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Revival #1
Revival, Vol. 1: You're Among Friends
For one day in rural central Wisconsin, the dead came back to life. Now it's up to Officer Dana Cypress to deal with the media scrutiny, religious zealots, and government quarantine that has come with them. In a town where the living have to learn to deal with those who are supposed to be dead, Officer Cypress must solve a brutal murder, and everyone, alive or undead, is a suspect. The sell-out hit series created by NYT Bestselling author TIM SEELEY and Eisner winning artist MIKE NORTON is collected with bonus material!
Collects REVIVAL 1-5 and the FREE COMIC BOOK DAY short story
Collects REVIVAL 1-5 and the FREE COMIC BOOK DAY short story
130 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 12, 2012
About the author
Tim Seeley
1,455 books556 followersTim Seeley is a comic book artist and writer known for his work on books such as G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, The Dark Elf Trilogy, Batman Eternal and Grayson. He is also the co-creator of the Image Comics titles Hack/Slash[1] and Revival, as well as the Dark Horse titles, ExSanguine and Sundowners. He lives in Chicago.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 768 reviews
January 1, 2023
(A-) 80% | Very Good
Notes: Intriguing, smart, proficient art, but focus comes apart: drama goes soapy, thinner and dopey, but still a stirring start.
Notes: Intriguing, smart, proficient art, but focus comes apart: drama goes soapy, thinner and dopey, but still a stirring start.
July 27, 2018
I can't believe I haven't reviewed this comic here on goodreads yet, or at the very least marked it as "read" and given it a 5-star rating.
This is an amazing comic series, folks. And I'm not just saying that because it's set here in beautiful central Wisconsin, in the town of Wausau, about 50 miles north of where I live.
It's a delightful story, full of mystery. It's set in the real world, with a tinge of the the supernatural. It's described as a "Rural Noir" on the cover. I'm not sure what that means, but it does have a nice ring to it.
It's a fun, clever story that is so unique that I was two volumes in before I realized that it *could* be considered a zombie story. (Though that doesn't really give the right impression. It's not like any zombie story you've ever read.)
Best of all, the entire series is complete. So if it proves to be up your alley, you can binge the whole thing and get the complete story.
All in all, very worth your time.
Might not be your thing if: You have a problem with violence or supernatural. (Though it isn't hugely graphic or gratuitous in either area.)
Might *absolutely* be your thing if: If you like character-centered stories with a lot of mystery. Also, if you like zombie stories, but you're bored with reading the same thing again and again.
This is an amazing comic series, folks. And I'm not just saying that because it's set here in beautiful central Wisconsin, in the town of Wausau, about 50 miles north of where I live.
It's a delightful story, full of mystery. It's set in the real world, with a tinge of the the supernatural. It's described as a "Rural Noir" on the cover. I'm not sure what that means, but it does have a nice ring to it.
It's a fun, clever story that is so unique that I was two volumes in before I realized that it *could* be considered a zombie story. (Though that doesn't really give the right impression. It's not like any zombie story you've ever read.)
Best of all, the entire series is complete. So if it proves to be up your alley, you can binge the whole thing and get the complete story.
All in all, very worth your time.
Might not be your thing if: You have a problem with violence or supernatural. (Though it isn't hugely graphic or gratuitous in either area.)
Might *absolutely* be your thing if: If you like character-centered stories with a lot of mystery. Also, if you like zombie stories, but you're bored with reading the same thing again and again.
October 7, 2017
I was shocked at how much I enjoyed this fresh(ish) take on reanimating the dead.
Not zombies! Just, well, one minute some of the members of this small town are dead, the next...not so much.
Yay! Right?
Eh...maybe. Because some of the revived are starting to act strangely.
This is where Wisconson police officer, Dana Cypress, comes in. She's been put in charge of keeping tabs on (and keeping the peace with!) the revivers, because tensions are high since the event happened and CDC quarantined their small town.
But the story has more layers to it than just a simple (<--not simple) tale of the dead rising. The characters have dimension and feel fleshed-out in a real way. I was interested in the mysterious spooky shit happening in Wausau, but I was also interested in what was happening to the characters on a personal level, as well.
There's quite a bit more I'd like to say, but I really don't want to spoil anything for those of you who may not have started this series yet. I went into it knowing nothing and I was very pleasantly surprised.
Highly recommended!
This was another fabulous comic out of the Halloween Horror gift basket that was sent to me by my freaky friend.
Thank you!
Not zombies! Just, well, one minute some of the members of this small town are dead, the next...not so much.
Yay! Right?
Eh...maybe. Because some of the revived are starting to act strangely.
This is where Wisconson police officer, Dana Cypress, comes in. She's been put in charge of keeping tabs on (and keeping the peace with!) the revivers, because tensions are high since the event happened and CDC quarantined their small town.
But the story has more layers to it than just a simple (<--not simple) tale of the dead rising. The characters have dimension and feel fleshed-out in a real way. I was interested in the mysterious spooky shit happening in Wausau, but I was also interested in what was happening to the characters on a personal level, as well.
There's quite a bit more I'd like to say, but I really don't want to spoil anything for those of you who may not have started this series yet. I went into it knowing nothing and I was very pleasantly surprised.
Highly recommended!
This was another fabulous comic out of the Halloween Horror gift basket that was sent to me by my freaky friend.
Thank you!
March 31, 2020
yeah, like i am going to be able to write a review that says anything my godparents of zombie-intelligentsia, mike and ceridwen, haven't already said in their reviews.
but a book read is a book that needs to be reviewed, so i will add my tiny mew to their roars.
because this is good stuff. and even if you are "over" the whole "zombie thing," you can pretty much shusshify, because this is one of those "revitalizations of the genre" situations that twists the zombie mythos into something way more emotionally rewarding than the norm.
in this tease of a first volume, which collects issues 1-5 plus a free comic book day story, there is still so much left unanswered. it is tantalizing. but what we do learn is that one day, some of the dead of a small town in wisconsin came back to life. not as brainless drooling monsters, where it is easy to say "that creature is no longer your mother, put a bullet in its head," but... unchanged. talking. walking. behaving as they have their whole lives. but still - dead.
so the town is quarantined until further investigation can be done, the cdc is called in on a special task force, and the town carries on as usual. family grievances, racial tensions, affairs, jealousies, with all of this "revival" hanging over them. until suddenly, the (un)dead start showing their teeth.
which precedes the best shudder-scene ever.
the story-trickles are masterful. there are a many tales being told here, and just as many remaining tucked away, hopefully for later. there are hints, half-revealed subplots, unplumbed depths.. it gives me the reader-shivers, when you can tell that your story is in good hands, and all will eventually be brought to light, but you are only given the suggestion of what is to come, although with plenty of excellent action scenes.
this is a really haunting little graphic novel, and let's just pause a moment to love on the cover a little:
yeah. like that.
truly great beginning to a story i can't wait to continue. WRITE! DRAW! WHIPCRACK!
come to my blog!
but a book read is a book that needs to be reviewed, so i will add my tiny mew to their roars.
because this is good stuff. and even if you are "over" the whole "zombie thing," you can pretty much shusshify, because this is one of those "revitalizations of the genre" situations that twists the zombie mythos into something way more emotionally rewarding than the norm.
in this tease of a first volume, which collects issues 1-5 plus a free comic book day story, there is still so much left unanswered. it is tantalizing. but what we do learn is that one day, some of the dead of a small town in wisconsin came back to life. not as brainless drooling monsters, where it is easy to say "that creature is no longer your mother, put a bullet in its head," but... unchanged. talking. walking. behaving as they have their whole lives. but still - dead.
so the town is quarantined until further investigation can be done, the cdc is called in on a special task force, and the town carries on as usual. family grievances, racial tensions, affairs, jealousies, with all of this "revival" hanging over them. until suddenly, the (un)dead start showing their teeth.
which precedes the best shudder-scene ever.
the story-trickles are masterful. there are a many tales being told here, and just as many remaining tucked away, hopefully for later. there are hints, half-revealed subplots, unplumbed depths.. it gives me the reader-shivers, when you can tell that your story is in good hands, and all will eventually be brought to light, but you are only given the suggestion of what is to come, although with plenty of excellent action scenes.
this is a really haunting little graphic novel, and let's just pause a moment to love on the cover a little:
yeah. like that.
truly great beginning to a story i can't wait to continue. WRITE! DRAW! WHIPCRACK!
come to my blog!
