eb5k's FVZA Review...

First, lets talk about the art. FVZA is a beautifully produced book. The art is incredible, and the digital coloring is beautiful. The artists are Roy Allan Martinez, Kinsuh Loh and Jerry Choo. The panels are also on black, as opposed to white, which I think makes the art pop out more. The characters look great. The zombies and vampires look menacing. There were 3 artists that worked on this comic. They worked really hard to keep the visuals consistent, and I really could'not tell between them. That is not an easy feat, and it was executed brilliantly. The color palette is muted, giving a very realistic look. The angles and placement within the panels are cinematic. Not a lot of talking heads. My only minor issue is the overlapping panels that are used. I don't think its necessary, plus it covers parts of the panel below it. This art is way too good to cover, even if it's a small corner. It is my personal taste and by no means takes away or distracts from the story.  The angles change constantly, no giant word balloons or text heavy boxes. The team did a great job laying everything out. If they ever do a movie, they have the storyboard right here. I recommend this for the art alone.  

The story is what makes this stand out among generic vampire and zombie stories. FVZA is based on a website about the fictional US government organization that's hunted down these creatures since 1868 . It's a cool alternate universe that intertwines zombies and vampires with American history. The site has many stories, and the potential for spin-offs is virtually unlimited. Viruses are what caused the zombie and vampire outbreaks. The monsters are diseased humans.  Hines packs a lot of material in this trade. Although I would have liked to see a longer story with more character development, I don't think a better job could have been done in a 3-issue format. You get a FVZA history lesson, flashbacks, and back story on the main characters, but it all moves quickly. Once again, the art is so stunning, and the back stories are all illustrated rather than big word balloons and text boxes. I really like the depiction of vampires. Pale and thin with sharp claws and teeth. This is not your glamorized sexy vampire. Hines gives humanity to these creatures, and even minor characters are well characterized and believable.  I could only imagine how good this could be over a longer run. Without giving any spoilers, Hines also tells a touching love story among the carnage. 

I was not sure what to expect from this title. Initially, I thought this would be typical eye candy with no substance. I am pleasantly surprised with FVZA. Great art, great concept and script. Radical has done a great job with this property, and I look forward to more FVZA.  I highly recommend this book. My only wish is it was not so short!

eb5k's FVZA Review...

First, lets talk about the art. FVZA is a beautifully produced book. The art is incredible, and the digital coloring is beautiful. The artists are Roy Allan Martinez, Kinsuh Loh and Jerry Choo. The panels are also on black, as opposed to white, which I think makes the art pop out more. The characters look great. The zombies and vampires look menacing. There were 3 artists that worked on this comic. They worked really hard to keep the visuals consistent, and I really could'not tell between them. That is not an easy feat, and it was executed brilliantly. The color palette is muted, giving a very realistic look. The angles and placement within the panels are cinematic. Not a lot of talking heads. My only minor issue is the overlapping panels that are used. I don't think its necessary, plus it covers parts of the panel below it. This art is way too good to cover, even if it's a small corner. It is my personal taste and by no means takes away or distracts from the story.  The angles change constantly, no giant word balloons or text heavy boxes. The team did a great job laying everything out. If they ever do a movie, they have the storyboard right here. I recommend this for the art alone.  

The story is what makes this stand out among generic vampire and zombie stories. FVZA is based on a website about the fictional US government organization that's hunted down these creatures since 1868 . It's a cool alternate universe that intertwines zombies and vampires with American history. The site has many stories, and the potential for spin-offs is virtually unlimited. Viruses are what caused the zombie and vampire outbreaks. The monsters are diseased humans.  Hines packs a lot of material in this trade. Although I would have liked to see a longer story with more character development, I don't think a better job could have been done in a 3-issue format. You get a FVZA history lesson, flashbacks, and back story on the main characters, but it all moves quickly. Once again, the art is so stunning, and the back stories are all illustrated rather than big word balloons and text boxes. I really like the depiction of vampires. Pale and thin with sharp claws and teeth. This is not your glamorized sexy vampire. Hines gives humanity to these creatures, and even minor characters are well characterized and believable.  I could only imagine how good this could be over a longer run. Without giving any spoilers, Hines also tells a touching love story among the carnage. 

I was not sure what to expect from this title. Initially, I thought this would be typical eye candy with no substance. I am pleasantly surprised with FVZA. Great art, great concept and script. Radical has done a great job with this property, and I look forward to more FVZA.  I highly recommend this book. My only wish is it was not so short!

The Federal Vampire and Zombie Agency, a dormant government task force is called back into action when a deadly disease resurfaces, transforming innocent victims into Zombies.

Throughout history, from the Civil War to World War II, the FVZA protected humanity from the blood-sucking, flesh-eating hordes - until a vaccine was discovered to quell the undead menace. When a more powerful mutation of the zombie virus infects a small town in America, Agent Landra Pecos must utilize all of her lethal skills of slaying to eradicate this reawakened threat. But, as Landra delves deeper into the investigation, she uncovers shocking secrets from her past that will change her life forever.

This miniseries, based on the popular website FVZA.org, comes in a new deluxe trade paperback format that includes an in-depth interview with writer David Hine (Civil War: X-Men, Spider-Man Noir, Arkham Reborn) along with character renderings and a gallery of artwork featuring industry acclaimed fan favorites John Bolton (Batman: Gotham Knights), Clint Langley (Slaine), Jelena Djurdjevic (The Immortal Iron Fist) and many more.

FVZA hits bookstores & comic shops June 30, 2010
http://radicalpublishing.com

"Hine has the unique ability to take familiar horrors and turn them into new terrors. FVZA is David Hine at his best. Prepare for a bloody fun ride." -Steve Niles (30 Days of Night, Criminal Macabre)

"Radical's most recent, successful attempt at providing readers with cutting-edge stories with gorgeous artwork." -Philadelphia Daily News

"FVZA is THE book to buy for horror fans wanting fresh meat with their vampire fetishes and zombie cravings." - Fangoria

Preview issues 1 - 3 below (navigation controls at bottom of app)

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Click here to see Diamond's full report.

Grab your copy of FVZA and Aladdin: Legacy of the Lost from our comic shop!

"Writer David Hine is able to wrap up all of his plot details quickly and efficiently but throws a bunch of twists and turns in along the way in this issue to keep it interesting. He writes some great character interaction and maintains the tone he set up in the first two issues while continuing to make this book an interesting twist on the vampire genre of which there is a lot out there lately. His take is a little darker and more horror centered than some of the modern vampire stories we see nowadays but it has a lot of human drama too which is what makes this issue a good read. He makes the vampire condition intriguing and disheartening."

"This issue much like the rest of the series was a really cool take on the vampire genre and I feel like the emotional elements of the book were really the center of the book amidst all the shock and gore, which is what I think made this a really satisfying genre read."

Click here to read the full review

"Federal Vampire & Zombie Agency" now available in the Radical store!

Radical is good at two things. They have a great reputation for telling stories that seem tailor made for the movies, and they have some of the best painted art you can find on the printed page. FVZA is one of those titles. How is it though? Well, follow the cut and you’ll see my thoughts on the horror title whose finale comes out today.

FVZA, for those of you who haven’t been keeping up, stands for the Federal Vampire and Zombie Agency. This agency has existed since the 19th century, and has prevents the spread of vampire and zombie infestations throughout the past three centuries. They do so by quarantining and eliminating the threat as quickly as possible to save the general public from such terror.

Read the full review from Multiversity Comics.

Grab issues FVZA #2 and #3 before they sell out from the Radical shop!

"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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"Sometimes, you just can’t let go. As a vampire, eternal life seems to be missing the “life” part as the heart no longer beats in the sunlight. As a zombie, you’re not suddenly changed in a matter of moments like the movies. Instead, you’re a rotting corpse, slowly losing everything you have as father time picks away at your flesh and bones. Both creatures of the night lost more than their humanity, and to let go of it all is to simply be destroyed by the living. For me, letting go is simply trying to ignore a comic book dealing with zombies and vampires. I need to find Waldo to keep my sanity!

FVZA is certainly an exception as I can’t put the thing down when reading it. Some books allow a small snack time in-between pages; some allow days of luxury as the story pains through the same story told over and over again. But FVZA is one straight read-through, and at 47 pages, thankfully so. The story is a meaty one, and probably David Hine’s best. While many have tried to rewrite or adjust the origins of the vampire and zombie, Hine has made sensible modifications to each that are realistic. Zombies decompose, slowly, comparable to a person with Alzheimer’s disease with a virus that slowly eats away at their skin. Vampires don’t become beautiful and sexy when they turn. Instead, they lose hair, skin tone, and are also compatible to having a disease rather than a blessed curse. With these realistic traits to classic monsters, Hine has done something few have done before him with the vampire. He’s made them a being we no longer aspire to be.

The zombies continue to be tragic, but Hine likes to add a little drama to their curse by making them more human than undead. It almost prompts the question as to why they need to be killed, and that’s when Hine reminds us with a sexy woman named Landra and her overprotective brother Vidal being attacked by a gang of zombies that they’re no longer tragic. Instead, they’re carriers of disease that need to be destroyed. These siblings represent the protection of humanity in an outfit called the FVZA, and it creates a parallel to today’s issues with war and defense. This ideal doesn’t cram down your throat either, and is more of a social pondering for the reader to search out on his or her own. In hindsight, it’s amazing how political the zombie theme has been all these years, and it’s no different in this book.

The art detail is gorgeous to look at, and not to act like a typical male here, but the sex scene in this book really jumps out on the page. The team of Roy Allan Martinez and Wayne Nichols along with painters Kinsun Loh and Jerry Choo really turn up the heat in this moment, ironically enough after using a flamethrower a few pages before to kill some zombies. The artwork in this book is really defined, and allows the reader to feel like a movie is being played out on the page. It also keeps me coming back for more. FVZA is must-read to get your full dose of vampire and zombie antidote."

"...I think one of the surprises of this issue was how many different modern day issues this seems to touch on for me. There is the treatment of what are essentially prisoners of war and some questionable interrogation techniques and some of the characters genuinely seem to have questions about whether zombies and vampires should be treated more humanely. Even amongst the vampires it seems that people can retain their human emotions for a while.

Some people never truly adjust to the change and simply die. You actually start to pity them in a way, even though you know that given the chance zombies or vampires would rip a person apart to feed. No small feat to make THEM a pitiable group. The general moral questions presented are just intriguing in here.

This title has everything: enough blood and gore to be gross but not over the top, questions of morality and what makes a creature “human,” really smart storylines with little surprises here and there and even some sexiness (if you need that). As with the first issue, I was drawn to it all the way through and FVZA continues to entertain. If you see it in stores and you like zombie and vampire action with a twist, pick it up. You won’t be disappointed."

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"Short version: You want to read this.

Long version: Seriously, you want to read this, let me tell you why.

...Obviously not every reader is into the gore / horror / splatter styles, but FVZA has appeal way beyond the genre basics. The characters are engaging and full of personality. It matters if one of them gets infected. It matters that the crew is laughing about the zombies' helpless instincts. It matters if that zombie family gets killed. The plot zips along at a quick clip, keeping all the plates spinning. Some of the plates are explosive, others are covered in rotted meat ... and some are gleaming new, and it would be tragic if those broke.

The graphic style is strongly expressive, telling the story as much through body language, scenes and backgrounds, and contrasting images, as the text and dialog tell explicitly. The horror is the kind that you want to look away from, but you just can't look away, not yet. Some new macabre detail makes you look back. The pacing is expert and effective, lingering on this or racing by that for maximum impact.

Unless you are prone to nightmares, I recommend this to all mature readers. It is just a good read, the kind of good that transcends genre and expectation. If you are prone to nightmares, I recommend you read this outside on a sunny day. Just maybe not over breakfast."

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"After spending lots of time setting up everything in issue 1, FVZA #2 hit the ground running with tons of action-packed story. Flame-throwers, biological warfare, and vampire gang attacks are all balanced with lots of plot and character development.

The biggest surprises for me in this series so far are the emotional moments where readers begin to sympathize with the zombies or vampires. I think it’s easier to create that emotional connection with vampires since they still retain so many human characteristics, but the few traits that some of the zombies retain are surprisingly touching. How many zombie books have you read where you sympathized with the zombies?

This book continues its spectacular art with one of the most dynamic uses of painted art that I’ve seen in comics. These battles move with a real energy, and they’re still able to retain that beautiful, shiny quality of painted art. The lettering also played a pivotal role in this issue early as a song played in the background of a scene. The lyrics of the song were non-intrusive, and the reader didn’t have to focus on them to get the meaning of the scene. But going back to read the lyrics added an emotional weight to the actions of the panels.

This isn’t a book to read while you’re eating, but it is one that you need to read if you’re at all interested in zombies or vampires. The creative team had a chance to effectively incorporate all of the big ideas of this seamlessly in this issue, and it’s worth your time."

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"These are extra long issues, as Radical has a tendency to put out supersized comics, but I almost didn't realize that while reading this. That is a compliment, as I was so carried away by the story, it could have been any length. And while the ending twist is logical and easy to see coming, it was still a wonderful “holy crap” moment that many explain why Grandfather has been so obsessed with teaching Landra and Vidal how to kill vampires and zombies.

