Review: PESTILENCE TP VOL 01

In the year 1347, the black plague ravaged all of Europe. It was all caused by fleas from infected rats we“re told. In Volume 1 of Pestilence (Aftershock Comics), a collection of the first six issues of the monthly comic, we are presented with an alternate theory of what really happened. Was this actually not a plague at all, but something more sinister, covered up by the church to remain in control?

The story revolves around the soldiers of Fiat Lux, the assassins for the church, as they return from an assignment. While returning, they encounter a messenger who gives them not only a new assignment, but is also infected as what they come to call Eaters, or what we all would call zombies. This zombie plagueÂ spreads quickly and they receive orders to retrieve the Pope and get him to Paris, which is thought to be a safe place. As they fight their way through hoards of the undead, they slowly begin to learn the truth of what has happened, and are tasked with finding a way to stop this unholy ordeal.

Writer Frank Tieri gives us a historic tale that seems like it could be right out of a classic X-Files episode. The depth of the conspiracy we are presented with in this graphic novel is something that is entertaining for sure, but also believable enough to be something you could hear discussed on late night talk radio. Conspiracy theories aside, if you like horror comics, this is a book you“ll want to pick up.

On a comic book, creative team, the letterer is often someone who is not mentioned in reviews, but to not rave about the work of Marshall Dillon in this series would be a crime. Through each of the six collected issues in this graphic novel, as part of the story, Roderick Helms is writing a letter to his wife Jaqueline, trying to explain why he has not returned from this mission. Each panel of the letter to her is penned in a beautiful old English style that simply top-notch. I would have felt remiss if I did not mention the exquisite work that was put into lettering this book. Artist Oleg Okunev and colorist Rob Schwager round out the team who brought us this ancient tale of death and collusion, and they did a masterful job as a team bringing this olden world to life and expanding on the character of the story.

With horror comics quickly becoming “my thing”“ I“m really glad I read this book. It works as a piece of historical fiction”¦with zombies and conspiracies from an overreaching church, hell-bent of holding onto its power at all cost. It would be easy to draw some very loose parallels to our present day political climate; those in power doing whatever they can to tighten their grip on the public, and the masses following along like zombies who are unable to break the cycle of death. Maybe I“m overthinking it a little bit, but that“s easy to do. This is one hell of a horror comic that you need to read today. Check it out.

[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]

(W) Frank Tieri (A) Oleg Okunev (CA) Tim Bradstreet

Author Profile

Bryan Spaulding

In his free time, other than reading comic books, Bryan enjoys listening to his ever growing record collection and driving his 27 year old roadster named Mingo.