought out and beautifully pencilled one-shot, though?  I can’t wait to see where this story goes.  I almost wish this was the first issue of just a vampire-centric tale in the Marvel Universe without all the super-heroes, but I’ll take what I can get.  At least these vamps don’t sparkle.

Most Anticipated: X-Force #28 – Really, is there any other choice?  This is the penultimate chapter in the suberb Second Coming crossover, and it’s the final issue of Kyle’s & Yost’s X-Force series before it’s relaunched with a new creative team.  Throw in Mike Choi on pencils and you know this comic, the best X-Title in years, is going out with a hell of a bang.

Other picks: Irredeemable #15, Batman and Robin #13, Absolute Planetary Volume 1 HC, Brightest Day #5, Red Robin #14,
Secret Six #23, Walking Dead #74, Amazing Spider-man #636, Avengers The Children’s Crusade #1, Shadowland #1, Scarlet #1, Thanos Sourcebook, The Stand Hardcases #2, X-Men #1, X-Women #1