Each Friday, we'll be letting a different DC.com writer share what they'll be reading over the weekend and why you might want to check it out. Here's this week's suggestion for a perfect Weekend Escape!
 

Welcome to the Vertigo Renaissance! As you probably already know, DC’s edgier, darker younger sibling is back in full swing, so to celebrate, let’s spotlight a Vertigo classic: iZombie, by Eisner Award-winning creators Chris Roberson and Michael Allred. Yes, this is the comic series that inspired the CW show by the same name. While very different in execution, both pieces of media are wonderful and have a distinctly fun pop-horror vibe that you’ll devour in one sitting. But since this is Weekend Escape, a column that’s all about the comics, let’s dig in and talk about the first volume of the book series, iZombie: Dead to the World!
 

THE PREMISE:

Gwen Dylan works as a gravedigger at an eco-friendly cemetery in Eugene, Oregon. She isn’t like other gravediggers, though—she’s a zombie. Once a month she has to eat a human brain or she’ll lose her mind. We’re talking full on “Night of the Living Dead” zombie mode. It’s not an ideal situation for Gwen. The brains taste terrible and every time she eats one, she gets the memories and thoughts of that person, which consume her until she eats the next one. In fact, the memories are so overwhelming that Gwen finds herself driven to fulfill these people’s unfinished business. Frequently this involves solving their murder—yes, this is a zombie detective story! In a difference from the TV version, Gwen is joined by a stacked cast of supernatural characters: a ghost from the ’60s, a were-terrier, a group of paintball-playing vampires and a mummy! And then there are the monster hunters that have just rolled into town…
 

LET’S TALK TALENT:

Writer Chris Roberson (Cinderella: From Fabletown with Love) has done a fantastic job of delivering a character-driven story with a binge-worthy plot! The dialogue is witty in a way that will remind you more than a little of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Expect to see references to classic zombie movies such as Night of the Living Dead and newer favorites like Shaun of the Dead. The lore and world-building complements the comedic and dramatic elements of the series flawlessly.

Artist Michael Allred (Batman: Dark Age) had done a phenomenal job visually crafting this world and designing the characters. You’ll see a lot of pop art inspiration and incredible spreads—especially in scenes featuring the mummy. Allred’s bold line-work and unique character designs bring to life a dark, yet colorful world that you’ll find yourself wanting to revisit again and again. (Fortunately, there are three more volumes of iZombie after this one.) Michael Allred’s visuals are made all the more distinctive by Laura Allred’s saturated and bright colors, making the whole thing a living, breathing work of contemporary pop art…which is kind of ironic considering its protagonist is no longer technically living herself.
 

A FEW REASONS TO READ:

• A supernatural mystery perfect for fans of Scooby-Doo. Bloodthirsty paintball blasting vampires, an ancient mummy, monster hunters and a slew of dead bodies piling up? This fast-paced series will keep you on your toes as this ragtag team of monsters sets out to solve some supernatural mysteries! This is a fun, stylized comic with witty dialog that reads a lot like a Scooby-Doo for grown-ups.
   
• Monsters need love and friendship too. If you are a fan of the show Being Human, you’ll especially enjoy the unique dynamic between Gwen the zombie, Scott the were-terrier and Ellie the ghost from the ’60s! Seeing how these friends navigate the world and each other is the heart of this story. Along the way, we get some fun—and often quite funny—slice-of-life moments as we see how these monsters navigate their day-to-day lives while living among humans. And dating? How does that work? Well, you’ll have to read the series and see for yourself!
   
• Fans of the show will have fun comparing and contrasting both versions of iZombie. You’ll discover a lot of Easter eggs and references that the show has made to the comic series. You’ll also see some familiar faces in a different light—Liv Moore, the medical examiner from the show, is a gravedigger named Gwen Dylan in the comic. But trust me, you’re going to love her. And that were-terrier? Didn’t Ravi make himself a were-terrier character in a MMORPG in the show? There’s a lot to love about both pieces of media, and it’s fascinating to see what’s different and what’s similar!
   

WHY IT’S WORTH YOUR TIME:

A zombie, a ghost and a were-terrier walk into a bar… No, that’s not the beginning of a joke, that’s the plot of iZombie! Well, less of a bar, more of a diner. You get the point!  iZombie is a little bit of horror, a little bit of mystery and a little bit of relationship-driven comedy. It’s the perfect blend of genres! You’ll find yourself infatuated with these characters as you follow their journeys of self-discovery as they solve some mysteries. This is what DC Vertigo is all about—darker stories with a lot of heart. So, if this sounds like the sort of thing that would stimulate your brain, go to your local comic shop or open DC UNIVERSE INFINITE and dig in!
 

iZombie Vol. 1: Dead to the World is available in bookstores, comic shops, libraries and digital retailers as a softcover graphic novel. It can also be read in full on DC UNIVERSE INFINITE.

Sami DeMonster writes about superheroes, horror and sci-fi for DC.com and reviews comics every week on social media. Follow her at @samidemonster on Instagram and Substack.

NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in this feature are solely those of Sami DeMonster and do not necessarily reflect those of DC or Warner Bros. Discovery, nor should they be read as confirmation or denial of future DC plans.