‘68: Hallowed Ground is a unique and fitting tribute to the late comic book artist Josh Medors. This is a perfect zombie tale told from two points of view during the Halloween season about sacrifice and survival. I’m sure Medors would be proud.

Official Description from Image:
On February 13, 1968, a passenger train derails in Streiner, Mississippi when a rotting mass of the living dead blocks the tracks. Hundreds are killed and the few desperate survivors are forced to hole up as best they can within the confines of the small rural town. Trapped in a tiny church, two soldiers fresh from the killing fields of Vietnam must do their best to defend a handful of civilians from the oncoming horde of flesh-eating cadavers.

Written by Mark Kidwell and drawn by Medors, Kyle Charles, and Jay Fotos, the issue features a wraparound cover by Medors which is a thing of zombie horror beauty. The story centers around a church being descended on by a horde of dead from a recent passenger train derailment. Told from two points of view, it begins with solider Apollyon defending the first floor with a sheriff, a young boy and a stubborn pastor and his wife. Fittingly Apollyon name is Greek for the devil and is a fitting fighter in the world of the living dead.

The second part is set in the upstairs of the church with sniper Troop and a badly wounded Sarah. The dialogue by Kidwell contrasts the current zombie attack and the fight with Jesus and his disciples. It’s fitting and well thought out which suits this story to a tee. This isn’t a wholly unique zombie tale but in the world of ‘68 and what this book represents for the late Josh Medors raises it to a new level. With the additional work of Charles and Fotos the art is gloriously grisly and a thing in which zombie nightmares are made. Medors wraparound cover is simply a great piece of art.

The stories inside ‘68 are at their base about sacrifice and those who have made it in war. It may be zombies but the war remains the same and the heroes who fight it are portrayed with grit, determination and heart. I only wish ‘68: Hallowed Ground weren’t a one-shot and sad Medors isn’t with us anymore to dazzle zombie fans with his work. Kidwell, Charles and Fotos have produced a fitting tribute to a comic artist’s memory.

3.5/5