July 4, 2022
Well, my one and only foray into comics-land by the way of brilliant Saga has set my expectations very high. And that’s going to be a problem, I see.
This is a dead revival story but not a zombie story. In a small Wisconsin town a few dead came back, pretty much acting like they had in life (well, minus one bloodthirstily murderous octogenarian). And of course the government decides to quarantine the town and observe the happenings, while inside the perimeter everything goes on as usual minus an occasional revived dead person, murderous maniacs, exorcists, stalkers, flinging poop, demon ghosts, etc. The usual small-town shenanigans, basically.
There’s a lot going on in these 130 comic book pages, quite a few plot threads that seem at this point only loosely related and presented at a rapid pace. Unfortunately, it also gives the story a bit of a disjointed whiplash feeling, with an overall unfocused and chaotic impression. It needed to either have fewer storylines or first develop a few main ones with tighter focus and only then add side plots.
That said, even with the unfocused feel it was not bad. Apparently it’s “rural noir” with supernatural flair, and it has an interesting feel and mood. And Martha is shaping up to be an interesting character to follow. The main question is — will it get more focused eventually? I may want to find out.
3 stars.
——————
Also posted on my blog.
——————
Recommended by: Dennis
This is a dead revival story but not a zombie story. In a small Wisconsin town a few dead came back, pretty much acting like they had in life (well, minus one bloodthirstily murderous octogenarian). And of course the government decides to quarantine the town and observe the happenings, while inside the perimeter everything goes on as usual minus an occasional revived dead person, murderous maniacs, exorcists, stalkers, flinging poop, demon ghosts, etc. The usual small-town shenanigans, basically.
There’s a lot going on in these 130 comic book pages, quite a few plot threads that seem at this point only loosely related and presented at a rapid pace. Unfortunately, it also gives the story a bit of a disjointed whiplash feeling, with an overall unfocused and chaotic impression. It needed to either have fewer storylines or first develop a few main ones with tighter focus and only then add side plots.
That said, even with the unfocused feel it was not bad. Apparently it’s “rural noir” with supernatural flair, and it has an interesting feel and mood. And Martha is shaping up to be an interesting character to follow. The main question is — will it get more focused eventually? I may want to find out.
3 stars.
——————
Also posted on my blog.
——————
Recommended by: Dennis
September 24, 2016
I really wanted this book when I read about it and got to see a few pictures. After reading it I'm sort of confused about some stuff. But I really enjoyed it.
So, this little town in Wisconsin all of the sudden has people rising from the dead. Some of them are all like, "where am I?" Others seem okay and then you get them home and they go all crazy ape on you!
Then you have these demon or person white thing wandering around the forests spouting out names and trying to talk. I really want to know what's up with that thing.
Dana Cypress is an officer and she's helping her father try to figure out what is going on along with the big wigs of course. And there is something freaky weird going on with her dead sister. Hmmm, maybe it will all come out in later issues.
Either way, I enjoyed it. There is some macabre things in the book and some mysteries that I want to know about. Now I just have to buy the other books to date and figure it out!
And I love the graphics as well!
MY BLOG: Melissa Martin's Reading List
So, this little town in Wisconsin all of the sudden has people rising from the dead. Some of them are all like, "where am I?" Others seem okay and then you get them home and they go all crazy ape on you!
Then you have these demon or person white thing wandering around the forests spouting out names and trying to talk. I really want to know what's up with that thing.
Dana Cypress is an officer and she's helping her father try to figure out what is going on along with the big wigs of course. And there is something freaky weird going on with her dead sister. Hmmm, maybe it will all come out in later issues.
Either way, I enjoyed it. There is some macabre things in the book and some mysteries that I want to know about. Now I just have to buy the other books to date and figure it out!
And I love the graphics as well!
MY BLOG: Melissa Martin's Reading List
February 7, 2022
2022 buddy (re)read with Nataliya
It pains me a little, but I have to downgrade my rating for this one. I have recommended this to several people as a comic book I really enjoyed and I see that pretty much all of my friends gave it high ratings. But for some reason it didn't work as well for me this time.
It could be that we recently binge-read Saga, very likely the gold standard in all of comics, or that we got distracted by biathlon, tennis reminiscing and spilled pizza. But this was a very disjointed reading experience. Part of this is surely down to the book as well, which rapidly goes back and forth between several plot threads without ever giving anything the proper time to develop into something that goes beyond only the surface of a potentially interesting story.
The setting and the main character are still intriguing and I want to see how I will feel about the second volume now. But for now, sadly, I have to contradict myself:
2018 review
A refreshing take on the Zombie genre.
In rural Wisconsin some people just refuse to die. So the police deploys a special unit that, with some help from the CDC, investigates the un-deaths of those people.
But the Revivers do not just slurp around and try to gnaw on people’s necks. Some of them seem almost normal, actually. Apart from the fact that being stabbed or shot or run over by an eighteen-wheeler doesn’t make them miss breakfast. Others are really losing their shit. And some do not look or behave like people at all.
Even though it looks like Fargo, I was thinking of The X-Files and Stranger Things quite a few times while reading this.
People are trying to figure out how to deal with the crazy stuff that's happening here. Apparently not being able to die takes some time to get used to. And, as always in life, you’ll make one or two mistakes along the way.
Family is another big topic in this one. Especially the relationships between father (the Sheriff in this story) and daughters (a cop and a student). And how the two women are either trying to live up to the expectations of their dad or trying to make themselves free of them altogether.
But Seeley throws in a lot of other stuff. Marriage and parenting problems, a demon hunter with an agenda, class devide, a murder case, the morals of life support, some religious stuff, the list goes on. And what have Limp Bizkit to do with it all?
Sometimes there was a bit of head scratching on my part.
Bottom line is, I’m intrigued by the mystery, love the setting and like the art and the characters. With just a little more of a focused narration this could become one of my favorites.
Recommended!
It pains me a little, but I have to downgrade my rating for this one. I have recommended this to several people as a comic book I really enjoyed and I see that pretty much all of my friends gave it high ratings. But for some reason it didn't work as well for me this time.
It could be that we recently binge-read Saga, very likely the gold standard in all of comics, or that we got distracted by biathlon, tennis reminiscing and spilled pizza. But this was a very disjointed reading experience. Part of this is surely down to the book as well, which rapidly goes back and forth between several plot threads without ever giving anything the proper time to develop into something that goes beyond only the surface of a potentially interesting story.
The setting and the main character are still intriguing and I want to see how I will feel about the second volume now. But for now, sadly, I have to contradict myself:
2018 review
A refreshing take on the Zombie genre.
In rural Wisconsin some people just refuse to die. So the police deploys a special unit that, with some help from the CDC, investigates the un-deaths of those people.
But the Revivers do not just slurp around and try to gnaw on people’s necks. Some of them seem almost normal, actually. Apart from the fact that being stabbed or shot or run over by an eighteen-wheeler doesn’t make them miss breakfast. Others are really losing their shit. And some do not look or behave like people at all.
