Graphic Novel: NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD by Stephen A. Dymarcik II

There will be no end to the raping of George A. Romero’s classic film Night of the Living Dead (1968).  Because of a snafu with the copyright the film entered into public domain and every once in a while someone will come up with a new way to earn money from Romero and company’s hard work.  This is the case with the newest graphic novel based on Romero’s film simply titled Night of the Living Dead by Stephen A. Dymarcik II from Qualmdown Comics.  I can’t say that I’ve heard of either Qualmdown Comics or Dymarcik but they do a great job of ripping off the ’68 Romero film. 

The book uses whole stills from the film as a jumping off mark for the illustrations which mimic the artistry of rotoscoped films.  It’s like a shot-for-shot representation of the film and where there are a couple of deviations from the film they are minor and incidental (but it gives the impression that some thought went into the book although I doubt there really ever was).

Considering that both original creators of the film John Russo and Romero have sanctioned their own officially licensed version of the film (and many sequels) there really was no need for another one especially one that simply regurgitates the screen shots from the film.

I will say there is only one true highlight of the book which is the sound FX which Dymarcik brings to life on the page like those seen in the old ‘60s Batman television series.  It’s cheesy but then again so is this book.  There is no real reason to check out this book unless you’re curious or just a die-hard Romero fan like me (and you don’t mind wasting a fee hard earned bucks).