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