Where the R-rated film Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse failed to take make an impression on the box office and the current culture in the way that The Walking Dead did, Ghoul Scouts stepped up to fill in the all-age comic book need. Most would claim it unfair to compare Ghoul Scouts, a comic book, to a film and a television show.  Yet the book makes allusions to movies and productions like Zombieland, and others, so I feel the comparison justified.

The story was a blast.  Some of the more rambunctious Nature Scouts got punished for an exploding popcorn incident and had camp in the desolate section of the forest.  Glowing undead meanies attacked.  Why?  Who cares?  The humor and the safe for all-ages zombie head bashing made all that irrelevant.

Honestly, the kids live in what the narrator calls the most paranormal part of the country, so a little zombie attack is not all that surprising.

When the Gaia Scouts saved the day and team up with their masculine counterparts, the co-ed zombie bashers went full force head bashing on their undead nemeses.

As I said, the story doesn’t waste time on needles elements.  The setup happened fast, and then the whole thing took off from there.

The artwork sold me on volunteering to review the book.  The cartoon-type illustrations worked so well in defining the characters.  In addition, the emotion conveyed through the not-manga but big eyed characters came through clear.  No one will question if the look on the scout’s face is one of horror or anger, for everything was ideally illustrated.  And best of all, the zombie violence was limited to slingshot headshots that substitute cartoon stars for sprays of blood.

The team on this book made something fun and wonderful that readers of any age will enjoy.  In a time where the pre-teen cartoon is nothing more than a nostalgic memory, Ghoul Scouts stands in to provide something fun and crazy for an age group that needs more than the hate-filled chat channels of popular video games.

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Ghoul Scouts: Night of the Living Undead #1 Writer: Steve Bryant Artist: Mark Stegbauer, Jason Millet Colorist: Jason Millet, Drew Browne Publisher: Action Lab Comics Price: $3.99 Release Date: 6/8/16 Format: Mini-Series; Print/Digital

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