Fillbach Brothers | Musings of the Monster Librarian

Graphic Novel Review: Illuminati Transport Volume 1 by the Fillbach Brothers

Illuminati Transport Volume 1 by the Fillbach Brothers

First Comics, Inc., 2017

ISBN-13: 9781618550385

Available: Paperback

Jim Kowalski makes his living as a transporter for Illuminati Trucking, picking up supernatural threats captured by the Department of Paranormal Experts, or DPE. With his dog, Geech, and Crystal Skull of Doom, named Rico, they travel across the United States, picking up the team’s leavings. It’s a thankless job, as all of the credit for the capture of the supernatural threats go to the DPE, and never to the lowly driver. Their most recent job is to pick up a captured shapeshifting demon and return the container to headquarters, but things do not go as planned. The creature escapes, with its own plans of opening the doorway to Hell. Along with zombies, Merlin, the Chupacabra, Bluegrass Johnson, a mysterious knight hell-bent on killing whoever summoned him, and other supernatural wrenches thrown into their path, Jim, Geech, and Rico must navigate the landscape and the paranormal to save the planet.

This is a great story. Jim’s banter with Rico provides the perfect amount of humor. There’s even a bit of romance, with Betty the lab scientist, who worries for their safety out in the field. The book has great illustrations, and the artwork is in black and white. The creature designs are stellar.

The Fillbach brothers tell an awesome story. Pick this up if you enjoy a Teen+ rated read full of horror and humor. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker

Graphic Novel Review: Frickin’ Butt-Kickin’ Zombie Ants, Volume 1, Number 1 by Steve Stern, illustrated by the Fillbach Brothers

Frickin’ Butt-kickin’ Zombie Ants Volume 1, Number 1 by Steve Stern, illustrated by the Fillbach Brothers

First Comics, Inc., 2011

ISBN-13: 9781618550026

Available: Paperback

The story begins with a volcano unearthing four perfectly preserved fossilized zombie ants from prehistoric times, who end up washed ashore in the middle of a zombie infestation. However, this isn’t any normal infestation. The zombie population is divided into “good” and “bad”. The latter consume brains, while the former prefers a concoction called “brainus artificialis”, a food source created by fellow zombie, Professor Haversham. The zombie ants meet two…fairly intelligent zombies named Lucinda and Buddy, who introduce the ants to the professor. The trio get the ants situated in their new home, but quickly discover that they must protect their new world from giant decapitating flies, bad zombies, and humans. How will the good zombies and the frickin’ butt-kickin’ zombie ants survive?

This book has so many good elements. It’s fast-paced, humorous, and all-ages friendly. Some of the references might not hit the mark with people unfamiliar with the zombie subgenre. For instance, there are three mines throughout that have the name of major horror figures that were important to the subgenre that readers new to it might not know. It might open the door for them, though. The artwork is great, in simple black and white. I love the design for the zombie ants in particular. I recommend Frickin’ Butt-kickin’ Zombie Ants for anyone looking for some humor in their zombie comics. Recommended.

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker