Cold Dead War #3
Heavy Metal Comics 2021
Written by George C Romero
Illustrated by German Ponce
Coloured by Protobunker
Lettered by Gabriel Rearte
Death has no dominion over the zombie pilot squad known as The Pacific Pearl, fighting America's enemies since World War 2. The team's latest mission: infiltrate and destroy a Nazi stronghold before their insane experiment to create zombies for the new Fourth Reich is completed. These are the secret battles left out of the history books and official military records. This is the Cold Dead War.
I have to say that this has such a unique and interesting viewpoint to it that makes the originality and uniqueness of the story shine bright. It really makes a difference to see something akin to the next evolution in the zombie genre coming to us from a Romero. This creates excitement in and of itself and it’ll be interesting to see if this squad and their loyalty to their Captain is an anomaly or if it’s something that can be replicated elsewhere. I am not sure if it can be but lord knows the Reich is trying its damnedest to do it, though without any success whatsoever. This is what happens when you try to play god without having any kind of connection to your creation other than seeing it as a blunt instrument. Which by the way is how the government sees this team.
I am a huge fan of the way that this is being told. The story & plot development that we see through how the sequence of events unfold as well as how the reader learns information is presented exceptionally well. The character development we see is utterly phenomenally brilliant to witness through the dialogue, character interaction and how they act and react to the situations and circumstances that they encounter. The pacing is superb and as it takes us through the pages revealing more and more of the story and taking us deeper and deeper into this South American paradise infested with monstrous bugs.
The way that we see this being structured and how the layers within the story continue to emerge, grow, strengthen and evolve with each new encounter. Some of these are utilised to work with the main arc and others add this depth and complexity to the story that is just beautifully rendered. How we see everything working together to create the story’s ebb & flow as well as how it moves the story forward is achieved exceedingly well.
I’m a big fan of German’s work and what we see here is utterly phenomenal. The linework is incredible and how we see the varying weights and techniques being utilised to create this level and quality of detail work that we see is magnificent. That we see such attention paid to the backgrounds as well so that they enhance the moments, expand the characterisation and bring us such great depth perception, sense of scale and the overall sense of size and scope to the story. The utilisation of the page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels show a masterful eye for storytelling. The creativity and imagination that we see is uber impressive in just the way we see the zombies to the treasure trove and scientific equipment that the Nazi’s are utilising. The colour work is gorgeous. How we see the various hues and tones within the colours are being utilised to create the shading, highlights and shadow work is done exceptionally well.
I love this, this is a next generation story in the evolution of zombies and I have to say that it would make a great film that’s for darn sure. Meanwhile George and company have managed to create something incredibly engaging and infinitely interesting and stunningly illustrated that takes you on a hunt of monumental proportions.
About the Creator
Steven Leitman
Just me talking about the comics I enjoy reading, ones that you might not know exist and spotlighting the indie creators that excite me.
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Silver Screen Magic with Mae West
American actress and singer Mae West became a popular film actress during the Great Depression. She started entertaining in vaudeville, then performed on Broadway, and finally went to Hollywood. She signed up with Paramount Pictures and made her debut in the 1932 film “Night After Night.” She also starred in musicals, comedies, and crime dramas. The American Film Institute named her one of the best classic Hollywood actresses.
