28 Days Later #7
Written by Michael Alan Nelson
Art by Declan Shalvey
Colors by Nick Filardi
Letters by Ed Dukeshire
BOOM! Studios
Release date: February 24, 2010

28 Days Later is one of the movies responsible for the sudden re-emergence of the horror film, so I’m surprised that that it took BOOM! Studios so long to come out with a comic book series set in post-apocalyptic Britain, where a virus that creates an irrational homicidal rage in those who come into contact with the blood of infected has shattered civilization. In 28 Days Later #7 we find the American Clint, his hired guide Serena, and their injured friend Derrick way-laid by an armed group of fellow survivors. Clint is desperate to find medicine for Derrick but the band, led by a frumpy middle-aged woman named Kate, are too concerned with their own survival to assist strangers. Kate informs them that there is a pharmacy in the village near their encampment, and they can find the medicine they need there. Unfortunately, Kate has ulterior motives for sending them into the village.

Many would be surprised to pick up a copy of 28 Days Later and find that there isn’t a single appearance by the Infected, but that’s one of the strengths of the comic. Writer Michael Alan Nelson chooses to use conflict and tension between the surviving humans as the major story driver, teasing us with the possibility of the Infected. Like a good magician, you never use your best trick right away.

Warhammer: Condemned By Fire #1
Written by Dan Abnett and Ian Edginton
Art by Rahsan Ekedal
Colors by Fellipe Martins
Letters by Ed Dukeshire
Boom! Studios
Covers by Joe Abraham, Jaime Jones
Cover price: $3.99; Available now

First things first, if you’re a computer gamer waiting for the Warhammer Fantasy MMO, you need to go out and find a copy of this book right now, because each copy comes with the chance to get into the Beta for Age of Reckoning, but if you’ve been looking forward to it, you probably have a couple copies already. And if you’re not into the whole gaming thing, you should still pick this issue up, as a good horror tale, in the vein of a good Conan story.

BOOM! Studios has done a good job with the Warhammer license so far, both on the 40k side, and the Fantasy side, which is where we find ourselves for this series. The series follows one of the Witch Hunters of the Empire (this will make sense to fans of the Warhammer universe) as he tracks a heretic across a harsh landscape. He eventually tracks him to a forsaken village that carries a horrible secret. Inside the village, the story takes a turn towards the horrific, ending with the Witch Hunter moving on to track down the source of the horror.

2 Guns TPB
Written by Steven Grant
Art by Mat Santolouco
Colors by Popart Studios, Amanda Grazini
Letters by Ed Dukeshire, Marshall Dillon, Terri Delgado
Credit Page Art by Rafael Albuquerque
Cover by Kristian Donaldson
BOOM! Studios
Cover price: $14.99; Available now

I have to admit to a bit of a bias on this, as we here from Geeks of Doom (me specifically) are quoted on the back of the collection for 2 Guns, and it’s the first time that’s ever happened to me, so I would give anything a good review, so long as they quoted me on the book because I am a shallow, shallow man. So, my review of the book can be summed up by that quote shining on the back of the book, “…fun and exciting …This is a great crime story that is worth checking out.” See, my job is done right there. But seriously, I would recommend this book to fans of crime or heist stories or those just looking for a story outside of the superhero mainstream.