FVZA, or Federal Vampire and Zombie Agency, is a three part miniseries written by David Hine, with artwork by Roy Allan Martinez & Wayne Nichols. The series is released by Radical Comics, and is being released in their 64-page prestige format, with 46 pages of story, a trade dress, and a $4.99 price point.

FVZA is based on the popular website, FVZA.org, created by Richard S. Dargan. FVZA chronicles a world where a deadly disease, representing a new threat of global terrorism, transforms innocent victims into Zombies and a long dormant government task force is called into action: The Federal Vampire and Zombie Agency. Throughout history, from the Civil War to World War II, the FVZA protected humanity from the blood-sucking and flesh-eating hordes — until a cure was discovered that sent the undead to their graves.

The Story

FVZA #1 presented readers with an alternate history of the U.S.A. where Vampires and Zombies came across the oceans with the first colonists. The Federal Vampire and Zombie Agency was formed by Ulysses S. Grant after the civil war, in order to eradicate the Vampire and Zombie threat. However, since the development of the Zombie-ism and Vampire-ism vaccine, there hasn’t been an official sighting since the mid 1970′s. And so, the government shut down the FVZA in 1975.

In 2009, a rogue Vampire called Mandrake began converting goth Vampire wannabes, with the aim of creating his own army. Then, with their aid he poisoned the water supply of a small town with the zombie virus, causing a massive outbreak of Zombie-ism.

The government is unprepared for this threat, and calls for help from Dr. Hugo Pecos, the retired former director of the FVZA. Peco has never believed the government’s claims that Vampires and Zombies had been eradicated, and has been prepared for this threat since the FVZA was shut down. Pecos is also responsible for raising his grandchildren, Landra and Vidal, after their parents died, and has educated them in the history of the FVZA, and trained them in killing techniques.

At the close of issue #1 we found out that the ‘old Vampires‘, who have been in hiding in Europe, have learned what has been happening in the USA, and furious that the secret of their continued existence has been revealed, they dispatch a member of their order to eradicate the threat.

FVZA #2 is a lot slower in pace from the first issue, which spent a lot of time introducing readers to the characters, world, and concepts of the FVZA. This issue is more concerned with developing the plot and the characters. Much of the issue deals with the newly reinstated FVZA, which has taken on new students, and is training them in techniques for killing Vampires and Zombies. Joining this team is Landra and Vidal, who having been raised in isolation for much of their lives, are having trouble adjusting to this new setting.

Through the capture of one of Mandrake’s converts, or vassals, the FVZA learns the location of Mandrake’s hideout, but when they get there, they are greeted by a scene of utter carnage. Then, not long after, they learn of the involvement of the old Vampires in Europe, and their role in Mandrake’s slaying.

Meanwhile, unbeknown to the FVZA, the old Vampire council in Europe has decided that since Mandrake has exposed their existence, there is no way for them to continue to go unnoticed. The USA will put pressure on European countries to weed out their Vampires populations, ending up with their extinction. Given no better option, they decide that the best choice is to go ahead with Mandrake’s original plan, and bring America to its knees with the Zombie virus!

The Rating

Much of the first issue was spent reviewing the history of Vampire-ism and Zombie-ism within the world of the story (as outlined on FVZA.org), and introducing readers to the main characters. With the groundwork of the story laid, David Hine now spends time developing the characters we met in the first issue, and creates a great plot that goes beyond the realm of what we already know from the FVZA website. The plot is much more nuanced that outlined above, and Hine also introduces an interesting subplot involving two of the humans that Mandrake converted, which explores whether the bond of love survives when the lovers no longer need their hearts. Its really great stuff, and Hine executes in wonderfully, with strong dialogue, realistic characters, a suspenseful plot, and a twist at the end that will surprise even long-time fans of the FVZA world!

The artwork on this issue by both Roy Allan Martinez and Wayne Nichols, and has a very detailed photorealistic look to it, that really helps bring this alternate version of America to life. Their Vampires are horrific, with their grey skin, and their hair falling out in lumps; and their zombies are utterly gruesome, with their rotting flesh, and their empty, soulless eyes. It’s great artwork, with fantastic composition and style.

FVZA #2 is a really strong follow-up to a brilliant debut issue. This series has brought the world of the FVZA website to life, with a gripping, original tale that really keeps readers on the edge of their seats! I recommend this comic to all fans of the macabre, it’s by far the best horror comic on the shelves.

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