Our October Comic Club pick was Volume One of Tim Seeley and Mike Norton’s Revival. It’s the story of a small town in Wisconsin. In many ways it’s like every other small town out there. Except for one little thing – the dead have started coming back to life. And when you first hear that you think “zombies” but this time it’s different (really! I promise!)For the most part these dead retain their memory and personalities. Someone of them are no different than the living. But others are a bit off and those are the ones Officer Dana Cypress is enlisted to investigate.
The cover calls it a “rural noir” which is a pretty good term as it’s pretty vague and easily brings to mind similar tales.
@womenoncomics I find is has a surprising amount in common with Rachel Rising. Small town horror
— A M B (@Lostinfandom) October 7, 2014
Much of our discussion focused on the “rural” part of “rural noir.” Mainly what is it about stories set in small towns that appeals to us? Some theories:
@womenoncomics Instant community, easy to see class definitions/ethnographies.
— A M B (@Lostinfandom) October 7, 2014
@womenoncomics I can definitely relate to things like the mistrust/paranoia of things conservative small town folk don’t understand
— Elaine Will (@ElaineMWill) October 7, 2014
Revival touches on so many topics beyond its setting and people coming back to life. It looks at Dana Cypress’s relationship with her sister (Em) and father, her boss. It also looks at her life as a single, working mother. There’s also a significant religious angle.
@womenoncomics yeah. it’s a comic on people coming back to life in a country that is super religious. you have to have that as a focus! — arDonut (@ArdoOmer) October 7, 2014
Combine all those elements with some gorgeous Jenny Frison covers and Mike Norton’s expressive interior art and we definitely picked a winner for October.
Next Month’s Selection
We had so much fun talking about the revived we decided to continue the trend. November’s Comic Club read will be The Dead #1-3 by James Maddow and Jen Hickman.
When Sam opens his eyes after dying, he expects to see clouds or hellfire. What he’s faced with instead is “The House” — a surreal and often-dangerous afterlife of interconnected rooms. As Sam travels deeper into this new world, he finds the strange creators of these rooms aren’t the only residents of The House. Here there be monsters, and if he isn’t careful, Sam’s stay will take a horrible turn. Brought to comic life by two of the industry’s newest and brightest creators, the first issue of THE DEAD is a great introduction to a story that’s already received praise from critics and professionals alike.
The first three issues of The Dead are available online from Comixology and Kindle.
I’ve got to read this! And actually, I think I’ve already read your November pick, so for once, I’ll be able to participate.
Love Revival but this panel creeps me out every time I see it.