Even though it looks like Fargo, I was thinking of The X-Files and Stranger Things quite a few times while reading this.
People are trying to figure out how to deal with the crazy stuff that's happening here. Apparently not being able to die takes some time to get used to. And, as always in life, you’ll make one or two mistakes along the way.
Family is another big topic in this one. Especially the relationships between father (the Sheriff in this story) and daughters (a cop and a student). And how the two women are either trying to live up to the expectations of their dad or trying to make themselves free of them altogether.
But Seeley throws in a lot of other stuff. Marriage and parenting problems, a demon hunter with an agenda, class devide, a murder case, the morals of life support, some religious stuff, the list goes on. And what have Limp Bizkit to do with it all?
Sometimes there was a bit of head scratching on my part.
Bottom line is, I’m intrigued by the mystery, love the setting and like the art and the characters. With just a little more of a focused narration this could become one of my favorites.
Recommended!
September 10, 2016
I picked up this first volume of Revival because I'm generally interested in the horror genre, and because the series was listed by Comic Book Resources as one of the year's best in 2012 and 2013. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy it as much.
While I generally appreciated the attempt to breathe new life into the old zombie sub-genre, my main problem was that the characters never really came to life for me. We are told, for example, that protagonist Dana "became a cop just to get [her dad's] approval"--I don't know, people tend to be more complex than that in my experience. And when the bad guy says something like "and now the power of Christ gonna compel you to choke on my motherfucking dick," that doesn't actually sound all that scary to me, more like the parody of a bad guy.
To make things worse, all the story's key components reminded me of other, better stories: The zombies-as-almost-regular-human-beings twist was done to more interesting effect in the dream-like French movie Les revenants (2004); the quirky, somewhat noirish portrayal of small-town police work in the snow made me wish I was watching Fargo instead; and spunky protagonist Dana with her black hair and freckles and tuque reminded me more than a little of Carrie Stetko from Greg Rucka's superior crime drama Whiteout.
Bottom line: not awful, but overrated.
While I generally appreciated the attempt to breathe new life into the old zombie sub-genre, my main problem was that the characters never really came to life for me. We are told, for example, that protagonist Dana "became a cop just to get [her dad's] approval"--I don't know, people tend to be more complex than that in my experience. And when the bad guy says something like "and now the power of Christ gonna compel you to choke on my motherfucking dick," that doesn't actually sound all that scary to me, more like the parody of a bad guy.
To make things worse, all the story's key components reminded me of other, better stories: The zombies-as-almost-regular-human-beings twist was done to more interesting effect in the dream-like French movie Les revenants (2004); the quirky, somewhat noirish portrayal of small-town police work in the snow made me wish I was watching Fargo instead; and spunky protagonist Dana with her black hair and freckles and tuque reminded me more than a little of Carrie Stetko from Greg Rucka's superior crime drama Whiteout.
Bottom line: not awful, but overrated.
December 30, 2014
This has gotten some stellar reviews here on Goodreads and for the life of me I can’t see why. It bills itself as a rural noir, but I think this is a book where the author just throws ideas and characters into a huge graphic novel maw to see what gets hurled (in a vomit-y kind of way) back - police procedural, mystery, drama, horror, supernatural, and sure, okay, noir.
The basic premise is this: rural town in Wisconsin has about two dozen people who have suddenly come back to life, the town is being quarantined by the CDC, nut jobs of all sorts come out of the wood work, and there’s a ghost(?)/spirit(?)/demon(?) on the loose. Plus, the revived dead aren’t quite adjusting to their new “life”.
Genre bending can be entertaining but this super sub-plotathon makes for wonky pacing and questionable dramatic tension building. On the plus side, there are some well-crafted characters, good artwork and Tim Seeley does have an ear for dialogue, but it’s not enough to recommend this.
The basic premise is this: rural town in Wisconsin has about two dozen people who have suddenly come back to life, the town is being quarantined by the CDC, nut jobs of all sorts come out of the wood work, and there’s a ghost(?)/spirit(?)/demon(?) on the loose. Plus, the revived dead aren’t quite adjusting to their new “life”.
Genre bending can be entertaining but this super sub-plotathon makes for wonky pacing and questionable dramatic tension building. On the plus side, there are some well-crafted characters, good artwork and Tim Seeley does have an ear for dialogue, but it’s not enough to recommend this.
October 28, 2013
OCTOBER COUNTRY 2013
This is a re-read for me, in preparation of hitting up Volume 2, and I gotta say, I'm still excited about what this series has to offer. It's a claustrophobic tale set in a quarantined Midwestern town that has recently fallen prey to a rash of re-animations. The dead are coming back to life, but not in the way you think, or with the same dramatic gore and apocalyptic consequences we have come to expect from the walking dead.
This isn't a traditional zombie tale. First and foremost it's a story about a cast of characters thrust into a very unusual and distressing situation. What happens when the dead and gone who have been grieved and laid to rest suddenly barge back into our lives again, not just walking, but talking? With needs, and fears, and memories?
What happens when the outside world beyond the borders of your sleepy little town becomes fearful and paranoid and only wants to contain whatever mystery is unfolding in your backyard, holding you under scrutiny and behind roadblocks leaving your town to not only fend for itself but ride out whatever traumas yet to unfold?
Officer Dana Cypress is caught right in the middle of the inexplicable "revivals" along with her sister Martha (or Em) who has a terrible secret. Then there's the rookie journalist May who senses there's much more going on in the town than meets the eye.
This is a story that takes its time, and by the end leaves you with way more questions than answers. But the pull of the mystery is so addictive, you'll be desperate to get your hands on the next volume. It's a story that's rich in atmosphere, a creepy-crawly sensation of impending doom, but doom that's on a more personal scale of individual tragedy, rather than unleashing a free-floating anxiety for the fate of the entire human race.
The graphic art is crisp and clean and terrifying where it needs to be. The nature of small town life is realistically portrayed and the panel after panel of snow and cold had me thinking of Fargo and that a lot can happen in the middle of nowhere. My one complaint is that the three main women characters (Dana, her sister Em, and reporter May) are very similar in appearance, at least at first glance. I was better equipped to tell them apart this time around, but it still took some practice. It's a shame that they should be artistically rendered so similarly, because as characters, each woman is very different with her own distinctive voice and personality.
Do yourself a favor and give this one a try.
This review can also be found at Busty Book Bimbo
This is a re-read for me, in preparation of hitting up Volume 2, and I gotta say, I'm still excited about what this series has to offer. It's a claustrophobic tale set in a quarantined Midwestern town that has recently fallen prey to a rash of re-animations. The dead are coming back to life, but not in the way you think, or with the same dramatic gore and apocalyptic consequences we have come to expect from the walking dead.
This isn't a traditional zombie tale. First and foremost it's a story about a cast of characters thrust into a very unusual and distressing situation. What happens when the dead and gone who have been grieved and laid to rest suddenly barge back into our lives again, not just walking, but talking? With needs, and fears, and memories?
What happens when the outside world beyond the borders of your sleepy little town becomes fearful and paranoid and only wants to contain whatever mystery is unfolding in your backyard, holding you under scrutiny and behind roadblocks leaving your town to not only fend for itself but ride out whatever traumas yet to unfold?
Officer Dana Cypress is caught right in the middle of the inexplicable "revivals" along with her sister Martha (or Em) who has a terrible secret. Then there's the rookie journalist May who senses there's much more going on in the town than meets the eye.
This is a story that takes its time, and by the end leaves you with way more questions than answers. But the pull of the mystery is so addictive, you'll be desperate to get your hands on the next volume. It's a story that's rich in atmosphere, a creepy-crawly sensation of impending doom, but doom that's on a more personal scale of individual tragedy, rather than unleashing a free-floating anxiety for the fate of the entire human race.
