“Everything Dead and Dying” Issue 2 Review

From writer Tate Brombal and artist Jacob Phillips, Everything Dead and Dying issue 2 continued to have Jack’s fantasy world crumble around him.

Due to the nature of telling such a story, I think it’s obvious that Everything Dead and Dying won’t have a happy ending. That’s why I was expecting Jack to be desperate as heck trying to maintain his fantasy when a group of human survivors appeared at his doorstep at the end of the first issue, knowing it’s a battle he can’t win. However, Brombal was still able to include a bunch of intense moments in the second chapter, along with a major surprise that’s going to impact Jack moving forward.

Brombal continued to play with the timeline as chapter two jumped between several events. We got a flashback to a cute meeting between Jack and Luke, an argument between the husbands, the moment Luke became a zombie, and the present where Jack’s scrambling to keep Luke and their daughter Daisy away from harm. All of the flashbacks did an amazing job of feeding the present by adding depth to Jack’s motivations. We know he’s being unreasonable. The readers don’t have to agree with him, but we can understand where he’s coming from. Jack’s worked hard to find love and have a family, and he was going to do everything in his power to keep it.

I liked how the flashbacks showcased the contrast between Luke and Jack. Luke’s a very social person, with Jack being a reserved man (which made sense, considering the household he grew up in). Luke calling out Jack during their argument over Jack still shouldering guilt due to being a queer man came across as quite realistic. In a way, Jack hated how open Luke was as a gay man. Jack didn’t want to do it, but he’s got demons from his past that one can’t simply wish away. Even today, a bunch of queer people find it challenging to be their authentic selves, even if they’re in a lot more accepting environment. The pull of falling back into the closet so as not to rock the boat is ever-present for some.

As for the human survivors, they were not happy about Jack living with two zombies. Due to such a story having layers to it, Colette declaring how Jack living with the undead was “unnatural” and how the Lord should burn the house due to such “devilish acts” could relate to real homophobia, especially when contrasted with how the heterosexual survivor couple were being so open with their affection.

Other than that, and it’s likely because I work in cognitive healthcare, Jack talking about how the zombies needed a “routine” while staying at home and how they weren’t an immediate danger to the living made me think of certain conversations I have had with family members trying to come to terms with the cognitive decline of their loved ones.

With the second chapter focusing quite a lot on Jack’s interactions with Luke, I think I should have expected Luke to get shot. It was being telegraphed well. But then again, I wanted Jack to be able to protect his husband for as long as possible.

Jack still has Daisy. So, I’m ready to see what lengths he will go to in order to keep her safe. Also, with the survivors becoming aware of the nearby village, things are going to get bloodier from here on out.

Phillips’s art and colors by Pip Martin continued to work with such a dire story, with the flashbacks being visually brighter and the present featuring a lot more shadows and gore. Aditya Bidikar’s letters played a part in giving Everything Dead and Dying a cinematic feel, complete with sound effects. I really want a live-action adaptation!

What did you think of Everything Dead and Dying issue 2?

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Author: Farid-ul-Haq

Farid has a Double Masters in Psychology and Biotechnology as well as an M.Phil in Molecular Genetics. He is the author of numerous books including Missing in Somerville, and The Game Master of Somerville. He gives us insight into comics, books, TV shows, anime/manga, video games, and movies.

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