Review - Fanboys Vs. Zombies #1

Ever heard of the Con Flu? Chances are if you're in the industry at all and you go to a convention there's a good chance you'll come down with something. There's something about differing levels of hygiene in the air that will do that to a person. Most of the time though, you don't become a zombie.

Fanboys Vs. Zombies #1 from BOOM! Studios takes the idea of Con Flu to a whole another level. The first issue is written by Sam Humphries and illustrated by Jerry Gaylord, colored by Nolan Woodard, ink assists by Penelope Gaylord and lettered by Ed Dukeshire.

The first issue plays out as you'd expect at Comic-Con International. Various groups of friends at different points in their relationships are all attending. The first group call themselves the Wrecking Crew and agree to meet again next year, but the flash forward shows only Rob and Burger actually show up. It's all about a girl.

Kyle and his sister Amanda have arrived, as well as Jenna and J-Mac. See, Kyle and Rob are fighting over Jenna, which has splintered the group into the three duos. They're all reunited by the end of the issue, what with the zombies at all.

Zombies are reaching their tipping point as far as popularity goes (if they haven't passed it already). Gaylord has added an interesting twist by capitalizing on the masses (unwashed?) at Comic-Con and having them all turn because of the bad convention food. The Wrecking Crew reuniting isn't really that new in the grand scheme of zombie outbreaks.

If you've never been to a convention (which is probably more people than you think), you just won't get a lot of the jokes. The title is almost too insular for its own good and, while the jokes will be appreciated by those in the know, not everyone will get them.

The art by Gaylord is probably what stands out the most. There's a manga feel to it that sets it apart from other comics and the crowd scenes are actually pretty solid. Woodard used a wide variety of colors, as every page is dripping with all seven layers of the rainbow.

The first in what's to be an ongoing series is fairly tame in all honestly. It's another zombie book where a band of survivors are forced to set aside their differences for survival. The Comic-Con piece is a twist, but most of that really serves as a wink and a nod to those that attend the show.

Business could pick up in the second issue, but as it stands right now you're looking at another zombie book. Only this one has schwag bags.

Fanboys Vs. Zombies #1 is in stores now, with a slew of covers and interiors below.