The graphic art is crisp and clean and terrifying where it needs to be. The nature of small town life is realistically portrayed and the panel after panel of snow and cold had me thinking of Fargo and that a lot can happen in the middle of nowhere. My one complaint is that the three main women characters (Dana, her sister Em, and reporter May) are very similar in appearance, at least at first glance. I was better equipped to tell them apart this time around, but it still took some practice. It's a shame that they should be artistically rendered so similarly, because as characters, each woman is very different with her own distinctive voice and personality.
Do yourself a favor and give this one a try.
This review can also be found at Busty Book Bimbo
May 5, 2018
What if a group of people returned from the dead in a rural Wisconsin town? They're not zombies. Most seem perfectly fine. Some go a little crazy at times. Why did only these people return? Is it a phenomenon that will spread? The government wants answers so the town is cordoned off and the CDC is sent in. Our main character, Dana Cypress, is a deputy assigned to team up with the CDC to find out what's going on. Seeley and Norton have created a Fargoesque town full of mystery and horror. It completely hooked me from the first issue.
Just as fantastic the second time around. Doing a reread of the series as I finally got access to the final 3 volumes.
Just as fantastic the second time around. Doing a reread of the series as I finally got access to the final 3 volumes.
April 18, 2017
Supernatural horror in rural Wisconsin? Yes please.
This was great! Small town drama, good characterization, graphic violence, fantastic artwork, and a fairly unique take on the horror genre. I'm surprised by comparisons to Walking Dead because it's nothing like that or most zombie stories. Even the word "zombie" doesn't do it justice. People die and then reanimate, sure, but many don't look dead, most are conscious, and they all have regenerative healing. Sound like Walking Dead? Nope!
I also like the extra-supernatural element, which I can tell will be a long plot thread. Is it a ghost? Demon? Alien? Death itself? Who knows! But it's awesome.
I feel like Revival doesn't get what it's due, so if you like gothic or supernatural horror, it's worth checking out.
January 14, 2014
In a small town in rural Wisconsin, the dead are coming back to life! But these aren’t your regular rotting, shuffling, braaaains-eatin’ zombies, these are ordinary people, walking around with their memories of life, somewhat shocked at having experienced death and lived to tell about it! Officer Dana Cypress and the rest of her small police force, headed up by her stern father, cordon off the town and wait to discover what it all means – why won’t the dead stay dead?
I liked the premise a lot as it’s a different take on the overplayed zombie genre and has a lot of potential in exploring the nature of death and our relation to it. After all, losing a loved one brings with it an enormous amount of grief – but what if they came back to us? Would it be a relief or a mixed blessing? Also the subtitle – “rural noir” - is enticing as I think of Shirley Jackson’s terrifying short story The Lottery and Grant Wood’s haunting painting, American Gothic – all to the good.
But Revival Volume 1 doesn’t live up to any of it. It reads instead like a mediocre police procedural as the dull characters’ witter on about their clichéd and/or boring relationships throughout the fantastic events of the dead coming back to life. When it does get to the dead, it gets a little interesting but most of this first volume is spent repeatedly watching the dead come back to life, shocking the living, over and over again. How are the living going about figuring out what caused all of this? Which character is actively trying to find this out? None of them. Instead it’s a largely static storyline with the characters stuck inside the quarantined small town, reacting to yet another dead person returned to life.
It’s good to see a female main character but Dana isn’t the strong female lead you’d hope for and is more of a walking cliché. For example, it’s established early on that her daddy issues are so overwhelming that she’s become a police officer just to get her gruff father’s approval – not exactly something a strong female would do, is it? Also her character design, job, and the snowy Wisconsin winter reminded me a lot of the main character of Greg Rucka’s Whiteout – not a great reminder as I am definitely not a Rucka fan. Nevertheless, it’s like Seeley’s lifted that character entirely from that comic and transplanted her onto his.
It’s not just Dana either, her sister – one of the revivers, interestingly – is the clichéd student having an affair with her college professor while their dad is the emotionally distant police chief who looks a lot like Jim Gordon, and even the Indian/American guy’s issues at being typecast by his ethnicity felt over-used and tired.
Seeley throws in a few extra characters like a new age Exorcist – who I think was the bad guy? – and a weird amorphous ghost wandering through the woods but they’re more confusing than interesting. The ghost is apparently the ghost of a ‘Nam vet but there’s a ghost baby too? Uh… is it his? And how? Is he a she? Can ghosts have babies? And the Exorcist dude – what’s his deal?
Here are two things the book is missing: a plot and a villain. I think the Exorcist guy is evil but I don’t know why or what his motivations are. And instead of wondering where the story was going, I kept wondering what the story was – all Seeley’s done is bring the dead back which has shocked the living. That’s not a story, that’s an event, a setup – do something with it!
Revival has potential but I don’t think Seeley is talented enough to realise it, he’s simply not a good enough writer. Mike “Young Avengers” Norton and his art is definitely the best part of the comic but his character designs here leave a lot to be desired. Too many characters look alike and none are particularly memorable. Revival’s like a middle of the road TV show about country cops when instead it should be focused more on the supernatural horror noir story because that’s more interesting for the reader. Other reviewers who aren’t as enamoured with the series have said they’re interested in seeing where the series goes next – not me, I’m done with Volume 1. Will Dana get her dad’s approval? Who the hell cares?!
I liked the premise a lot as it’s a different take on the overplayed zombie genre and has a lot of potential in exploring the nature of death and our relation to it. After all, losing a loved one brings with it an enormous amount of grief – but what if they came back to us? Would it be a relief or a mixed blessing? Also the subtitle – “rural noir” - is enticing as I think of Shirley Jackson’s terrifying short story The Lottery and Grant Wood’s haunting painting, American Gothic – all to the good.
But Revival Volume 1 doesn’t live up to any of it. It reads instead like a mediocre police procedural as the dull characters’ witter on about their clichéd and/or boring relationships throughout the fantastic events of the dead coming back to life. When it does get to the dead, it gets a little interesting but most of this first volume is spent repeatedly watching the dead come back to life, shocking the living, over and over again. How are the living going about figuring out what caused all of this? Which character is actively trying to find this out? None of them. Instead it’s a largely static storyline with the characters stuck inside the quarantined small town, reacting to yet another dead person returned to life.
It’s good to see a female main character but Dana isn’t the strong female lead you’d hope for and is more of a walking cliché. For example, it’s established early on that her daddy issues are so overwhelming that she’s become a police officer just to get her gruff father’s approval – not exactly something a strong female would do, is it? Also her character design, job, and the snowy Wisconsin winter reminded me a lot of the main character of Greg Rucka’s Whiteout – not a great reminder as I am definitely not a Rucka fan. Nevertheless, it’s like Seeley’s lifted that character entirely from that comic and transplanted her onto his.
It’s not just Dana either, her sister – one of the revivers, interestingly – is the clichéd student having an affair with her college professor while their dad is the emotionally distant police chief who looks a lot like Jim Gordon, and even the Indian/American guy’s issues at being typecast by his ethnicity felt over-used and tired.
Seeley throws in a few extra characters like a new age Exorcist – who I think was the bad guy? – and a weird amorphous ghost wandering through the woods but they’re more confusing than interesting. The ghost is apparently the ghost of a ‘Nam vet but there’s a ghost baby too? Uh… is it his? And how? Is he a she? Can ghosts have babies? And the Exorcist dude – what’s his deal?
Here are two things the book is missing: a plot and a villain. I think the Exorcist guy is evil but I don’t know why or what his motivations are. And instead of wondering where the story was going, I kept wondering what the story was – all Seeley’s done is bring the dead back which has shocked the living. That’s not a story, that’s an event, a setup – do something with it!
