BLEEDING HEARTS #1 (DC COMICS)
What if Zombies ruled the world?
Ten years after humanity feel, that is the current stat quo. They have their own unique form of communication. A culture all its’ own. Everything should be (un) alive and thriving, right?
Mouse-Pokes-Golf-Ball-Through-Hole-In-Head aka Poke is one of these beloved members of society. One day, his undead heart starts beating once more. His world changes forever.
BLEEDING HEARTS #1 by Deniz Camp, Stipan Morian, Matt Hollingsworth, & Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (DC COMICS) sees the reunited “20th Century Men” team head into the world of DC VERTIGO!
Let’s take a deeper dive into a very different zombie story.
BLEEDING HEARTS #1 by Deniz Camp, Stipan Morian, Matt Hollingsworth, & Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou (DC COMICS)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Camp leads readers into a vastly complicated tale. The chapter starts off “normal” enough as far as Zombie tales go. Humans hunted and eaten. There is no shying away from this aspect. Once Poke crashes the story, it takes a more grounded approach. The interaction with Mush levels into the ever-growing mystery. No matter where their travels take them, there’s an understanding of this world. Poke’s inner monologue sells this point.
Readers watch as Poke’s questions become louder than inside his head. The struggle to avoid the human tangibles growing raises a few stakes. Camp keeps a “loveable loser” aura around his lead. The audience can’t help but root for him. This society has its’ fair share of quirky characters. It helps to connect them to readers as Poke’s slowly peeling back layers. The backstory of Mush and Poke only makes what happens in the closing act more significant. Their bond seems very secure. In their latest escapade, that becomes challenged, moreso by the closing page. What is discovered throws Poke’s world into more of a spiral. Overall, a great opening to build from.
Morian & Hollingsworth hit readers with an impressive two page spread of the zombies at work. There is nothing held back on the viciousness on display. Poke’s entrance gets a strong full page image. His mannerisms of uncertainty never run too far. This comes back tenfold in dealing with Mush. Panels show their contrasting personalities while the zombies are running wild. Anyone looking for the vintage themes will find them here along with more surprises.
One human’s flawed escape leads to a very definite conclusion. The full page image shows the horror while making it a normal occurrence. The art team is having fun with all the various residence of this new world. Where else will you see “Legs-Without-Top-Part-But-That-Doesn’t Let-That-Stop-Him” casually breeze by a panel? At the end of the day, it’s all about the bond between Poke and Mush. Their visual recap shows two friends coming together to forge a friendship. The closing act puts Poke’s dilemma in-between the pair. There’s a fair amount of tension looming before the final page. The full image throws a big wrench into things while slamming the door down on a fun beginning.
FINAL GRADE: 9.3
Is it possible to have a heart in the world of Zombies? That is the question Camp and Morian throw at readers in this very fresh look at the classic undead. Strong writing with impeccable imagery equals your new favorite zombie tale. DC Vertigo is back in a monster way! Don’t miss it!
Let me know your thoughts on BLEEDING HEARTS #1 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
