Charlie Adlard is a powerhouse in the comic art world, best known for his defining contributions to The Walking Dead. His work has shaped a generation’s view on storytelling within comics. Now, he’s taking us back into an intriguing apocalypse with a fresh perspective through a new series from Image Comics.
We’re excited to give you an exclusive first look at Adlard’s stealth variant cover for the debut issue of Everything Dead & Dying, which is set to hit the shelves this September. Crafted by the talented Tate Brombal and illustrated by Jacob Phillips, this five-issue miniseries centers on Jack Chandler—a man navigating life as the last survivor of his rural farming community amidst a zombie apocalypse.
What sets this story apart? Instead of battling the undead, Jack chooses to coexist with them. Tragically, this includes his husband and their adopted daughter. The conflict intensifies when a group of outsiders discovers his hidden refuge, and Jack must protect the remnants of his pre-apocalypse life at all costs. You can see this tension reflected beautifully in Adlard’s cover for Everything Dead & Dying #1 below!
“This is a zombie story that I had never seen done before,” Brombal shared with Movies & TV. “What if a lone man continued to live alongside his undead, tended to them, kept them fed, and loved them like they were still alive… only for the cast of The Walking Dead to stroll into town and put that man’s entire world at risk?” The narrative delves deep into themes of grief, morality, and the essence of life and death in a crumbled world.
Jacob Phillips also reflected on the significance of Adlard’s involvement: “I remember getting Charlie to do a sketch of me as a zombie around 20 years ago at a convention. It felt only right that we had Charlie ‘King of the Undead’ Adlard do a cover for this book. And I think we can agree, he absolutely nailed it.”
Brombal concluded, “The Walking Dead reshaped zombie fiction for the modern era, and its influence is felt throughout Everything Dead & Dying. Getting this blessing and passing of the torch from Charlie Adlard himself is incredible—a true highlight of my career.”
Everything Dead & Dying #1 will be released on September 3. Are you ready to dive into this gripping new take on the zombie genre?
What makes Everything Dead & Dying different from other zombie comics? This series focuses on emotional connections to undead characters, exploring unique survival stories rather than typical zombie fighting.
Who are the key creators behind Everything Dead & Dying? This miniseries is written by Tate Brombal and illustrated by Jacob Phillips, with cover art by Charlie Adlard, famed for his work on The Walking Dead.
When can readers expect the first issue to be available? Everything Dead & Dying #1 is hitting shelves on September 3.
Why did the creators choose a different approach to the zombie genre? Brombal aims to explore themes of love and loss alongside the undead, offering a fresh perspective that transcends typical action plots.
If you’re eager to explore more about this unique series and others like it, keep delving into related content. Check out more updates from industry insiders at Moyens I/O.