Revival has potential but I don’t think Seeley is talented enough to realise it, he’s simply not a good enough writer. Mike “Young Avengers” Norton and his art is definitely the best part of the comic but his character designs here leave a lot to be desired. Too many characters look alike and none are particularly memorable. Revival’s like a middle of the road TV show about country cops when instead it should be focused more on the supernatural horror noir story because that’s more interesting for the reader. Other reviewers who aren’t as enamoured with the series have said they’re interested in seeing where the series goes next – not me, I’m done with Volume 1. Will Dana get her dad’s approval? Who the hell cares?!
May 7, 2017
This wasn't bad, but it wasn't good, either. The concept was good. There were some storytelling issues. I wish there was less characters because most of my confusion stemmed from the fact that there was too many characters. Some of these characters weren't even too important. I might post a more coherent review for this soon - or when I get the time.
November 22, 2018
I couldn't find this anywhere so I had to order it, and I only ordered volume 1, for obvious reasons, to be sure I liked it first before ordering all 8 volumes. And I not only liked it, but I had a dream about it last night. Like literally I dreamt the entire storyline. It was insane, and sorta awesome, and definitely nightmarish but now that I'm awake it's more cool than anything. I can recall in my head perfectly the images and setting.
Okay but anyway, aside from that, I dug this graphic novel very much. One minor complaint was that all the female characters looked very similar. I don't know if that was because they were supposed to be Eskimo/Inuit & that was the illustrator illustrating their likeness, or if it was just a totally random choice, but it confused me a bit at first, distinguishing between characters. But other than that, no complaints here. I think this was a pretty great opening volume, I can see the way the author is carefully laying out the setting and storylines. (I can see it so well in fact, that I'm seeing it in my head even! In my dreams;)"
So far so good, I'm ordering the rest ASAP!
Edit: re-started this series Nov. 21. 2018
Okay but anyway, aside from that, I dug this graphic novel very much. One minor complaint was that all the female characters looked very similar. I don't know if that was because they were supposed to be Eskimo/Inuit & that was the illustrator illustrating their likeness, or if it was just a totally random choice, but it confused me a bit at first, distinguishing between characters. But other than that, no complaints here. I think this was a pretty great opening volume, I can see the way the author is carefully laying out the setting and storylines. (I can see it so well in fact, that I'm seeing it in my head even! In my dreams;)"
So far so good, I'm ordering the rest ASAP!
Edit: re-started this series Nov. 21. 2018
October 29, 2017
Really cool concept and I have no clue where the author is going with this story. Definitely intrigued, and will possibly have nightmares.
August 14, 2015
3.5 stars.
Interesting, but not enough to keep me interested.
Some good artwork, but nothing stood out enough that was appealing enough to make me continue reading when there are better reads out there.
Interesting, but not enough to keep me interested.
Some good artwork, but nothing stood out enough that was appealing enough to make me continue reading when there are better reads out there.
April 9, 2018
This is a zombie comic, sort of. It is not The Walking Dead, a wonderful comic and TV-series detailing the lives of survivors of a zombie apocalypse, who are constantly being hunted by the zombies and other humans alike. This series focuses on a small town, where certain people have returned to life. They have kept their memories, and have returned to their normal lives, they are just as functioning as any other humans. But no one truly knows what is going on, some declare it as a sign of the Rapture, others a miracle in science, and some, really want these people gone, but the general consensus is, no one knows what has turned such a small town, with no great history or involvement with the outside world, into ground zero for a zombie epidemic.
Dana Cypress is an officer in this town, and she is being assigned to help Ibrahaim Ramin, the CDC liaison, to keep watch and investigate the “revived,” since it seems some of them have some issues adjusting to being brought back to life. No, there has not been any cases of anyone eating anyone yet, but I don’t doubt it might happen in later volumes. Dana’s first case is the murder of a half-zebra-half-horse, whose family to which it belongs is blaming their neighbour. Due to the family’s old lady being a revived, things don’t work out as well as they should, and we have more discoveries made and more hatred spewed, as well as a very odd and unfortunate family reunion. A side story follows the journalist who discovered and filmed the first case of the dead coming back to life, and her desire to see what else is going on in the town, and what might have led to it. There is also an exorcist, maybe a ghost, family issues, another mystery relating to a family member, affairs and a lot of blood and deaths.
It is the story of different people enduring what is going on without having any clue of what to do, of when the nightmares often scenes in films and TV-shows pops up in your own backyard. It is similar in this respect to Nailbiter, a town of many trying to continue on with their normal lives, but having the entire world looking at them. It is also, as some zombie/vampire/werewolf/other stories go, a social commentary for race, gender, sexuality, religion; an ode to the different ones, with cases of bigotry being shown not only when it comes to the revived, but also secondary and main characters, from a small comment on Islamophobia, to having to cross through a poor (almost segregated) neighbourhood to get to the rich side. This comic manages to do it without it overpowering the story, but simply given us small instances that are noticeable enough to be questioned, but not so much in our face that we are only submerged in it, aside the obvious parallels between them and the zombies of course. There is also a glimpse at how deep in religion our culture is, with many people claiming this momentous event as the beginning of the end. It could be, but it is more surprising that the town has managed to keep these believers away for so long, particularly when it is obvious those factions exist within the town’s folk.
What makes these zombies so interesting when compared to other zombies is that these ones have stories to tell us. They are our neighbours, friends, husbands, children, that one guy we all hate. They are people whom we might have closed our emotions to after they were gone from our lives to what we thought was forever, and now they are back and we are unsure of what to do with our feelings, after all, the mourning period has passed.
The art is very similar to usual comics, it is traditional in that aspect, though it is nice to see that the people that look alike here tend to be those related to each other instead of just random strangers (in case of the sisters Dana and Em), but they still maintain their own mannerism and attitudes, making them quite distinguishable from each other. The best of the art comes from the certain scenes that show the oddness the author and artist are training to portray mixed with the choice in colour. Colourlist are usually underrated, but if it weren’t for them, the story would not feel the same, and the impact of the scenery would not be as great, I am glad the colours here are so well added, particularly in the case of the ghost aka perhaps alien.
I was not sure I would like this, after all, I love my zombies to be brainless and hungry for flesh (thank you Walking Dead and World War Z). But that was before I was introduced to this type of zombie, their humanity is more frightening, and I hope the subsequent volumes continue on with this trend. Plus, the “noir” story keeps me very intrigued. If you love zombies, or if you’re tired of the same old story this comic will do a nice job into providing something new.
Dana Cypress is an officer in this town, and she is being assigned to help Ibrahaim Ramin, the CDC liaison, to keep watch and investigate the “revived,” since it seems some of them have some issues adjusting to being brought back to life. No, there has not been any cases of anyone eating anyone yet, but I don’t doubt it might happen in later volumes. Dana’s first case is the murder of a half-zebra-half-horse, whose family to which it belongs is blaming their neighbour. Due to the family’s old lady being a revived, things don’t work out as well as they should, and we have more discoveries made and more hatred spewed, as well as a very odd and unfortunate family reunion. A side story follows the journalist who discovered and filmed the first case of the dead coming back to life, and her desire to see what else is going on in the town, and what might have led to it. There is also an exorcist, maybe a ghost, family issues, another mystery relating to a family member, affairs and a lot of blood and deaths.
