News from the Fallout #1
Review
Writer: Chris Condon
Artist: Jeffrey Alan Love
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: June 25, 2025
Page Count: 32
Format: Single-issue
News from the Fallout #1 delivers a chilling and atmospheric start to a new sci-fi horror series from Image Comics. The haunting black and white visuals by Jeffrey Alan Love bring a unique eeriness to the comic that fits perfectly with this 1960s-set zombie tale.
News from the Fallout #1
ReviewWriter: Chris Condon
Artist: Jeffrey Alan Love
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: June 25, 2025
Page Count: 32
Format: Single-issue
News from the Fallout #1 delivers a chilling and atmospheric start to a new sci-fi horror series from Image Comics. The haunting black and white visuals by Jeffrey Alan Love bring a unique eeriness to the comic that fits perfectly with this 1960s-set zombie tale.
Chris Condon has been a comic book creator to watch in recent years, with gripping crime thrillers like That Texas Blood and The Enfield Gang Massacre under his belt. But now, he is going in a much different direction with his latest indie series from Image Comics. News from the Fallout will be his take on a sci-fi zombie story set in the 1960s, backed by Jeffrey Alan Love’s stark monochrome visuals.
Image was great enough to send me an advanced review copy of this intriguing new horror comic before it hits shelves on June 25. With my excitement about Condon's new work through the roof, I was eager to see what he could do with what feels like uncharted territory for him. Keep on reading for my full review of the comic!
Image: Image ComicsOverview of News from the Fallout
It’s 1962. Deep in the Nevada desert, a top-secret military base edges closer to perfecting the next nuclear super-weapon. One ill-planned test later, and the entire base is exposed to nuclear fallout, and the soldiers turn into ravenous horrors. But only one unexposed soldier escapes, sprinting across the sands to warn the outside world before the horde breaks free and causes unimaginable destruction.
Review
News from the Fallout #1 is an excellent tone-setter of an issue. While dialogue is minimal and obtuse, the first issue gives you everything you need to know about the comics’ setup. What initially seems like a straightforward military drama quickly evolves into a tense zombie narrative with some classic tropes as well as new twists to the genre. As an avid consumer of all kinds of zombie media, I was pleasantly surprised by the new things it brought to the table. I never would have guessed the Cold War era would make such an intriguing setting for a zombie outbreak. With the premise cleanly established in this first issue, I'm eager to see it evolve more as the series progresses.
The art by Jeffrey Alan Love is an absolute highlight for me in this comic. It oozes with style in its simplicity, painting a world completely in black and white, with splashes of gray that add texture to the visuals. White specks in the coloring also bring detail to what otherwise would be pure black silhouettes. Several panels throughout the comic will show hints of eyes and other facial features peering out of the black silhouettes. The white and grey details ultimately elevate the creepiness factor of the story tremendously.
Its overall tone and atmosphere remind me a lot of 30 Days of Night, but with zombies in 1960s Nevada instead of vampires in Alaska. However, News from the Fallout carves its own identity by blending Cold War paranoia with classic zombie tropes. While this first just only scratches the surface of its story, there's so much potential here already for a very gripping and unique zombie comic.
Image: Image ComicsFinal Thoughts:
News from the Fallout #1 is a chilling debut that showcases Chris Condon's versatility as a creator. While quite different from his crime noir work, this horror tale is equally gripping and atmospheric. Jeffrey Alan Love's stark black and white visuals are the perfect complement to the eerie 1960s setting. This first issue does an excellent job of establishing the premise and tone, leaving readers eager to see how the zombie outbreak will unfold.
For fans of horror comics looking for something fresh and visually striking, News from the Fallout is a promising series worth checking out. It proves that even in a genre as bloated as zombie horror, there's still room for unique stories to come to light, especially when paired with exceptional artwork.
Image: Image ComicsWhy you should read News From the Fallout:
- Jeffrey Alan Love’s haunting black and white artwork perfectly captures the eerie tone
- An intriguing sci-fi zombie premise set against the backdrop of 1960s nuclear testing
- Strong visual storytelling that builds tension and atmosphere
