**I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher!

I love zombie media in any form. Ryan Parrott's author's note at the beginning was a really smart decision. He took the time to explain where he got his inspiration and delve a little bit into the idea of "zombies" as a genre. I agree with him that zombie media is often not about the zombies themselves. It *is* about the survivors and the ability for the reader to step inside the character's shoes, to see if they would survive against these monsters. Apocalyptic worlds are often ultimately about human endurance and it is that much poignant when they are up against the former remnants of humanity itself.

With that being said, I loved the premise of this graphic novel. One day out of the year, the dead will rise with sentience. They can rejoin family, fulfill last wishes, seek revenge, or anything else imaginable. That's a take I haven't seen before. I also really enjoyed the idea of the Revivalist religion. I like cults, I enjoyed the imagery of the Widow Mother, and I was interested to see how the other characters were going to interact with the Revivalists.

There were some strong aspects to this story but ultimately I just felt like nothing was this holding this together. There was a plot, sure. And I could describe it...but it feels like just bare bones held together with some solid, gory illustrations. The characterizations are inconsistent and all over the place, there isn't any follow through, and I felt like nothing was answered. For example, <spoiler>Melissa and her husband are literally arguing about the situation and then they decide to maybe die for Melissa's undead exboyfriend on the same page??? It doesn't make any sense.</spoiler>

So, overall disappointing for me. Some good parts but not enough to interest me any further.

Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC.

What a ride! The graphics and dialogue were amazing but the story... wowzer! The Dead come back for one night, from sunset to sunrise. Will your true love come back to celebrate with you? Will your dead worst enemy come back to exact revenge? Who knows!

The character development in this graphic novel was top freaking notch. You can definitely tell this is a seasoned team.

The only con, and really it's a personal preference, I wish it was 3 times as long! While it doesn't feel rushed, I would have loved to have seen more of the Revivalists and more of the Peacekeepers back stories.

No matter, this is a stellar graphic novel. I will be picking this one up it's publication day.

What a surprisingly fun ride this was! So much more than I expected from a graphic novel about the dead returning to the living for one day.
From the publisher’s blurb; If the dead could come back for just one night, would we want them to? Meet the Haskins, a seemingly normal suburban family, as they prepare for the annual macabre holiday known as "Dead Day" - when the deceased rise from the grave from sunset to sunrise. Some come back to reunite with family and friends, others for one last night of debauchery, still others with only one thing on their decomposing minds: revenge.
That was enough to pique my curiosity and my hope that this wasn’t going to be just another zombie comic. I don’t know about other horror fans but I am so over zombies. Never really cared for them but now they are just a tired old trope to make a quick buck.
But not this. Dead Day, yeah technically the dead would be considered zombies since they rise from the grave and go walking, but to call it a zombie comic is a great disservice to the author and the story.
If you could see anyone you lost, for just one night, to find closure, to say I love you, to say goodbye, I’m sure most of us would. I know I would without another thought because I could hug my sister one more time. Ryan Parrot does one hell of a job describing what that experience might be like.
Where there is the unfortunate issue that the dead look...well...dead. It’s a nice idea unless you made some poor judgments and some of the dead have an issue with you or you happen to wander across a serial killer looking for one more thrill. But those are the chances we take every day anyway so, what the hell.
This story covers a lot of ground; loss, regret, secrets, and revenge. There are a few side stories going on but the main tale about the Haskin family is so cleverly told and, dare I say it, relatable. Sometimes we have to make choices, to close a painful chapter in our lives, to offer thanks for the life we do have, or just to pay back a wrong.
If someone you loved was murdered, and you had the chance to ride with them one more time to get revenge, would you? If you knew the person who stole the love you had by killing your loved one, how hard would it be to say, “Yeah, let’s go get the son of a bitch!”
You just might want to make sure they can’t come back for you on the next Dead Day.
I highly recommend this to horror lovers, zombie fans, and anyone who ever wondered what it would be like to get one more day.

I received this book free of charge in exchange for my honest, unbiased review, thanks to Diamond Book Distributors, Aftershock Comics, and @Netgalley

In this graphic novel is what appears to be a normal family. However when “dead day” happens, secrets and surprise are revealed. The holiday “dead day” is when the dead rise from their graves and seek love, revenge and knowledge of what happened. A mother talks to a former boyfriend that has risen and ends up at her home. Why? A boy goes to meet a girl he has a crush on in secret. They are both alive but the girl with the boy goes to a group that seems to be a cult which scares him. He is given a message that upsets him. What is it? These are my favorites. I do want to say there is more and it is excellent too.

The story is more than a zombie story as the dead are aware and not brain dead or “hungry.” It is the chance to get answere between the living and the dead. I enjoyed reading this graphic novel because it surprised me. The story is well written. The illustrations are perfect for this story.

Dead Day by Ryan Parrott was a very confusing and weird read for me, because at the end of the read, I felt kind of conflicted. The start of the book had me confused, the middle had me grossed out and creeped out too, and the end had me feeling like this was a well-finished and well-rounded story.