It is the story of different people enduring what is going on without having any clue of what to do, of when the nightmares often scenes in films and TV-shows pops up in your own backyard. It is similar in this respect to Nailbiter, a town of many trying to continue on with their normal lives, but having the entire world looking at them. It is also, as some zombie/vampire/werewolf/other stories go, a social commentary for race, gender, sexuality, religion; an ode to the different ones, with cases of bigotry being shown not only when it comes to the revived, but also secondary and main characters, from a small comment on Islamophobia, to having to cross through a poor (almost segregated) neighbourhood to get to the rich side. This comic manages to do it without it overpowering the story, but simply given us small instances that are noticeable enough to be questioned, but not so much in our face that we are only submerged in it, aside the obvious parallels between them and the zombies of course. There is also a glimpse at how deep in religion our culture is, with many people claiming this momentous event as the beginning of the end. It could be, but it is more surprising that the town has managed to keep these believers away for so long, particularly when it is obvious those factions exist within the town’s folk.
What makes these zombies so interesting when compared to other zombies is that these ones have stories to tell us. They are our neighbours, friends, husbands, children, that one guy we all hate. They are people whom we might have closed our emotions to after they were gone from our lives to what we thought was forever, and now they are back and we are unsure of what to do with our feelings, after all, the mourning period has passed.
The art is very similar to usual comics, it is traditional in that aspect, though it is nice to see that the people that look alike here tend to be those related to each other instead of just random strangers (in case of the sisters Dana and Em), but they still maintain their own mannerism and attitudes, making them quite distinguishable from each other. The best of the art comes from the certain scenes that show the oddness the author and artist are training to portray mixed with the choice in colour. Colourlist are usually underrated, but if it weren’t for them, the story would not feel the same, and the impact of the scenery would not be as great, I am glad the colours here are so well added, particularly in the case of the ghost aka perhaps alien.
I was not sure I would like this, after all, I love my zombies to be brainless and hungry for flesh (thank you Walking Dead and World War Z). But that was before I was introduced to this type of zombie, their humanity is more frightening, and I hope the subsequent volumes continue on with this trend. Plus, the “noir” story keeps me very intrigued. If you love zombies, or if you’re tired of the same old story this comic will do a nice job into providing something new.
May 6, 2020
Der Zeichnstil gefällt mir sehr gut, die Geschichte dagegen nicht so wirklich. Ja, die Idee ist sehr interessant, dass Tote wieder zum Leben erweckt werden aber die Umsetzung war mir persönlich nicht differenziert genug.
Ich hätte mir gewünscht, dass die Charaktere mehr Tiefe besitzen. Sie waren mir fast allesamt zu flach. Zudem war der Wechsel der Szenen oft so abrupt und oft machte es für mich keinen Sinn, warum diese Szene (manchmal nur auf einer Seite) überhaupt stattgefunden hat.
Leider werde ich nach diesem ersten Band die Serie nicht fortsetzen.
Ich hätte mir gewünscht, dass die Charaktere mehr Tiefe besitzen. Sie waren mir fast allesamt zu flach. Zudem war der Wechsel der Szenen oft so abrupt und oft machte es für mich keinen Sinn, warum diese Szene (manchmal nur auf einer Seite) überhaupt stattgefunden hat.
Leider werde ich nach diesem ersten Band die Serie nicht fortsetzen.
February 21, 2013
Revival is a stunning, splash in the bloodbath world of horror comics!
I need to start with the cover. This cover made one hell of a first impression! The haunting, dark look with a young woman wielding a sickle made me do a double take! She strolled her way into my dark, dark imagination and wonder. There was no way this book wasn’t coming home with me. Now on to the guts… :D
One day in a small Wisconsin town the dead came back to life. Twenty three people once dead are now back with their families, on the job, and in the land of the living. How? Why? And these people, known as “revivers”, are not eat-your-braaains type zombies--just neighbors, co-workers, friends, and family returned to their loved ones and old lives. Which emotion would hit you first—shock, relief, fear, or worry? Can a heart that mourned now open up to love and live again with the dead? Revival Day brings a world of interesting questions, worries, and problems crashing down on this small town. Demons, CDC, religious nuts, murder, and so much more fill this story with more plot points and people than it can handle.
The story seems to revolve around Officer Dana Cypress and her family—Sheriff Dad, her son, and younger sister with secrets of her own. But for me, there was WAY too much going on here. I realize book one sets up the action and introduces the cast of crazy, but it was overwhelming. Lots of fun and interesting introductions, but not enough substance and development for me to feel any kind of attachment or emotion to the mystery or main characters. My favorite character was Randy, the hilariously traumatized, pony-tailed, RUSH t-shirt wearing crematorium technician. He pulled a giggle or two out of me.
I will continue with the series though. I want to be there when all these pots begin to boil. Plus the blood was gushing, poring, and pooling in all the right places! :)
Too soon to say if this series will become an addiction, but I’m extremely curious to see where it will go from here.
April 17, 2015
The concept is what drew me to this book. The dead have come back to life, but only some of them. And they aren't exactly ravening zombies, but they're still very unsettling. For one, their presence rips open all kinds of old wounds. Then there's the strange, Wolverine-esque healing factor they seem to have acquired. And then there's the mystery that surrounds them. Why these few people? Why in this small town? If they're here for a reason, what is it? Don't expect a host of answers, because you won't get them here. I expected that. This is an ongoing series, and I can't expect the writer to give it all up in volume one.
I didn't expect there to be quite so many story threads. Too many? Maybe. In a few spots, the many different threads make the story more chaotic than it really should be, and naturally you lose focus when you need to follow up to half a dozen storylines. This would have been a better and, I think, more enjoyable book with a tighter focus on fewer plots. Yes, all this other stuff is interesting and all, but it didn't need to happen all at once. This is, after all, an ongoing series.
I'm going to continue reading this, at least for now, because I've been drawn in by the mystery. I also like the atmosphere, and there are some really effective scares in here. I think this could be really great, given a little time to grow.
I didn't expect there to be quite so many story threads. Too many? Maybe. In a few spots, the many different threads make the story more chaotic than it really should be, and naturally you lose focus when you need to follow up to half a dozen storylines. This would have been a better and, I think, more enjoyable book with a tighter focus on fewer plots. Yes, all this other stuff is interesting and all, but it didn't need to happen all at once. This is, after all, an ongoing series.
I'm going to continue reading this, at least for now, because I've been drawn in by the mystery. I also like the atmosphere, and there are some really effective scares in here. I think this could be really great, given a little time to grow.
January 21, 2016
The art in this is absolutely amazing!!!!
The story is so intriguing, and I really love the personality of all the characters. This is a small town but its a whole world of troubles.
Definitely continuing on with this graphic series :D
The story is so intriguing, and I really love the personality of all the characters. This is a small town but its a whole world of troubles.
Definitely continuing on with this graphic series :D
November 30, 2018
I have read quite a few graphic novels from Image and haven’t found one that I haven’t liked. Their stories are entertaining and illustrated beautifully. Revival volume one is no exception. 4 stars! Interested to see where it goes from here.
Revival is set in a small town in Wisconsin. One day 23 people came back to life. They’ve been called revivers and the town is now quarantined. The CDC and the local police have got their hands full, trying to figure out what is going on. Of course the family members are thrilled, the rest of the town are fearful.
We follow Dana a cop and the daughter of the police chief. Her sister Martha “Em”, is also a main character. Will they be able to find out what is going on before more people become victims or miracles?
Will definitely continue on with the story.
Revival is set in a small town in Wisconsin. One day 23 people came back to life. They’ve been called revivers and the town is now quarantined. The CDC and the local police have got their hands full, trying to figure out what is going on. Of course the family members are thrilled, the rest of the town are fearful.
We follow Dana a cop and the daughter of the police chief. Her sister Martha “Em”, is also a main character. Will they be able to find out what is going on before more people become victims or miracles?
Will definitely continue on with the story.
