iZombie #4 – Review

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

The Story: Gwen gets to know Amon, who explains the existence of monsters, while Horatio fights Claire the vampire.

What’s Good: After three issues of relaxed storytelling, it’s nice to see iZombie really lay down some big ideas.  Readers impatient with the slow pace should be somewhat appeased this month, as the book is given something of a new, or at least unexpected, direction and a great deal of information.

The core of it concerns the existence of monsters in this world and Roberson’s explanation is surprisingly intellectual and yet completely logical.  He brings forth the idea of the soul, but argues that every person has an oversoul and an undersoul.  How this ties into the various monsters who inhabit iZombie is very well put together and it’s great to see Roberson doing some world-building, crafting a kind of mythos that can be drawn upon in future.

The mummy Amon’s back-story is also explored a little bit as he takes Gwen on a tour through his memories, while introducing the above ideas.  I like Amon as a character; he adds a suave, mature voice to the comic that’s a good fit.  He’s a fun character and I look forward to seeing more of him.

Art-wise, this is another solid outing by Mike Allred.  I especially enjoyed his creative paneling, as Amon  inserts himself into his own memories while the page reflects the fact that he and Gwen have gone on mental walkabout.

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.