REVIEW: 'Dead Kingdom' #5 by Etienne Derepentigny

DEAD KINGDOM #5

Writer: Etienne Derepentigny

Artist: Etienne Derepentigny

Letters: Jerome Gagnon

Publisher: Red 5 Comics

Release Date: February 15, 2023

Cover Price: $3.95

The south of the Kingdom is overtaken by the undead. Kain and his fellow companions are on a mission, to help those who are left behind. Escorting a group of survivors, their skills will be put to the test as they bring them to the Citadel, the last stronghold holding the undead from the rest of the Kingdom. A shocking conclusion also awaits our hero in this final issue of volume 1.

Score:

★★★★☆ (4/5)

QUICK REVIEW: 'Dead Kingdom' has been a pleasure to read for its medieval take on a zombie outbreak and it's been a great showcase for writer and artist Etienne Derepentigny. The scratchy lines and composition of the art are highly effective, especially with the horrific zombie designs. And in the arc finale, the action is remarkably crisp and impactful with great sequencing. The closing message is surprisingly different that what you'd expect from a zombie story. Instead of ending with a cliffhanging calamity or a huge death toll, 'Dead Kingdom' issue five offers a sense of peace and hope.

Many questions remain unanswered but if another arc is released then I'm sure we'll see that happen. Meanwhile, Derepentigny takes his characters through another gauntlet of terror with Kain and his crew. At this point, they've grown into a much better well-oiled fighting team as evidenced by their coordinated efforts with the latest onslaught of the undead. Some time has passed and their promise to lead survivors to the Citadel is holding strong. It's an emotional resolution that pays off in the end with a surprisingly upbeat and hopeful reconciliation.

'Dead Kingdom' wraps up its first arc in style with an exciting battle, character growth, and an emotional reunion. Questions remain but the stage is set for more zombie adventures with a more seasoned group of fighters in a unique setting. Derepentigny deftly handles art and script with a winning mix of terror and pathos.

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