"Rise #1" Invites Readers to Do a Double Take on a Horror Classic

Comics based on established properties can be a mixed bag. On the one hand, it is always good to see something beloved like an old movie get infused with life through a new medium. On the other hand, comics based on movies don't necessarily have a reputation for having high quality. "Rise #1," based on the zombie classic Night of the Living Dead, is an interesting experiment in alternate universe storytelling and horror comics.

All of Double Take's Comics are based in the Romero zombie universe, with "Rise" being an offshoot of the first film. This initial issue follows the first two characters introduced in the movie, siblings Johnny and Barbara, as they try to survive the first zombie outbreak in history. Anyone familiar with this film (and if you're not, I highly recommend watching it online, as it is in the public domain) knows that Johnny is the first casualty of the movie, and the story "Rise" seems to follow the film very closely at first, even down to some panels that look like they were lifted directly from movie stills. However, this comic does not feel merely tied down by the plot of the film and is able to explore what happens around the events of the story. Instead of following Barbara, readers get to see what a seemingly zombi-fied Johnny was up right before he snatches his sister in the climax of the movie. In addition, a scene with government officials allows some development of the world of the Romero films, as this comic is a part of a larger continuity. In addition, this tale comes with a big twist on the story that completely upends whatever expectations readers have regarding what actually occurred at the conclusion of Night of the Living Dead.

The artwork on display in the comic matches the tone set by the film well. Federica Manfredi's pencils are spot on in portraying scenes from Night of the Living Dead in a way that clearly evokes the movie, but isn't merely a carbon copy of it either. Barbara's depiction, in particular, is given a little more strength than the way she is shown in the film. Also of note is the use of paneling in this comic. The story uses a great deal of moment to moment transitions, allowing for readers to tease out the more suspenseful moments more fully. It certainly does not have a typical action comic's pacing, but it works well for the horror genre. The only real issue with the artwork comes from the lettering, specifically the speech balloons. Every one of them is a similarly sized rectangle, and the blandness of it detracts a bit from the overall effect of the work.      

What really makes this comic interesting is how the story fits and connects with the film. Those who know the story will find it rewarding to see how Michael Coast, Bill Jemas, and Jeff McComsey have found a way to create an entire new thread for the characters of the movie while still honoring the continuity of it. This strength, however, is also the weakness of the comic. I read through this piece before I had actually had a chance to watch the film; and although this piece is still good, I wasn't really struck by the true impact of it until I went back and watched the movie. Either way, "Rise #1" is a breath of fresh air for anyone who is looking for something interesting and fresh from the horror and zombie genre.

"Rise #1" is available to read for free from Double Take's website. It doesn't get better than that.