....The art continues to be wonderful, creepy and grotesque in the best ways possible, although the softly painted Humans do look a little plastic at times. But who cares, because the undead scenes look so damn good I'm willing to forgive everything else. The scene with the zombie mom managed to be disgusting and touching at the same time, and that tales a special kind of talent to pull that off."

"This miniseries is just kicking my butt. This is great stuff, and if you're not reading it, you're a sorry sack of poo. Coming out this Wednesday (January 6th 2010), it is highly recommended. "

CLICK ABOVE IMAGES TO READ REVIEW

"Artwork: 4.0 out of 5
TI just can’t seem to get over how great this issue looks. While I would have liked some more action scenes in it, I think it did just an amazing job setting the mood. Just as in issue #1, the panels are all so fresh and clean, the colors really pop, and if you like me, you might have to clean up the drool on the horror filled death pages. All in all this lives up to the high quality I expect from Radical.

Story: 4.0 out of 5
The storyline in this issue seemed to just move at a nice steady pace. While it’s not a bad thing I would have liked a little more action to be thrown in to just give it a different edge. I liked this issue though because it just builds a great base for the final issue to stand on. So while it wasn’t as exciting as the first, it gets the job done and I am so hooked on what I have read so far.

Dying Breath: 4.0 out of 5
I know I say it often but I love it. The artwork is amazing. The story is original and compelling. I mean what more can you ask for! I wish it came out everyday because I just want more and more. I have been a big fan of Radical’s books so far. I only passed on two titles , one of which I just read and reviewed (Incarnate), but everything they do in my opinion is just put out winners. Read FVZA and you will know why, this is one sure fire hit that true Vampire fans can not miss."

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"THE LOWDOWN:  One doesn’t have to read too many pages into a David Hine-written comic book to realize that Hine is superbly skilled in this medium.  His talent is not so much in creating imaginative scenarios (at which he is also quite good), but in creating plausible, compelling character drama out of the most outlandish scenarios.  FVZA: Federal Vampire and Zombie Agency is certainly outlandish and bizarre in the tradition of oddball science fiction and horror comics.  Hine’s ability to find the heart of the character in the midst of the utterly fantastic and far-fetched makes him the J.J. Abrams of comics.

Hine’s success here is also in large measure to the graphic storytelling of artists Roy Allan Martinez and Wayne Nichols.  Martinez and Nichols can visualize the gory excesses of this story, but do so without decompressing the story so much that they would drain it of energy.  The composition of each panel hits that key moment that allows it to connect with another panel and convey action and drama in a way that both moves the narrative and grabs the reader.  Painters Kinsun Loh and Jerry Choo finish the art by creating moods and accentuating character, sometimes in broad strokes and sometimes with subtle nuance.  That is why FVZA: Federal Vampire and Zombie Agency is more than just another slickly-produced vampire-zombie concept.  It transforms monster melodrama into compelling drama."

CLICK HERE TO READ FULL REVIEW

Great review of FVZA #1 from JEROME MAIDA of the Philadelphia Daily News.

"Radical's most recent, successful attempt at providing readers with cutting-edge stories with gorgeous artwork - in this case by Roy Allan Martinez, who proves to be a revelation - breaks a multitude of conventions in a variety of ways.

First, "FVZA" is one of the titles in the company's "Bigger Books! Bigger Value!" campaign. That means readers are treated to a prestige-format, 64-page debut issue for only $4.99 - or only a dollar more than Marvel is charging for 22-page installments of their most popular titles.

Second, "FVZA" is not adapted from a film, novel or even a movie pitch as many comics are these days. Instead, it was inspired by a Web site (www.fvza.org) that claims to represent the authentic history of the vampire and the zombie through past centuries up until the present day.

The site is fronted by a man named Hugo Pecos who plays a key role in the comic - and not only gives a detailed "History and Science of the Undead" from medieval times to the present, but also in-depth essays on how to combat vampires, zombies and werewolves and a forum to enable the public to submit sightings of the undead from around the world.

What is fascinating about "FVZA" is that the history is detailed enough to provide fodder for countless stories, yet it also demands that the science of the undead has to remain consistent. As a result, "FVZA" breathes fresh life into a genre that has been beaten like a dead corpse by clichés and familiar elements. It dismisses most of the vampires and zombie myths that have been promoted through movies and novels. In the world of "FVZA," the idea that a vampire casts no reflection is rejected as nonsense.

