Empire of the Dead #1 (Comics) Preview

It’s zombies versus vampires in a battle for New York City, but where does that leave the living? George A. Romero takes readers to Empire of the Dead in 2014.

Welcome to New York City years after a horrifying plague has swept the nation. The Big Apple is a quarantine zone – but that doesn’t guarantee safety inside! Flesh-eating zombies roam within the remains of Manhattan – and they are not alone. Vampires lurk in the shadows as well, feasting on the living and the undead alike – and no one is safe!

“Like a surgeon, George Romero is once again using the horror genre as a scalpel, cutting through the surface of everyday life to expose society’s undercurrents,” said editor Bill Rosemann. “One could say that the vampires are the Haves and the zombies are the Have-Nots. And us poor humans? We’re the ones getting caught in the crossfire of their escalating war. It’s a violent clash indeed, and Alex Maleev is bringing this undead battle to horrifying – but beautiful – life!”

The ideas of zombies and vampires ‘warring’ is definitely a new one. I can’t picture creatures as powerful as vamps (who have minds in their noggins mind you) having much of a challenge with the shambling dead. But then again, I’d think that the armies of the world wouldn’t have a tough time with them either and that scenario’s been played out about a million times in pop culture, usually with the zeds coming out on top.

It should be very interesting to see how the blood-suckers contend with the flesh-eaters- one thing’s for sure, it’s probably going to be messy. Empire of the Dead #1 hits stands this January from Marvel Comics and the team of George A. Romero and Alex Maleev.