Between The Panels: FVZA: Federal Vampire And Zombie Agency #1 Review

FVZA: Federal Vampire and Zombie Agency #1
Writer: David Hine
Illustrator: Roy Allan Martinez
Painted By: Kinsun Loh and Jerry Choo


The supernatural fad is finally hitting comics full force with indy comics publisher Radical Comics releasing FVZA: Federal Vampire and Zombie Agency. A mix mash of tv and movie’s latest craze for vampires and the video game industry’s zombie love; as a reader you would expect something along the lines of halfway awesome. Instead we are given something more along the lines of mediocrity covered in tin foil and glitter.


So what exactly is FVZA? Taking a bite out of alternate universe cliches, this miniseries starts us off in a world like our own but with one exception: Vampires and Zombies exist. There are two things that make a, what would be predictable story entirely different and unique. The first is integrating Zombies and Vampires into U.S. history and make it seem plausible. Key pages to look out for is the history regarding World War II. The other idea is how they treat zombies and vampires. Unlike the way entertainment is currently depicting vampires as a glorified sex hungry branch on humanity’s evolutionary tree, FVZA treats vampirism and zombieism as viruses. Zombieism is no stranger to the idea of being spread through virus as the video game industry has added to the zombie mythos as being spread as a virus via games like Resident Evil and Left4Dead. The shift in idea of both supernatural mythos being viruses adds a sense underlining dread for those at risk and infected.


Not much is given in regards to the characters. You are introduced to Landra the female protagonist who is given the task of eliminating the vampire and zombie threats. Sadly she is every generic female heroine from every movie, tv show, video game, and 90’s comic that you’ve seen. Boobs, blades, and guns can only go so far but not far enough to add substance.

One thing is for damn sure. The art on this book is amazing. Roy Allan Martinez’ pencils still have a comic book feel and not completely realistic weight to them. On top of that the painting team of Kinsun Loh and Jerry Choo turn Martinez’ pencils into an atmosphere of grit. Grim, gritty, but not dull the combined art team manages to keep the comic book vibe. Most of the time when comics have a near photorealistic airbrush or painted look it feels that you are looking at a series of paintings and not a story (Looking at you Ariel Olevetti). Mainly this attributes to the clashing of comic book lettering and the colored art.


Issue one does not start off with a bang. Instead of going in guns blazing David Hine trades in a stick of dynamite for a snail. The issue is all slow build up and hopefully with the following two issues in the three part miniseries picks up the pace. If you are into the supernatural craze going on definitely pick this up. Zombie fans may be disappointed as the monster crossover makes them take a back seat to vampires. Check out the viral marketing campaign videos found on youtube below!