In fact, what writer David Hine has done is completely deromanticize the vampire genre by making those in his tale twisted, ugly and impotent - a sharp contrast to the sexy seducers they are usually portrayed as.

As for the zombies, Hine ratchets up the terror level by having these zombies retain some degree of awareness of their humanity. So instead of the usual mindless moans, these zombies use them to express despair and self-pity.

Of course, Hine has not made these creatures unrecognizable. There are familiar elements. Vampires are still creatures of the night who shun daylight. They still feed on blood and once bitten there is still no escape. People either bleed out or die or become transformed into the beings they fear the most.

Hine powerfully conveys that what makes these familiar creatures so intriguing and horrifying at the same time is that vampires and zombies are neither alive nor dead. They aren't really human, but they are more than just animals.

Through them, Hine explores what it is that makes all of us truly alive and what makes us truly human. The fact that in the world of "FVZA" anyone can be infected and no one can take his or her humanity for granted means that the characters place greater value on the things that define humanity - like love, loyalty and self-sacrifice...

...It should be one exciting, memorable ride for the next couple of issues as the FVZA seeks to end the threat of the undead once and for all."

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL REVIEW

Comic Monsters' The Big Bad Wolf talks FVZA with David Hine:

The Big Bad Wolf: What can we expect from this book in terms of blood and guts?

David Hine: Buckets of blood and gore. I’ve worked very hard to build interesting characters and have a very solid plot going with lots of twists and character development but I know that no fan of the genres will be happy without some serious blood-letting and zombie squishing. Roy Martinez is a master of the grotesque horror scene. He totally adores zombies in a fetishistic and troubling way and he has really gone to town on the horror scenes. There will be blood, and brains and guts, limbs will be severed, heads will roll...

The Big Bad Wolf: What has been the best thing so far about writing this book?

David Hine: The chance to develop a whole alternative mythology, not from scratch because the web site provided the background and that is very useful to go to as a text when I need to know historical or scientific detail. But this does feel like virgin territory. An awful lot of my professional work is on established characters, whether at Marvel and DC or for the three years I wrote Spawn. That can be limiting because of the mass of material already in existence. Here I feel like it’s all fresh and exciting. I also of course, have a great love for the vampire and zombie genres. I’m enjoying contributing to the festering body of Undead Fiction.

The Big Bad Wolf: In closing, what would you like to say to our readers about FVZA?

David Hine: I'm going to be perfectly objective about this. FVZA is the greatest vampire and zombie comic ever

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW

"Federal Vampire and Zombie Agency is the newest release from Radical Publishing and i have to say its one of their best and quite possibly one of the best horror comics ive read in awhile next to The Walking Dead and The Goon. It was written by David Hine and illustrated by Roy Allen Martinez and it was inlfuenced off the real website of FVZA.org

...Every page you turn just has great artwork and just hits you with a bang with awesome horror art with great colors, that they almost pass as horror portraits."

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YET ANOTHER RAVE REVIEW FOR FVZA #1. ON SALE NOW! BE SURE TO PICK UP A COPY AT YOUR LOCAL COMIC SHOP!

"This review is biased. Even before reading one word about the FEDERAL VAMPIRE AND ZOMBIE AGENCY (FVZA), a clandestine government agency that protects all of us normal folks from the dark forces of vampires and zombies, I was already in love with this book. You see, I’m a painted picture whore. Even on their worst days, the stylings of Alex Ross type artists make me coo, gurgle and drool like a toddler looking at a jingling set of car keys. Perhaps it’s an appreciation for the painstaking time it takes to craft these images, which Martinez does. Perhaps it’s the insane level of detail that seems to go into every scene from backgrounds to facial expressions, which Martinez does in spades. Perhaps I’m just easily amused, and again Martinez kept my eyeballs bathed in painted joy. Regardless of the reasons, when I saw the first panel of FVZA with a young nubile Kate Beckinsale-type heroine decked out in leather holding her Grandfather at gun point I was hooked...

...This was a great first issue and I actually find myself a bit sad that FVZA is only slated to be a three issue miniseries. There’s a hell of a lot of fodder in this book for an ongoing series. Simply by giving zombies self awareness, Hine could craft a powerful army of the undead; zombies ruling the day while vampires control the night. It would require arbitration and the formation of a political structure the world has never seen. And once all the humans are slaves is when the fun could really start. I think by the simple fact I’m speculating the future of this title is a strong testament to this being an engrossing and (don’t forget) visually beautiful first issue."

