By Jonathan Edwards

Apparently, this is based on a tabletop game. I mention this first because I didn't realize that when I initially signed up for Dead of Winter #1, and finally learning it is what made some things make more sense. Well, one thing made more sense: the title. Because, while the book does technically take place in Winter, it doesn't really drive home the whole "endless Winter" thing that's supposed to be accompanying the zombie apocalypse. In fact, I only know that that's supposed to be a thing because I read the plot synopsis inside the front cover. Seriously, I can't remember a single point where anyone even made a passing reference to it being anything other than a normal old Winter. Furthermore, there's not really anything showing why the Winter makes this scenario particularly more problematic than any other zombie apocalypse. Sure, we can infer that it's really cold, and that probably sucks. But, wouldn't reduced temperatures also negatively impact the zombies as well? For example, literally freezing them if and when it gets cold enough? That seems like a pretty even break to me in the grand scheme of things. Anyway, my point is, I presume the Winter setting plays a bigger part as a mechanic in the tabletop game, and since this is an adaptation, I have no further issues with the title. The issue itself on the other hand...