December 10, 2019
I honestly thought that the zombie genre was tapped out, that there was really no new directions in which to take the genre, but then I recently read Tim Seeley and Mike Norton’s graphic novel “Revival” (published in 2012), and I discovered, thankfully, that I was wrong.
Perhaps it’s a misnomer to label this comic book series a “zombie” comic. Yes, it involves the recently dead coming back to life, and, yes, some of these resurrected people become vicious and bloodthirsty, but these aren’t typical zombies. They’re certainly not Robert Kirkman’s “The Walking Dead” zombies, which fits more into the traditional George Romero’s “Living Dead” mold.
The “zombies” in Seeley/Norton’s series are just ordinary people who inexplicably come back to life. Like their friends and family, they are just as confused and terrified about the situation. Some of them seem fine. Others are a little “off”, as if the transition from life to death and back to life again screwed up some of the wiring in their brain.
This is why the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), with the help of the federal government, has quarantined the small town of Rothschild, Wisconsin. The inhabitants can’t leave, and nobody---with the exception of CDC scientists coming in to investigate---can come in.
Dana Cypress, an officer with the Rothschild Police Department, finds herself in over her head when weird things start happening with the “revivers”. Several reviver-related murders happen within days, creating a media circus. With the help of a CDC doctor named Ibrahim Ramin, Cypress must figure out what’s going on, before the scared townspeople start turning on the other revivers and, possibly, each other.
There’s also the big white ghost creature that is wandering the woods of the town, moaning about a lost baby, scaring the bejesus out of everybody.
This series is weird, in a really good way. It’s also disturbing and thought-provoking. It’s hard not to think about issues of spirituality, the afterlife, what happens when we die, and what would it feel like to have died and come back to life when reading this series. How traumatic would it be? Could one ever go back to a “normal” life after that?
Volume One of Revival, “You’re Among Friends”, compiles issues #1-5.
Perhaps it’s a misnomer to label this comic book series a “zombie” comic. Yes, it involves the recently dead coming back to life, and, yes, some of these resurrected people become vicious and bloodthirsty, but these aren’t typical zombies. They’re certainly not Robert Kirkman’s “The Walking Dead” zombies, which fits more into the traditional George Romero’s “Living Dead” mold.
The “zombies” in Seeley/Norton’s series are just ordinary people who inexplicably come back to life. Like their friends and family, they are just as confused and terrified about the situation. Some of them seem fine. Others are a little “off”, as if the transition from life to death and back to life again screwed up some of the wiring in their brain.
This is why the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), with the help of the federal government, has quarantined the small town of Rothschild, Wisconsin. The inhabitants can’t leave, and nobody---with the exception of CDC scientists coming in to investigate---can come in.
Dana Cypress, an officer with the Rothschild Police Department, finds herself in over her head when weird things start happening with the “revivers”. Several reviver-related murders happen within days, creating a media circus. With the help of a CDC doctor named Ibrahim Ramin, Cypress must figure out what’s going on, before the scared townspeople start turning on the other revivers and, possibly, each other.
There’s also the big white ghost creature that is wandering the woods of the town, moaning about a lost baby, scaring the bejesus out of everybody.
This series is weird, in a really good way. It’s also disturbing and thought-provoking. It’s hard not to think about issues of spirituality, the afterlife, what happens when we die, and what would it feel like to have died and come back to life when reading this series. How traumatic would it be? Could one ever go back to a “normal” life after that?
Volume One of Revival, “You’re Among Friends”, compiles issues #1-5.
February 2, 2019
Okay years later I finally sat down and re-read this (again) for the third time to see if my opinion changed. Did it? No.
It's still a solid fun title. Basically, revival is about a bunch of dead people coming back to life. No, that as zombies, just them regular selves, or so we think. The story here revolves around a few characters, one major one being Dana who is a cop trying to solve what is happening. Her sister, who is a revival, trying to find out who killed her. A news reporter who broke the revival news. And a demon hunter. Oh and there's a alien looking spirit thing floating around in the background.
Good: The art is pretty solid with interesting enough character designs to separate characters. I enjoyed most of the dialogue, it's easy and fun, and flows well. The twist and turns will keep you entertain as nothing really feels boring when reading multiple character's stories.
Bad: The genre mixing can be super fun, here it's just decent. They clash a bit and the vibe/tone is hard to place. I also think some characters are just more interesting than others, and our main hero, Dana, is one of the least interesting sadly.
This a solid horror mystery series. It's not mindblowing but it works on the level to keep it entertaining. I'll give the first four volumes a chance to see if it captures me since I gave up on volume 3 last time. A 3 out of 5.
It's still a solid fun title. Basically, revival is about a bunch of dead people coming back to life. No, that as zombies, just them regular selves, or so we think. The story here revolves around a few characters, one major one being Dana who is a cop trying to solve what is happening. Her sister, who is a revival, trying to find out who killed her. A news reporter who broke the revival news. And a demon hunter. Oh and there's a alien looking spirit thing floating around in the background.
Good: The art is pretty solid with interesting enough character designs to separate characters. I enjoyed most of the dialogue, it's easy and fun, and flows well. The twist and turns will keep you entertain as nothing really feels boring when reading multiple character's stories.
Bad: The genre mixing can be super fun, here it's just decent. They clash a bit and the vibe/tone is hard to place. I also think some characters are just more interesting than others, and our main hero, Dana, is one of the least interesting sadly.
This a solid horror mystery series. It's not mindblowing but it works on the level to keep it entertaining. I'll give the first four volumes a chance to see if it captures me since I gave up on volume 3 last time. A 3 out of 5.
November 10, 2018
3.5 Stars
This was a dark graphic novel with an intriguing mystery at the core of the story. The artwork was well drawn wihth some wonderfully gruesome scenes. Towards the end of the volume, I thought the narrative started to weaken so I lost of my interest. I'm not certain if I would continue on with the series.
This was a dark graphic novel with an intriguing mystery at the core of the story. The artwork was well drawn wihth some wonderfully gruesome scenes. Towards the end of the volume, I thought the narrative started to weaken so I lost of my interest. I'm not certain if I would continue on with the series.
November 9, 2019
Very nice chapter art. Good artwork in general. However, till the end I had a hard time telling apart the three female main characters. I was never quite sure, if it was the journalist, the cop or her sister...
The non-white characters were depicted in a very stereotypical way, almost like caricatures. I am not sure if I am rightfully bothered by that or too fussy?
A little creepy. People coming back to life just like that... Isn‘t there a TV show with the same theme?
Pretty wordy for a graphic novel.
Bizarre plot. It has potential? I was kinda lukewarm about this, but I might have to get the next volume after all.... especially because this volume stops in the middle of things and leaves the plot wide open.... argh.
3.5 ghostly stars.
The non-white characters were depicted in a very stereotypical way, almost like caricatures. I am not sure if I am rightfully bothered by that or too fussy?
A little creepy. People coming back to life just like that... Isn‘t there a TV show with the same theme?
Pretty wordy for a graphic novel.
Bizarre plot. It has potential? I was kinda lukewarm about this, but I might have to get the next volume after all.... especially because this volume stops in the middle of things and leaves the plot wide open.... argh.
3.5 ghostly stars.
February 18, 2017
Also available on the WondrousBooks blog.
Pretty good, in comparison with a lot of the things that I have read recently. Revival is not mind-blowing, but it definitely has a lot of potential.
What is original about Revival is that it's not your classic zombie story. Yes, the dead come back. But they are not this:
Not totally, anyway.
The dead have risen, and they seem to be acting normally. Have they received an extra life? Does everyone get a second chance? Are they okay? They seem to be. Until they don't. Until people start noticing something off about them. Something in their behavior. A strange spark in their eyes...
