REVIEW: 'Dead Kingdom' #2 by Etienne Derepentigny and Jerome Gagnon

 

DEAD KINGDOM #2

Writer/Artist: Etienne Derepentigny

Letterer: Jerome Gagnon 

Publisher: Red 5 Comics

Release Date: November 30, 2022

Cover Price: $3.95

After the shocking discovery and the loss of his fellow soldiers, Kain with the help of another survivor must find the strength to carry on and get back to his love Alice. Let's hope he gets to Field Valley before the undead does. The second issue of a 5-part story arc, Dead Kingdom is a multi-layered saga that will explore a world where sorcery, brotherhood, and love collide with the rising nightmare of the living dead.

Score:

★★★★☆ (4/5)

QUICK REVIEW: In the zombie genre it's hard to not rehash tropes we've seen time and time again. Etienne Derepentigny does the best with this dark ages-set thriller that relies as heavily on character development as it does with bloody undead violence. Sure, there will be similarities with things like 'The Walking Dead' and 'Night of the Living Dead' but there's enough ingenuity and creativity to set 'Dead Kingdom' apart. In issue two, Kain tries to recover from his attack while reassuring survivors in the village that they'll make it out alive. All of this while he looks for his love, Alice. Derepentigny's art is distinctive, detailed, and perfectly conveys emotion and horror as needed. It's a satisfying adventure so far that frankly, leaves the reader wanting more.