Star Spangled War Stories featuring G.I. Zombie: Futures End #1 Review

Written by: Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray
Art by: Scott Hampton
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: September 24, 2014

Zombiacolypse Now!

What an odd thing, having a Futures End issue for a book that is only a couple of issues in.  I know DC did the same with Grayson, but that issue was mainly about Dick and everyone knows Dick, right?  I can't say the same about G.I. Zombie.  I hardly know the undead soldier, but here he is in his own Futures End title and he's brought his partner, Carmen, along for the ride...kind of.  This story is fun, action packed and really has no right to exist.  In the end, however, I'm glad it does.




You guys heard of the zombie outbreak hitting Gotham during Futures End, right? That's okay because neither have I.  Don't worry, it's easy enough to look past things like continuity and logic to get to a story that's a good conspiracy horror thriller.  Palmiotti and Gray play it loose and use the Event to have fun with their unique characters and their even more unique situation.

The basics of this issue will be familiar to even the most casual fans of the genre.  A zombie apocalypse has broken out and a rag tag team tries to develop an antidote while fending off the hordes of the undead.  Throw in a government conspiracy and a partner in need and you're there.  The fact that our hero is undead only makes everything more fun.

Readers of the regular series should enjoy seeing a few surprises from G.I. Zombie that I hope to see again soon and I'm glad that Palmiotti and Gray show us Carmen, even if she is in such dire straights.  Actually, the dire straights are what pushes the story forward. The book ends in a cool way that makes me like G.I. Zombie more than before.

This issue is full of fights, explosions, high flying stunts and zombies.  It may not amount to anything in the future, but while i read it I was smiling.  I can't say that for many books during this Futures End month.

Scott Hampton's art is hit or miss to me.  He does a great job on the set pieces and backgrounds, but I don't like his character work.  It's no surprise since I have the same problem in the regular run.

Bits and Pieces:

While this issue seems to be oddly out of continuity with the rest of the Futures End books, it's fun enough to recommend.  In fact, this issue is a good one for those who want to read a one-shot horror comic without a mask or cape in sight.  The art could have been better, but it doesn't ruin the experience.  Check it out if you are still into this whole zombie craze.

8.0/10