If you have read Pet Sematary or Handling the Undead , you would not regard this as an original concept. However, the approach is different, especially in the medium of comic books.
I can't deny that I was very curious about the peculiar representation of death and what lies beyond; and also, of how people, the "normal" ones, that is, act when they are put in such a situation. From the ones who try to rationalize it, to the ones who turn it into a sign of providence. So undeniably, Revival has interesting and colorful characters, the development of whom I will enjoy following in the other volumes, as well.
And although we get a lot more of Dana, than of Em, I'm pretty sure that Em is the character to follow in this series. She is, I think, the face of the moral issue in this comic book. I don't necessary say that she is likable, as a person, but she is definitely the more vivid and deep character. And, of course, the crazier one.
What did I not like about Revival, then? As I said, it's not mind-blowing. It works, but it could also not work. There's a story going on, but the first volume is separate incidents that have yet to add up to a story. The protagonist, Dana, is not the most consistent character. She's a good caring mother and a dutiful cop in one scene, a random lady looking for casual sex in a bar at the next. (And honestly, how is that supposed to work in a small town in Wisconsin? Who do you think you will meet there, woman?)
However, I'm more than eager to continue reading and see where this journey goes...
Pretty good, in comparison with a lot of the things that I have read recently. Revival is not mind-blowing, but it definitely has a lot of potential.
What is original about Revival is that it's not your classic zombie story. Yes, the dead come back. But they are not this:
Not totally, anyway.
The dead have risen, and they seem to be acting normally. Have they received an extra life? Does everyone get a second chance? Are they okay? They seem to be. Until they don't. Until people start noticing something off about them. Something in their behavior. A strange spark in their eyes...
If you have read Pet Sematary or Handling the Undead , you would not regard this as an original concept. However, the approach is different, especially in the medium of comic books.
I can't deny that I was very curious about the peculiar representation of death and what lies beyond; and also, of how people, the "normal" ones, that is, act when they are put in such a situation. From the ones who try to rationalize it, to the ones who turn it into a sign of providence. So undeniably, Revival has interesting and colorful characters, the development of whom I will enjoy following in the other volumes, as well.
And although we get a lot more of Dana, than of Em, I'm pretty sure that Em is the character to follow in this series. She is, I think, the face of the moral issue in this comic book. I don't necessary say that she is likable, as a person, but she is definitely the more vivid and deep character. And, of course, the crazier one.
What did I not like about Revival, then? As I said, it's not mind-blowing. It works, but it could also not work. There's a story going on, but the first volume is separate incidents that have yet to add up to a story. The protagonist, Dana, is not the most consistent character. She's a good caring mother and a dutiful cop in one scene, a random lady looking for casual sex in a bar at the next. (And honestly, how is that supposed to work in a small town in Wisconsin? Who do you think you will meet there, woman?)
However, I'm more than eager to continue reading and see where this journey goes...
February 19, 2024
Inexplicably, twenty-three people come back to life in a rural small town in Wisconsin. The “Revivers” are not your typical zombies looking for braaaiins. Instead, they quietly rejoin their former lives, not even realizing or remembering their deaths. Their new existence sets the town on edge, with media scrutiny, government quarantines and religious fanatics taking over the region.
Officer Dana Cypress, a single mother and daughter of the sheriff, is asked to head The Revitalized Citizen Arbitration Team. Dana proves to be a realistic main protagonist as her relationships with her father, younger sister, father of her son, and the townspeople are built layer by layer, and affect the decisions she makes on this new task force. Dana discovers her sister, Martha (Em), is a Reviver when she is stabbed with a scythe and survives. Em does not know who murdered her, but as the story continues, hints are left that point to many different suspects. Dana is paired with a scientist of Muslim heritage (possible romantic interest), and along with the Hmong population in town, is a nice nod to diversity within the story. An unhinged religious demonologist and creepy ghost also play into the mystery- what are their connections to the Revivers?
The artwork in this self-proclaimed rural noir is very well done. All the characters are unique in looks and personalities, with a good artistic representation of the different walks of life within a town’s inhabitants. The variant art used to introduce each of the five chapters was beautiful and gave you a hint of what was to come.
Outstanding first volume in what will most likely be a long-running series, for the characters and plot lines are set up for growth. I will definitely be reading future volumes of this series to see how the idea of loved ones reviving, which could be a dream come true for some, will be a nightmare for many.
This review can be found on my blog: http://graphicnovelty2.com/2016/04/08...
Officer Dana Cypress, a single mother and daughter of the sheriff, is asked to head The Revitalized Citizen Arbitration Team. Dana proves to be a realistic main protagonist as her relationships with her father, younger sister, father of her son, and the townspeople are built layer by layer, and affect the decisions she makes on this new task force. Dana discovers her sister, Martha (Em), is a Reviver when she is stabbed with a scythe and survives. Em does not know who murdered her, but as the story continues, hints are left that point to many different suspects. Dana is paired with a scientist of Muslim heritage (possible romantic interest), and along with the Hmong population in town, is a nice nod to diversity within the story. An unhinged religious demonologist and creepy ghost also play into the mystery- what are their connections to the Revivers?
The artwork in this self-proclaimed rural noir is very well done. All the characters are unique in looks and personalities, with a good artistic representation of the different walks of life within a town’s inhabitants. The variant art used to introduce each of the five chapters was beautiful and gave you a hint of what was to come.
Outstanding first volume in what will most likely be a long-running series, for the characters and plot lines are set up for growth. I will definitely be reading future volumes of this series to see how the idea of loved ones reviving, which could be a dream come true for some, will be a nightmare for many.
This review can be found on my blog: http://graphicnovelty2.com/2016/04/08...
June 1, 2018
Revival Series Ratings:
Revival, Vol. 1: You're Among Friends: ★★★★
Revival, Vol. 2: Live Like You Mean It: Lost Interest in Series
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This year I am doing Graphic Novel December.
My plan is it to read one GN for each day of the month. So 31 in total!
I'll keep a running total in the review of each GN as I read them to help me keep track and for anyone following to see where I am at as well!
GN #1: Wonder Woman, Volume 1: The Lies ★★★★
GN #2: Wonder Woman, Volume 2: Year One ★★★★
GN #3: Wonder Woman, Volume 3: The Truth ★★★
GN #4: Ms. Marvel, Vol. 1: No Normal ★★★★
GN #5: Suicide Squad, Volume 1: The Black Vault ★
GN #6: Suicide Squad, Volume 2: Going Sane ★★★
GN #7: Generation Zero, Volume 1: We Are the Future ★★★★★
GN #8: Revival, Vol. 1: You're Among Friends ★★★★
—
I enjoyed this but I had a couple of issues with some problematic dialogue.
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Revival, Vol. 1: You're Among Friends: ★★★★
Revival, Vol. 2: Live Like You Mean It: Lost Interest in Series
—
This year I am doing Graphic Novel December.
My plan is it to read one GN for each day of the month. So 31 in total!
I'll keep a running total in the review of each GN as I read them to help me keep track and for anyone following to see where I am at as well!
GN #1: Wonder Woman, Volume 1: The Lies ★★★★
GN #2: Wonder Woman, Volume 2: Year One ★★★★
GN #3: Wonder Woman, Volume 3: The Truth ★★★
GN #4: Ms. Marvel, Vol. 1: No Normal ★★★★
GN #5: Suicide Squad, Volume 1: The Black Vault ★
GN #6: Suicide Squad, Volume 2: Going Sane ★★★
GN #7: Generation Zero, Volume 1: We Are the Future ★★★★★
GN #8: Revival, Vol. 1: You're Among Friends ★★★★
—
I enjoyed this but I had a couple of issues with some problematic dialogue.
___
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 768 reviews