Click here to read full review

"...The art of this book is absolutely fantastic. This is an example of how visceral and energetic painted art can be. I’ve reviewed a number of other books lately that simply have not matched this level of fluidity, and those artists need to take their cues from this art team. Issue one includes everything from western shootouts to zombies eating flesh and vampires catching on fire, and the team didn’t back down from depicting all that gory goodness. One of the real strengths of this book is the way that the art team so effectively handles the variety of settings and time eras."

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"FVZA #1 was an incredibly impressive opening issue for this miniseries, and could be one of the greatest things I’ve read from David Hine since Strange Embrace! The world of comics and movies is becoming overrun with Vampire and Zombie stories at the moment, and the signal-to-noise ratio is becoming such that great stories like this might be overlooked. Don’t dismiss this title as another book inspired by the Twilight craze though, there are a few Twilight-like Vampires in the book, but they get what is coming to them when the true, old Vampires turn up! FVZA is this year’s indispensable horror comic, and with Halloween just around the corner, you can’t afford to pass this up!"

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Check out David Hine's article in Broken Frontier regarding FVZA:

"...There is a danger of saturation and it’s sure there have been a lot of second-rate movies and comic books riding the horror wave. I’ve spent the last few months promoting the FVZA book and the one question I’ve invariably been asked is “What makes FVZA different from all the other vampire and zombie books out there?” Frankly I’ve answered that so many times I can’t be arsed any more. We started on this book what seems like a lifetime ago and everyone involved has sweated blood to turn out the best quality book we could possibly make. Radical have pushed it like nothing I’ve ever worked on. If you haven’t seen the previews by now you must have been in a coma for the past six months. The advance reviews are coming in and thankfully they are almost universally excellent so I guess I don’t have to slit my wrists. Read FVZA and demand the movie!"

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Interview with FVZA's writer David Hine featured in Newsarama:

"Whether it's the DEA, the ATF, or the CIA, the government has many alphabetized avenues to deal with any threat. Whether it's been through stealth or by force, Uncle Sam has always felt he's had the tools to combat any foe... But when the threat are bared fangs, weaponized infection, and immortal bloodlusters -- that's right, we're talking about vampires and zombies -- an old agency has to return from the shadows: FVZA: the Federal Vampire and Zombie Agency.

The Agency, based on the cult alternate history web site of the same name, examines a world where the epidemic of the century isn't swine flu or HIV, but vampirism and zombieism. With the first issue of this series being released by Radical Comics on Wednesday, Newsarama sat down with series writer David Hine on the return of Hugo Pecos, the mythology of the FVZA, and his favorite undead attack of all time."

Click image to view interview

Check out this 2-part interview with FVZA writer David Hine on Comics Bulletin

"With titles like Radical's FVZA: Federal Vampire and Zombie Agency, DC’s Arkham Reborn, and Marvel's Spider-man Noir: Eyes Without a Face, the upcoming follow-up to the hit Spider-man Noir, David Hine is a very busy man. But David took the time out of his busy schedule to chat with me about all his latest projects.

In this 2 Part Interview Series, we talk to David about how he got in the business, how he approaches his projects, and we get an intimate look into his newest titles."
 

Click images to view the interview:

David Hine (below) sits down with Greg Anderson from The Outhouse to discuss FVZA: Federal Vampire and Zombie Agency. Click the image below to read this great article!

Go to 2:46 to hear what she has to say!

"Hine’s story is the perfect blend of real world meeting the supernatural.

From Martinez’s pencils to the digital painting of Loh and Choo, the art team does an amazing job.

Some of my favorite comic books the past two years have come from Radical comics and “FVZA” joins that list of truly entertaining comics.

It’s also one of the best- priced comics. Most comics are now $2.99 or $3.99 for 22 pages of story. “FVZA” is $4.99 for 40 pages of story and a 12 page preview of Radical's next comic The Last Days of Americamn Crime"

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David Hine, the writer of FVZA: Federal Vampire and Zombie Agency gives his personal commentary on the behind-the-scenes creation of the book. Click here to read the full article!

"The first issue of FVZA will be in the stores on Oct 28th, just in time for Halloween. It's about a year since I first started on this book and we've been promoting the hell out of it since San Diego when Radical pumped out countless thousands of copies of the preview edition to whet the appetites of potential readers. They have since featured the first 15 pages on their myspace page and are conducting an FVZA contest with www.eerietube.com. In the run-up to publication, I've been invited by Comics Related to give some background into the process that went behind the creation of the book. Rather than talk again about the concept and the series as a whole, I'm going to comment instead about some of the individual pages of art..."

