Created by Brandon Starocci, co-written by him and Alan Dingfelder, with art by Dimitris Nastos, Avalon is a zombie comic that currently has three issues out, and which states to 'bring originality and hold some traditional values'. I've checked out the first two issues to see if this is worth reading or not.
Each issue is made up of twenty seven pages, and immediately impressed with the great artwork. The panels are large and chunky, with characters with a slightly exaggerated style, but mainly look realistic, it brought to mind the artstyle from The Walking Dead comics. I assumed first issue would be setting everything up and I was correct. Much of the first issue takes place at a diner where a socially anxious teen, Mason is having a birthday meal with his family. From conversations and glimpses of people it becomes clear there is a zombie outbreak bubbling under the surface, something which is established with the final section of the comic, in which two policemen discover horror within the apartment of an elderly woman who hadn't been seen for a few days. While the comic is in black and white, this worked very well with how light and shadow are used, especially with the thrilling end to this issue. The decision to have blood still showing as red on the black and white images really made for a striking look.
'Blind Side' is the issue two name and propels events right on into delicious zombie outbreak. There is a duel storyline taking place here, with the two cops at the apartment building, and Mason and his family finding the diner they are at coming under attack. On the surface, admittedly only two issues deep, this seemed like a typical outbreak like situation, but the lovely art style, and the dynamic panels brought the story to life. Again, having blood be the only colour in this world gave a good stylistic look. From my time with the first two issues, Avalon seems like it is going to provide the key things that fans of zombies are after, characters who have the potential to become layered, and plenty of undead violence and bloodshed.
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