In 1962 Nevada, a nuclear bomb test goes horribly awry and unleashes a contaminate into the atmosphere that turns people rotten. Otis Fallows, a private in the U.S. Army who is present for the test and is the only known survivor, flees the secret army base in search of a safe haven—but does such a place exist? News From the Fallout #1 is an intriguing horror debut that bleeds classic horror films.
Written by Chris Condon, I had no idea as to what I should expect from News From the Fallout #1. I knew it had something to do with a nuclear bomb going off base on the title alone, but beyond that, I went in with very little knowledge. Inside was one of the more intriguing debuts of some time.
Condon and artist Jeffrey Alan Love mine classic horror, not just with the look of the comic but also its deeper themes. At its surface, News From the Fallout #1 falls into the zombie genre with those caught in the blast turned into murderous rampaging monsters looking for their next victims. But, go a bit deeper and its a tale of extremism mixed, an apocalyptic death cult, the dangers of out of control technology, and so much more.
Condon’s tale has so many directions you can go to debate its underlying meaning. Like horror of the past, it can be enjoyed at a surface level but even more so when you examine and debate its greater meaning. A fanatical army officer can be a stand in for so much. The nuclear bomb’s mutation of those around it can be blinding religious fervor or technology run amok. The lone survivor is any of us trying to get by in a world gone mad. This is a comic to enjoy but also ruminate a bit about.
Love’s art is fantastic with a look that feels like a scratchy horror B-movie. The black and white style enhances the retro vibe of the story but also allows you to focus in on the chaos and terror. It adds to the rather chaotic feel of it all. Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou‘s lettering is always on point adding to the overall reading experience and helping set the tone of comic.
News From the Fallout #1 is a hell of a debut that is one horror fans won’t want to miss. It’s far more than a simple nuclear bomb creates monsters story with a clear love for what’s come before and a clear want to say something about the world around us today.
Story: Chris Condon Art: Jeffrey Alan Love
Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou Design: Michael Tivey
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy
Image Comics provided Graphic Police with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle
