Double Take Universe has published the story "Honor" in comic form. It depicts the story of the law enforcement in the universe of the original movie "Night of the Living Dead." You may remember the response, they show up at the house ... shoot someone important, start a fire (it may have already been going), and say one of my favorite lines in film history "yeah, they're all messed up". (Really you think!? That's what you're telling the public about the unfolding events? *sigh*)
Moving on. I'm not here to tell you the plot of the movie.
"Honor" entertains the idea as to what police did up until the outbreak. Note: there can be some more mature frames. Cover art grabs the attention. Very well done, but don't exactly represent the story itself. Episode One, for example, shows a flying American flag with a drawing of a female police officer pointing a handgun towards something we can't see. She's drawn with a good level of artistic liberty. Its to grab your attention, I'm letting it be, accepting the decisions as a trope of the comic industry regarding the female form and moving on.
The story starts mundane, puts a chief on speed enforcement - he even lies to the speeder about going 3 MPH more than they were clocked for. A beat of humor. The chief and his female partner have an on-going discussion each talking passing the time. Basically filling the dead space. The officer in her blues tells of a memory of her grandfather - backstory to (dare I say it) "flesh" out the characters.
I think this is the point though. Movies get right to the action - the mundane parts are cut out. No one says "hello" or "goodbye" for a reason. "Honor" basically says that they're more to life than the exciting bits. That the intense parts ... the life changing chunks ... take up only a short period of time. I appreciate this. I think Einstein called it relativity - the more boring things feel like they take longer? There's truth in the saying that time flies. Any time that is drawn out in film or this provides a sense of suspense.
The art adds to the mundanity. It's nothing special but clear, concise, and easy on the eyes - reminiscent of old noir detective movies. A wise decision really. It adds to the story, and really, manipulates my expectations of what I'm reading. Colors are straight forward lacking unnecessary filters to add excitement. Just. Like. Life. Right?
The antagonists are depicted the same bumbling, slow, and dang near stupid [DELETED NOUN] as they were in the movie - providing the much needed beat of humor. Episode 2 even shows one dropping an air conditioner on itself. (No, the cops don't have bright green shotguns.)
I've only been able to check out Episode 1 and 2 so far. They say the next drops in February. Issue's can be purchased online at Barnes and Noble. You'll see the ads when you read it online - trust me. You should be able to find the story among the other books they've published at Doubletakeuniverse.com.
In respect to the great Romero, we're not using the zed word.
Stay safe out there.
