Lazaretto #2, BOOM! Studios,

(Courtesy of BOOM! Studios)

A terrifying read, Lazaretto #2 (BOOM! Studios) will frighten readers to the core with its chilling vision of body horror and terror. An ingenious take on zombie movies and Lord of the Flies, the rebellious nature of youth takes a twisted turn for the worst.

A pandemic suddenly strikes at a dorm complex. The small American college is quickly quarantined with all of the male and female students trapped within. What first starts out as youthful freedom from authority soon devolves into a violent new society.

Here are 5 reasons why you should read Lazaretto #2:

5) A Clever Title!

If you Wikipedia the word, lazaretto actually means a quarantine station for maritime travelers. In the comic, the travelers happen to be the thousands of dorm residents moving away from home, to be on their own. Lazarets are ships permanently kept at anchor, which also refers to the quarantined college campus.

4) This Ain’t Animal House!

Writer Clay Mcleod Chapman puts his own spin on college movies and society’s frat boy culture. Not only do you get the spine-chilling scares from the zombie-like virus, Chapman’s thought-provoking social commentary will resonate with readers after they finish reading. The frat boys, who could care less about drinking and sex, are the main villains in the issue.

3) The Social Commentary!

I really want to dive into Chapman’s social commentary because it’s so relevant. In today’s news, we’re dealing with Hollywood executive producer and our reality show president being charged with sexual assault/harassment. Lazaretto is timely relevant because the story explores male superiority and male entitlement.

2) The Artwork!

Artist Jay Levang has a sketchy and surreal style, making the pages look hallucinatory. It’s like the disease has warped reality and everyone is in a waking dream. Except in this dream, the nightmare distorts facial expressions and emphasizes the ugly within human nature. 

1) A Fantastic Horror Story!

Lazaretto #2 has such a claustrophobic vibe, focusing on the  aftermath of the plague. The infection has settled in, now let’s see what it will do to people.

Rating:

via GIPHY

Three out of four emojis

Lazaretto #2 is out in stores on October 11, 2017.

– By Jorge Solis