Dead Eyes Open

(Slave Labor, 2005-2006)
™ and ©2005 Matthew Shepherd and Roy Boney Jr.

Before you avert your eyes from yet another walking-dead comic with another punny title, give this piece (of dead flesh) a chance. Admittedly, the art by Roy Boney Jr. isn’t the prettiest (in fact, it’s the weakest element of this title) but it’s not distracting.

Fortunately, the writing by Matthew Shepherd takes a smattering of clichés and stereotypical characterizations and makes them entertaining—and, on some levels, creative.

As the story starts, the reader learns that Dr. John Requin, a psychiatrist (or psychologist; it’s not clear) is dead. He’s dead and not loving it, though so far he’s been successful at keeping his clients literally in the dark about it. Living in a state of perpetual decay, despite attempts to keep his environment chilled, is having a negative effect on his relationship with both his wife and daughter (um… ew?), and his own state of mind isn’t the happiest ever.

Shepherd has fun with the dialogue and plot, and it makes this issue a decent one—with even better potential.

— Ray Sidman

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