"David's incredible detail to history, aligned with his ability to seemlessly weave fact with fiction, results in a page-by-page turning story that's absolutely amazing.

...Issue 1 is 8 fingers and 2 thumbs up...the wait for Issue 2 matches the feeling of an 8 year old waiting for 9am on Christmas day to wake the parents and open gifts!"

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Debuting just before Halloween, FVZA gets another great review, this time from Avril Brown at comicswaitingroom.com:

"Combining two of the hottest mediums on the pop culture market today, FEDERAL VAMPIRE AND ZOMBIE ASSOCIATION is a unique take on two classic mystical creatures. Ditching the idea of romantic vampires and embracing the concept of becoming the ‘undead’ via a virus rather than unseen mystical force, FVZA is a book overloaded with fresh new horrors.

...There are no cuddly Cullen vampires or witless, wandering zombies to be found in this book. FVZA returns to the horrific roots of two well-known monsters with a story specifically designed to scare the pee out of you. The bleeding eyes and rotting flesh of those infected with the zombie virus are particularly gruesome as Martinez goes into a disturbing amount of detail. The artwork is hauntingly beautiful and the colors are simply breathtaking, and their combined effect make this some of the best art I’ve seen in a comic. Hine has written a dark and suspenseful tale of man versus monster (with some monster versus monster as well), and an interview with him at the end of the book explains a lot about the story and its origins. Nearly fifty pages of awesome, FEDERAL VAMPIRE AND ZOMBIE AGENCY is off to an excellent start."

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"The Art
All I can say is WOW! The coloring, the pencils the lettering, it’s all beautiful. FVZA is simply stunning to behold.

The Writing
David Hine’s story is creepy, exciting and fun. The dialogue is interesting and the characters are well designed. Mr. Hine has been writing comics professionally for awhile now. He brings a fantastical point of view to FVZA that transcends the confines of this genre.

The Verdict
FVZA is just plain cool. The story is solid. The artwork is phenomenal. Everyone attached to this comic deserve to pat themselves on the back. There are so many vampire and zombie comics these days that you might say, do we really need another? My answer is this: if you can do it better than anyone else and somehow put your own original seal upon it, there will always be room. FVZA certainly qualifies."

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"The way David Hine (Civil War: X-Men, Spider-Man Noir, Arkham Asylum) set’s up the world and these characters is great and hooks the reader almost from the start. Readers of B.P.R.D should find some common ground here. It’s interesting to note that Hine adapted this from a website, an impressive feat to say the least, but the art work in my opinion steals the show. Roy Allen Martinez shows off a beautiful yet fitting style that highlights the dark nature of this tale. I must give huge compliments to everyone on the art team for doing some truly gifted work.

...Overall I must say I was very impressed with this book. The story, the style and everything else clicked so well.  Another highlight is that this is part of the new “Bigger Book, Bigger value” deal from Radical Publishing. You get 64 pages for a mere five dollars, a damn good deal in my opinion. Plus an interview with writer David Hine and a sneak peek at Rick Remender’s The Last Days of American Crime which looks fantastic.

I am truly excited to see where this series will go from here and I strongly urge everyone to pick up this book and join along."

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"It has been a little while since I have had the chance to feature a book from Radical Comics. One thing I love about this company is you know going in no matter what else you will receive a high quality production. In this case, not only is the presentation top notch but this is the best book I have seen from Radical, which is high praise as I have enjoyed many of their books.

It is funny because I thought that I was pretty well done with any more Zombie books, except Walking Dead and outside of 30 Days of Nights, vampires were not the stuff of nightmares they used to be. Now after reading this book I can’t wait for issue #2 and I’m hoping this is volume one in a series of mini-series

"...The artwork is gorgeous. Martinez knows how to draw beautiful woman and ugly vamps and zombies. His layout and panel design is exciting and dynamic, but never at the expense of his story telling. The painted look is icing to the cake on this book. Martinez has a photo realistic style, but it still has a dynamic and fluid edge to it.

Overall Grade A- Stunning visuals, an exciting plotline and great writing. Even the undead want to read this book."

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"Artwork is state of the art--dark and goddamn creepy. The story could be ripped from the headlines in the New York Times (in an alternate universe that you and I would never want to live in-- but one that is closer to our's than any of us would care to admit).

