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A review by stephen_arvidson
28 Days Later: The Aftermath by Steve Niles
3.0
Like most of the readers of this graphic novel, I purchased this thin tome as an admirer of the film franchise. 18 Bucks Later...I found myself tottering on the proverbial fence, exclaiming "Ghaaagh!"
Scripted by horror comic maestro Steve Niles and brought to life by three talented illustrators, 28 Days Later: The Aftermath is a collection of four short stories centered around the initial outbreak from the first film. Stage 1: Development reveals the origins of the Rage Virus in which two unhinged scientists, Clive and Warren, attempt to create an anti-aggression inhibitor via experimentation on the criminally insane. But when that proves problematic, they switch to using chimps as test subjects. In Stage 2: Outbreak, a British family is picnicking in a park near Cambridge University when an escaped monkey attacks and infects the youngest son, Liam. While en route to the hospital, grim mayhem ensues. Stage 3: Decimation follows a lone survivor, Hugh Baker, as he exterminates the infected amidst a now devastated London. However, when some bloke in a hockey mask takes potshots at Baker immediately after saving him from a swarm of zombies, Baker is determined to reclaim his turf by any means necessary. Lastly, Stage 4: Quarantinesees the survivors of the three previous stories confined to an armed camp. Unsure of the soldiers' motivations, whether they're protecting the civilians or preserving them for further experimentation, the survivors vilify them and stage a poorly botched escape attempt.
The Pros: This book's primary saving grace is its impeccable artwork, which runs the gamut from efficacious to strikingly superb. The first and final stories aptly blend masses of dark shadows with glimpses of light to create a moody effect. Even better is the remarkable artwork found in the third story, comprising a ready-mix of scratchy, agitated line-work with a subdued wash. There's plenty of gore, the pacing is solid (though the stories themselves felt rushed), and generally-speaking, the book contributes to the undeveloped 28...Later mythos. What's more compelling is the juxtaposition of mankind's propensity for violence versus the insatiable blood-lust of rage-filled zombies. The uninfected humans behaved as violently as the infected, if not more so—and that's even before the rules of society are quashed by the chaos of the outbreak. Deplorable human nature is on full display, both before and after society has crumbled; the only difference is that in the wake of devastation, humans are better able to act out their primal aggression and twisted desires, thus attacking and ultimately destroying one other.
The Cons: "The Aftermath" subtitle is rather misleading, since the stories here occur either just prior to or concurrent to the events of the first film. Another troubling aspect of the story is that Niles never really presents an opening to care about any of the characters. A gross lack of character development makes the reader feel little to no sympathy for them or their fates. Ambiguous motivations are another pitfall, and it seems that Niles relies too much on the audience to just accept what the characters are doing without any such rationale. For instance, Clive's sudden suicide attempt seems a bit heavy-handed and a naked attempt to end the chapter on a dire note. Each of the four stories would've benefited from even a few extra pages of solid characterization.
While both riveting and flawed, this book will cater to lovers of blood-spewing zombies or any diehard franchise fans wishing to learn more about the Rage Virus. In one sense, this feels like an obvious endeavor to capitalize on a successful franchise and provide promotional filler for the sequel, as opposed to simply making an outstanding graphic novel. Even so, the artwork is damned impressive...if only it had a better batch of stories and characters to go with it.
Scripted by horror comic maestro Steve Niles and brought to life by three talented illustrators, 28 Days Later: The Aftermath is a collection of four short stories centered around the initial outbreak from the first film. Stage 1: Development reveals the origins of the Rage Virus in which two unhinged scientists, Clive and Warren, attempt to create an anti-aggression inhibitor via experimentation on the criminally insane. But when that proves problematic, they switch to using chimps as test subjects. In Stage 2: Outbreak, a British family is picnicking in a park near Cambridge University when an escaped monkey attacks and infects the youngest son, Liam. While en route to the hospital, grim mayhem ensues. Stage 3: Decimation follows a lone survivor, Hugh Baker, as he exterminates the infected amidst a now devastated London. However, when some bloke in a hockey mask takes potshots at Baker immediately after saving him from a swarm of zombies, Baker is determined to reclaim his turf by any means necessary. Lastly, Stage 4: Quarantinesees the survivors of the three previous stories confined to an armed camp. Unsure of the soldiers' motivations, whether they're protecting the civilians or preserving them for further experimentation, the survivors vilify them and stage a poorly botched escape attempt.
The Pros: This book's primary saving grace is its impeccable artwork, which runs the gamut from efficacious to strikingly superb. The first and final stories aptly blend masses of dark shadows with glimpses of light to create a moody effect. Even better is the remarkable artwork found in the third story, comprising a ready-mix of scratchy, agitated line-work with a subdued wash. There's plenty of gore, the pacing is solid (though the stories themselves felt rushed), and generally-speaking, the book contributes to the undeveloped 28...Later mythos. What's more compelling is the juxtaposition of mankind's propensity for violence versus the insatiable blood-lust of rage-filled zombies. The uninfected humans behaved as violently as the infected, if not more so—and that's even before the rules of society are quashed by the chaos of the outbreak. Deplorable human nature is on full display, both before and after society has crumbled; the only difference is that in the wake of devastation, humans are better able to act out their primal aggression and twisted desires, thus attacking and ultimately destroying one other.
The Cons: "The Aftermath" subtitle is rather misleading, since the stories here occur either just prior to or concurrent to the events of the first film. Another troubling aspect of the story is that Niles never really presents an opening to care about any of the characters. A gross lack of character development makes the reader feel little to no sympathy for them or their fates. Ambiguous motivations are another pitfall, and it seems that Niles relies too much on the audience to just accept what the characters are doing without any such rationale. For instance, Clive's sudden suicide attempt seems a bit heavy-handed and a naked attempt to end the chapter on a dire note. Each of the four stories would've benefited from even a few extra pages of solid characterization.
While both riveting and flawed, this book will cater to lovers of blood-spewing zombies or any diehard franchise fans wishing to learn more about the Rage Virus. In one sense, this feels like an obvious endeavor to capitalize on a successful franchise and provide promotional filler for the sequel, as opposed to simply making an outstanding graphic novel. Even so, the artwork is damned impressive...if only it had a better batch of stories and characters to go with it.