I expected this to be a zombie story and whilst I haven't read many graphic novels in my time, the ones I have read I have enjoyed. I can't say whether I have enjoyed Dead Day just yet. This is one of those reads that I think I need to sit with and think about over the next few days to properly digest it and come to a more concrete feeling of whether it was a hit or miss for me.

At the moment, I didn't dislike it, but I didn't really enjoy it either. What I did enjoy was the ending and how it may not have been a positive or happy ending per se, it was still one that I think was done well and left me with enough hope for the characters overall.

As someone that can't watch horror movies, quite often has to sleep with the light on at night and can easily scare myself into pure terror from hearing a thump outside or reading a scary story or accidentally flicking across a scary show or movie on television, this probably wasn't the graphic novel for me. The illustrations were pretty yuck and would definitely not be something I would be showing children any younger than mid-teens. I would compare it to maybe the Walking Dead television show, so there is some unpleasant illustrations each chapter.

This wasn't a long read and I managed to finish it in about 30 minutes so if you're after a well-rounded story that is quick and easy to read, and don't mind some horror or enjoy it, even, then this may very well be a great choice for you. I'm more a sunshine and unicorn girl, but I can see that overall this was a nicely wrapped-up story with interesting characters, fast-pacing and I particularly enjoyed the ending. .

I'm not usually one for zombie content and sometimes adult graphic novels tend to be a little too much gore/shock factor and not enough plot. However, I really enjoyed this one and its take. The art was really good - gore in necessary increments given that it is a zombie story, but nothing that seemed overly gratuitous or unnecessary for the plot points. I really enjoyed the plot overall. I am fascinated by "Dead Day" and would love to find out more about it's history or what started it. Definitely also want to know more about the Widow Mother and her part in everything. I even felt like the family's plot line was strong as well - it didn't take too much of a back seat to all of the action and the elements going on around it. Really strong and I am anxious to read more.

I received a digital ARC through NetGalley from AfterShock Comics. When Dead Day comes, the dead rise - some to reconnect with loved ones, others for sinister reasons. How you chose to participate in Dead Day is up to you. This graphic novel follows one family through this notorious day. I enjoy zombies, cults, mayhem, and loving families fighting alongside each other - so this did not disappoint. Fans of The Walking Dead would like this too. Reminiscent of The Purge movies as well.

What a horrifying yet interesting concept Dead Day is, like a mix of Romero’s zombies with The Purge. This was an excellent graphic novel, really original and entertaining story. Personally I’d like more background about when/why/how it started, who the Widow Mother is, more about the new revivalists, etc. but maybe there will be more books coming where that could be explained. I’ll definitely read them if they come out.

I really enjoyed this comic book and with so much out dealing with zombies and people returning from the dead this was a fresh take on the returned. This time the returned were still dead even upon seeing their loved ones. They write a nice story about payback gone wrong that ended up not too bad for some. Closure for one woman and an introduction to family for a son. I believe it is more for adults than children. But if the child were 13 it might be o.k..

Review to come in March 6th to blog/goodreads.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

I was very curious about this one, zombies? Dead Day? Dead returning? The cover looked good and so I decided to get this one when I saw it up on Netgalley. And while it was a times a bit disjointed, I am still very happy I tried this graphic novel.

Dead Day, the day the dead come back alive. For many reasons, and some dead you just don't want to get on earth again (like criminals for instance). It can be a chance for the families to say goodbye to family members who died. Yes, the zombies, I am sorry I am going to call them that, can often talk and do all the things they could do in life before death. Talk, walk, sing, and act revenge.

The story is split up in multiple POV. We have mom and her ex who has come back from the dead, her son, her husband. Then there are POVs for others as well. At times it got a bit confusing and it quite often feel a bit disjointed. However, with the ending I can tell you that it does tie up all nicely and that is what I loved.

I really liked seeing how each person reacted to Dead Day. From the old neighbour who was in the military and who rubbed his doors in blood and keeps guard on the front porch with a gun, to families having parties with their dead loved ones, to police men finding murdered victims and help them out, to prison guards/soldiers trying to not get murdered by dead inmates, to several mercenaries (I would call them that) who kill and burn anyone who has resurrected no matter what. I have to say I wasn't a fan of those last ones. I mean there is no need to murder the returning dead unless they are harmful (like murderers and that like). I mean they murder innocent people.

The revenge story.. I just wasn't a big fan of that. Sorry. It was just too much and I frankly just wanted to enjoy the story as it is. Because as it is, without the revenge, it was a good story.

I liked that we learned so much about various things, like mom's relationship with our biker dude, or why the revenge was needed. And we also get some interesting revelations. Oh yes.

The art was pretty good. I loved the sketch pages at the end.

Oh, and I love the extra information on Dead Day. What to do, and what not to do and some other things. I always love it when stuff like this is added.

All in all, this was an interesting book with a great twist on zombies/dead returning from the grave.

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.*

The intro to this comic warns the reader that this isn't a zombie comic, and that couldn't be a more apt description. This is not a zombie comic. And it's all the better for it!

This was a fantastic exploration of a family with a twist. The premise of Dead Day may be cliche and the explanation behind it may be non-existent, but this comic sets out to tell the somewhat simple, somewhat complicated story of a family and it succeeds in doing so.

