Brava, 2010
ISBN: 0758246978
Available: New, used and multi-format digital

Someone must have told these women that zombies can’t be romance heroes because they pulled out all the stops to prove that theory wrong. Half Past Dead is a pair of novellas. The first is The Undying Heart by Zoe Archer, a historical paranormal tale of Cassandra Fielding and Samuel Reed. Cassandra is a Blade of the Rose, a member of a mysterious guardian sect trying desperately to prevent magic from being used for nefarious purposes. Samuel is a victim of an evil man, killed on the battlefield by his commander only to be raised and used as tool to tear through enemies. Together they must recover the magical artifact that animates Samuel, even if it costs him his life. Simon Says by Bianca D’Arc is a modern tale pitting a Special Forces soldier with a tragic past against mutated undead in order to save the woman he left behind years ago, before his…accident.

Both are stellar tales, solid, enjoyable love stories, though Simon Says holds closer to the traditional zombie story format. The real winners in this book are readers who get strong, fascinating leads, blistering hot love scenes and, of course, (non-rotting) zombies.

Contains: explicit sex scenes

Pocket, 2010
ISBN: 1439167656
Available: New, used & wide-release digital

Anya is an arson investigator in Detroit who has just discovered a ritual symbol and a countdown on the floor of a burned warehouse. She’s also a Lantern, charged with elemental fire magic, and a devourer of wandering spirits (a gift she reluctantly puts to use in her off time work as a ghost hunter). Her private and professional lives are about to collide when she finds out her firebug might be a Lantern too.

Embers is different in a number of ways. Detroit and its decay play a very important role in the tale. Anya herself isn’t just a private detective, she has an official role in the law enforcement of the city. Also, the villain in this book is one of the most human, sympathetic bad guys to be found in urban fantasy. Embers also simultaneously deals with traditional occult such as demons, ghosts, paganism, as well as more exotic, fantasy occult such as Lanterns, elementals, and Ishtar. Plus, it has one of the cutest, best sidekicks ever, a salamander (fire elemental) named Sparky. Recommended as part of paranormal romance and urban fantasy collections, public and private.

Contains: sex, Language, violence

Viz Media, 2007
ISBN: 1421511215
Available: New & Used

Not that the concept isn’t weird enough- a trio of people chasing after the mythical (and dangerous) Rings of the Dead, which when put together make powered life force that can make a person immortal- but in this volume things get really strange. Gamma (S-class criminal and chainsaw sword wielder), Elwood (former thief and knife thrower on a mission to bring his older sister back from the dead), and Smith (mysterious, gun slinging, suit wearing master fighter) face down the weirdest troupe of circus performers ever, over the body of a boy playing host to one of the evil rings. Foes in this action-packed manga include an undead box, a deadly assassin and his “human target” sisters and a magician who can bend space and time.

Zombie Powder #3 continues to deliver the same strong characterization and Western theme. It doles out the tidbits of mystery at a pace perfect to keep readers involved. As a plus, this volume contains a Kubo “bonus short” for diehard fans. Recommended for manga collections. When combined with the bonus shorts, these books give a fine idea of the story spectrum available in manga. Grades 9-12.

Contains: cartoon-like violence, implied sexual threats and off-color relationships

Viz Media/Shonen Jump, 2006
ISBN: 1421501538
Available: New

Gamma is an S-Class criminal on the hunt for the legendary 12 Rings of the Dead, that when put together will make Zombie Powder, a substance made of pure life force which can bring the dead to life or give the living immortality. This volume sets Gamma’s sidekicks, Elwood and Smith, aside, as Gamma gets caught up in the drama of the little town where they’ve arrived. It’s here that he meets Wolfina, a young reporter/vigilante who guards not just the town, particularly the local hospital besieged with attacks from ring hunters, but her comatose brother, the victim of unprotected contact with one of the legendary rings.

Wolfina is yet another great character, who brings to the table new, disturbing information about the risks of ring hunting. The same pattern emerges, with equal parts sketchy fight scenes and plot-moving scenes. The confusing nature of the fight scenes could very well be implied heavy movement, but since they are drawn using still ink rather than animated form, it comes off poorly. It’s not difficult at the “pause” scenes to figure out what has happened, but having to stop to do so in the first place will turn off some readers. The plot is quite enjoyable, with a real Western flavor set into a background where feudal Japan has been replaced by all the wild gang types that one would expect from a manga. Recommended as part of public collections including manga, especially for its cleaner nature. Grades 9-12 or up.

Contains: Implied rape, torture and other criminal activity, cartoon gore

Viz Media/Shonen Jump, 2006
ISBN: 978-1421501529
Available: New

Kubo’s first graphic novel, Zombie Powder, is a Western-flavored tale starring Gamma, a chainsaw sword wielding ultra-criminal (as the good guy), super shooter, suit wearer C.T. Smith, and Elwood, a kid who wants to bring his older sister back from the dead. The trio faces down the gangs who run the world in a quest to gather the 12 Rings of the Dead, which are said to create zombie powder, concentrated life force which can return the dead to life or make the living immortal.

What Zombie Powder has going for it are action and great characters. Gamma is a great “Robin Hood” type character, Smith is amusing and intimidating, and Elwood gives the story soul, with all three hitting perfect notes when it comes to compelling leads. The action is often hard to follow, and much of the story devolves into action in a “Matrix” style of storytelling, with ten pages of plot, then ten more of fighting. But Zombie Powder is a fun, wild ride through ink. Recommended for public collections that include manga or as a starter for those that don’t. Grades 9-12 or up.

Contains: Implied rape, torture and other criminal activity, implied gore