Sadly it has been a while since I was treated to a Z-Girl and the 4 Tigers issue and man did I miss it.

After getting past the second page I was reminded of how much I really enjoyed Issue #0. This issue jumps into the start of a 5 issue arc, and art-wise it just nails it on page 1. The character designs are great from panel to panel, and the colors just make my eyes melt with joy. Page to page this issue is GORE-Geous, and then at the end it is followed up with some jaw dropping pin-ups. I always enjoy when someone can take a horror theme and place it into different genres. If you ask me this one borders more of a B.P.R.D. style of action team where they are monsters who fight monsters. The pacing is great in this issue, because it hits you in the face, then backs away to make sure you are okay and then BAM it hits you again. It wants your attention and you better believe it will get it.

After reading this issue I can easily say fans of DC’s Frankenstein series and Dark Horse’s Hellboy lines should be reading this, but I recommend that all horror fans give it a try. It is a great story, that I can not wait to continue reading. Good thing I have issue #2 sitting here waiting for me.

Artwork: 4.0 out of 5 Story: 4.0 out of 5

The art and the story are great. Well worth reading.

Dead Man's Party hits like a train. The shady images go easy on the eyes, pulling you into the action. The story is well thought out with both refreshing ideas and just enough of the cliché that makes the genre awesome. It should be a movie … only the comic was better.

I just love the narrated style of these comics, even though these guys know how to let the images do the talking as well. There's only one point of criticism from me on the second part of Dead Man's Party: A little over 25 pages seems far too few for such fast paced action. It feels like one big cliffhanger for number three. Well, I lied; there's a second point; number three isn't out yet … I sure hope the Maya were wrong about that end-of-the-world thing ...

Kirk Manley is quickly moving up my list of favorite artists with Z-Girl and the 4 Tigers #1. The art is beautiful, and it is very well complimented by the color work. I previously read the #0 issue in black and white . . . it was good, but the coloring really helps Manley's artwork stand out.

The concept is a fun one . . . if you're sick of zombie books but like the general concept, then this book is for you. If you like apocalyptic tales, Z-Girl has the right flavor. If you want to dig into a dense read that has good re-readability, Z-Girl is for you.