With wonderful art from Evgeny Bornyakov (I follow him on Instagram so it was awesome to see his art in this!) and lovely colours too, this is a solid comic that is definitely worth a read!

The Walking Dead but with a twist! Sometimes they come back for unfinished business!

Super good, loved it. The graphics are awesome, attention to details, and the colour palette, amazing. I just really loved how all the dead were different in appearance, you can see how they died, and for how long they have been dead, so unlike TWD, and full marks for that.

I also really appreciate how the clear the writing print was, for most, the writing gets so lost somewhere in the graphics. The story was great too, I would have liked a bit more into the origins of the “Dead” but still, it was a very enjoyable read, even for adults. Much recommended.

I received an eARC of this book via Netgalley, and publishers. All opinions are my own.

Interessante a proposta porém a lógica é questionável, como pode uma sociedade preparada para tal acontecimento deixar os mortos andarem na rua sem nenhum preparo estrutural, mandarem policiais para matar os mortos??? Por que não evitar a fadiga antes mesmo deles resolverem matar os vivos.
Com essa sinopse o autor poderia ter entregado algo realmente intrigante e envolvente, mas foi para um lado totalmente desinteressante e sem adereços.
A arte não é nada memorável embora não seja ruim, entregou um bom trabalho para criação visual dos personagens.

"The Purge" meets the Day of the Dead here, in this well-crafted comic. For some unknown reason, one day of the year some of the dead come to life, and from sun-down to sun-up have a corporeal existence in which to do whatever they want, whether it be reconnect with their living family, get that great lay they missed out on while alive, or get revenge. Us living differ in our thoughts about this, especially those of us with a religious or culty bent, and even within families opinions are split. Our family has the wife wanting to see her old flame get closure, while the husband is stuck at home with his jealousies – oh, but not with their son, who's absconded for some culty gathering in honour of the bizarre festival. But what would happen when the wife, guns, bullets and murderous semi-zombie-like ex, brings all the baggage from the grave home with her?

Of course, as the introduction correctly protests, these are not zombies. Nor are they ghosts here for one last flap around and walk through walls. But consider if they were, for a moment – because the problem with this book is the husband character suddenly threatening to turn all Ash Williams. It's not a problem that makes this book a fail, but it's obvious the arc the character gets is too uneven. And it's only a noticeable problem because the rest of things are so good – the artwork and direction is fine, the filling out of the world is great, and the core plot gets to be really emotional. Stuck at times in cheesy criminality, but ultimately emotional. A strong four stars.

One day in the year Deads come alive, for some people is a dream and for others is a nightmare because it's time to revenge, AND this is the story of 15 years old revenge.
The story was good, about a few families in one day, BUT I'm not really a horror, creepy and bloody graphic reader, prefer the comedy one. Recommended to dark comics reader.

Thanks to Netgalley, I have given an honest review of DEAD DAY by Ryan Parrott.

Really enjoyed this one! Loved the illustrations and storyline. The story was intriguing and I wanted to keep on reading.

Such an original idea and a fun read. This comic reminded me so much of what the events in Cocoa would be like if it was more realistic and not so bubbly and happy. Very much like The Purge, as well, with a cute little family story in the middle. Very fun read. I look forward to more from this author and artist, too.

I’m drawn to any and all zombie content, be it shows or films, books or graphic novels. So when I saw Dead Day on NetGalley, smashing that READ NOW button was a no-brainer—pun intended!

I think what fascinates me about the undead is their relentlessness, their seemingly unstoppable drive (to shamble—or sprint, depending on whose worldbuilding we're talking—to consume, to persist). There is also something about survival in a zombie apocalypse that has always profoundly thrilled even as it terrified me. And through it all, I’ve come to expect certain tropes, hunger for brain/flesh being first and foremost; I’ve enjoyed reading all variations on these themes.

So you can imagine my surprise and delight when in the Introduction Ryan Parrott writes that Dead Day, despite its undead characters, isn’t a zombie story.

Via several online sources, Parrott describes the inspiration behind this unconventional series:
“I think the inspiration came from the fact that getting older means you start to lose the people you love. I never got a chance to say goodbye to my grandparents before they passed and, I remember for months after their deaths, I would have these insanely vivid dreams were I simply got to talk with them for a few minutes, and then I'd wake up and they were gone. So I thought, what if that actually happened... but worldwide? Television shows like THE PURGE and THE LEFTOVERS have done a wonderful job highlighting how entire societies can change politically or emotionally based on a single moment, and I think I liked the idea of exploring that idea in relationship to death.”

A version of this statement is included in the Introduction, and I thought it framed the graphic novel very, very well. I was impressed with the storytelling, witty dialogue, and character development: Dead Day’s first volume follows the Haskin family as they navigate the eponymous Dead Day—one night that occurs every few years when certain members of the deceased return to the living. It isn’t a night for gore and mayhem, though there definitely still is some of that in this graphic novel.

Rather, this is a story of family, devotion, and the different ways in which we make peace with our dead.




Thank you NetGalley and Diamond Book Distributors for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.