BLEEDING HEARTS #1 / Script by DENIZ CAMP / Art by STIPAN MORIAN / Colors by MATT HOLLINGSWORTH / Letters by HASSAN OTSMANE-ELHAOU / Published by VERTIGO COMICS

Nobody remembers how the zombie apocalypse started. At least, none of the zombies do. They don’t have memory of anything before joining the ranks of the undead.

Despite this, the zombies have developed something of a culture. At the very least, there is a shared language and a society. Unfortunately for zombie performance artist Poke (short for Mouse-Pokes-Golf-Ball-Through-Hole-In-Head) he’s developed problems beyond most zombies not getting his experimental humor.

His heart just started beating again and he knows that’s not right. More disturbing, however, is that he’s starting to experience feelings for the few living humans left beyond feasting on their flesh. That’s a really bad feeling in a society that is based around togetherness on a basic level.

When I first heard the concept of Bleeding Hearts, I was skeptical. I’m a big fan of Deniz Camp’s work on other series. And I’ve heard nothing but good things about 20th Century Men – his earlier collaboration with artist Stipan Morian. I also enjoyed earlier works with colorist Matt Hollingsworth and letter Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou.

And yet, I couldn’t get past how the concept sounded similar to the novel turned movie Warm Bodies. For those who haven’t read or seen that one, it’s about a zombie who becomes more human thanks to the power of love. However, while exploring the same themes of how monsters and humanity are defined and the need for connection, Bleeding Hearts is an entirely different story.

There is no romance to be found in Bleeding Hearts. Nor is their any explanation for why Poke is starting to feel like an outsider among the rest of zombie society. Instead, Camp’s script focuses upon the idea of a zombie society. Specifically, how it developed through concurrent evolution through the collapse of human society.

Ironically, this does more to humanize Poke than his musings upon what the changes he is undergoing mean. Bleeding Hearts isn’t really a story about a zombie becoming human. It’s about an artist trying to find acceptance in a world where fart jokes are consider the apex of sophisticated humor… who just happens to be a zombie becoming human. It is also one of the most darkly hilarious things I’ve read in some time.

The darkness and depth is perfectly reflected in the art. Stipan Morian does a great job of blocking the action, as the zombies chase after a nameless group of survivors. (I think the blonde woman among them is either meant to be Scarlett Johannsson or a reasonable facsimile.) More, he manages to put personality into all of the zombies. Even the ones who lack faces. Especially the ones who lack faces! Hollingsworth is also at the top of his game with the colors. And there’s some beautifully distinctive lettering in the word balloons.

Bleeding Hearts #1 is a fantastic way opener for the new Vertigo Comics line. This is old-school Vertigo, with all the dark humor, gorgeous art, and unique ideas from the good old days. As I write this on the eve of the book’s release, the first printing has already sold out. I strong suggest you do not sleep on this, because this book is a must read whether or not you’re a fan of zombies.