By Rasma Raisters6 days ago in Geeks
Julian Barnes Says Goodbye to the Novel: A Literary Icon Reflects on a Storied Career
In the world of contemporary literature, few authors have commanded as much respect and admiration as Julian Barnes. Known for his incisive wit, keen psychological insights, and elegant prose, Barnes has spent decades shaping modern fiction, producing works that blend philosophical inquiry with human storytelling. Now, the celebrated novelist has announced that he is saying goodbye to the novel, signaling the end of an era for readers who have long followed his literary journey. A Career Defined by Curiosity and Elegance Julian Barnes, born in Leicester in 1946, has been one of Britain’s most distinguished literary figures since the 1980s. Over his career, he has authored a remarkable array of novels, essays, and short stories, earning accolades including the prestigious Man Booker Prize for his 2011 novel The Sense of an Ending. His works frequently explore themes of memory, love, mortality, and the elusive nature of truth, often inviting readers to examine the complex moral and emotional layers of human experience. Barnes’ decision to step away from the novel comes as both a surprise and an inevitability for many of his devoted readers. In interviews discussing his forthcoming farewell, he emphasized that the decision was not born from fatigue, but from a desire to conclude his career on his own terms, rather than letting external pressures dictate his creative output. “I feel I have said what I wanted to say in fiction,” Barnes explained. “The novel has been my lifelong companion, but it is time to part ways with it gracefully, rather than cling to it.” The End of an Era Barnes’ departure from the novel is significant not only for its timing but also for what it represents in the literary landscape. Over the past four decades, Barnes has been part of a cohort of writers who elevated modern British literature, combining literary sophistication with widespread accessibility. His ability to blend narrative innovation with philosophical depth has influenced a generation of authors, from novelists exploring the intricacies of memory to those experimenting with metafiction and historical inquiry. Works like Flaubert’s Parrot and Arthur & George exemplify Barnes’ talent for merging intellectual curiosity with human emotion. In Flaubert’s Parrot, he dissected the life of the French novelist Gustave Flaubert, blending biography, literary criticism, and narrative playfulness in a way that challenged conventional storytelling. Arthur & George, meanwhile, retold the story of a real-life legal case in Edwardian England, illuminating themes of justice, identity, and the human desire for truth. Such novels have left an indelible mark on literary studies and popular reading alike. A Reflection on Literary Form Barnes’ farewell also prompts reflection on the state of the novel itself. In recent years, traditional literary forms have faced pressure from emerging technologies, the rise of digital media, and shifting reading habits. Barnes’ choice to retire from the novel underscores a sense that the literary form is evolving, and that authors must navigate these changes while remaining true to their artistic vision. Critics suggest that Barnes’ departure may inspire readers and writers alike to reassess what the novel can achieve in a rapidly changing cultural landscape. His works have demonstrated that fiction can simultaneously entertain, educate, and provoke deep contemplation—a standard that future authors may strive to uphold. Legacy Beyond the Page Although Barnes is stepping away from the novel, his influence will persist across literary circles and classrooms worldwide. His essays, critical writings, and memoirs offer further insight into his philosophical and aesthetic approach, while his novels will continue to be studied, enjoyed, and debated for generations. Students of literature often cite his deft handling of narrative perspective, temporal shifts, and moral ambiguity as exemplary, showcasing the enduring power of the written word to capture the complexities of life. Barnes’ announcement also raises questions about what comes next for an author who has spent his entire adult life shaping fictional worlds. While he may no longer write novels, he has hinted at the possibility of exploring essays and non-fiction, channels through which he can continue to engage with ideas, culture, and history. A Farewell to Fiction, Not to Thought Julian Barnes’ goodbye to the novel is bittersweet for readers, critics, and literary enthusiasts alike. It marks the close of a chapter not just in his career but in contemporary literature, reminding the world of the profound impact one writer can have over decades of dedicated craft. Yet even as he steps away from the novel, Barnes’ commitment to inquiry, reflection, and storytelling will continue to resonate. “Books have given me a lifetime of joy,” Barnes said. “I hope they have done the same for my readers. Now it is time to let the novel rest, while the conversation it has inspired continues.” In bidding farewell to the novel, Julian Barnes leaves a legacy defined by intellectual rigor, emotional depth, and narrative brilliance. His works will remain essential reading for anyone who seeks to understand the human condition through the lens of literature. And while the novel may no longer see new works from him, the world of fiction will forever bear the imprint of his extraordinary voice.
By Fiaz Ahmed Brohi6 days ago in Geeks
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