"...We got a good look at this new graphic novel, and we think it's got legs. I've run it by some of my harshest critics, and they've all come back with two thumbs up. There's enough back-story to carry this a long way, and I have to say, I'm already liking the characters-- Landra... her brother... I want to know where they're going and I've already found myself invested in their welfare and future-- a sign of good writing. We're looking forward to the next issue. I highly recommend you hop on board David Hine's crazy-ass train-- I'm already hooked! Style and story... vampires and zombies-- awesome!"

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"The artwork is gorgeous. It's a painted style that is almost photo-realistic at times, but not jarringly so – there are some nice moments which you could almost call expressionist. And the violence is all the more vivid and ugly for it. It's not gory splatterpunk, but there are moments where it still might be a little much for some people. And if that sequence in World War Two doesn't make you squirm and cringe, nothing will.

Out in October, I should probably also point out this is a sixty four page comic for five dollars. A hell of a deal if it wasn't as good as it is. But it is very, very good."

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"David Hine writes it like he’s the first writer to chronicle a vampire and zombie, and we need that focus to keep the templates fresh in these overused subgenres of today. Vampires and zombies are everywhere, so of course an initial reaction to the book is with rolling eyes and a large sigh of here we go again. But once you start flipping through the first couple of pages, writer David Hine has you hooked like a blind swordfish. You’re jumping and diving, and trying to get away from it, but dagnammit if you can’t put the book down until the very last page. And with Roy Martinez on art duties along with alluring painters Kinsuh Loh & Jerry Choo, FVZA is just mesmerizing to the point where the reader feels like they’ve been glamoured by vampire. Every page is just beautiful to look at. Radical Comics continues to churn out great stories with fantastic art, and even adds 24 more pages to the average comic book for full entertainment value. I hate sounding like a salesman, but I just did, and I’m sticking to it. FVZA is THE book to buy for horror fans wanting fresh meat with their vampire fetishes and zombie cravings.

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"David Hine is well known for his work at Marvel on such books as District X, Daredevil: Redemption, and Son of M. But in October, he takes a trip outside of the superhero world with FVZA, also known as the Federal Vampire and Zombie Agency, a taskforce dedicated to eliminating the threat of the undead. In Part 1 of this two-part interview Broken Frontier spoke to Hine about the book and its development."

PART 1

Broken Frontier: Have you enjoyed working with Radical so far?

David Hine: It’s one of the most satisfying experiences I’ve had in comics. The guys at Radical are so respectful of the creative process. After doing work for hire for companies who can treat you as a script machine, it has been very gratifying. No-one is dictating how a story should be told, or how characters should be developed. No-one is arbitrarily re-writing scripts. I’m consulted at every level, from art, to production to the way the book is publicized. A lot of care is taken to make sure every aspect of the book is the best quality we can achieve. I have a great working relationship with my editor, Luis Reyes. At Marvel and DC there is often a feeling that the editor is boss. The better editors will give you a lot of leeway but there is always a point where you are going to be over-ruled. Luis is a demanding editor. He’ll pick up on any weaknesses in plot structure, character, pacing – all the things an editor should be doing, but in the end if I feel strongly about something, it stays in. I guess it’s more like the writer/editor relationship in traditional book publishing.

Radical are also great at looking after their creators on a practical level. The pay is good, I get flown out to San Diego for the convention, signings are well organized and the book is being promoted to the hilt. The ashcan edition we were giving away at the Con was a beautiful thing to behold.

BF: This book is based on the website FVZA.org, which developed a sizable fan following. Why do you think it became so popular? Do you think it has to do with the way it treats the subject matter as if it were real?

DH: Yeah, that’s it absolutely. The FVZA site immerses itself in the history and science to an incredible degree. Richard Dargan created the site and he has literally taken on this alter ego of Hugo Pecos, a former director of the Federal Vampire and Zombie Agency. The agency was dismantled in the mid-seventies when it looked like vampires and zombies were extinct, but good ol’ Hugo is convinced they will be coming back and he wants to keep the world prepared for the worst.

Everything you could possibly want to know about how the vampire and zombie viruses are transmitted and the biology of the victims is there, as well as some things you would probably prefer not to know. There’s a detailed history of the Undead from mediaeval times to the present day, including biographies of famous vampires. The site is constantly growing. Checking it out this week I see we now have a section on the riot at Woodstock after zombies invaded the site and the FVZA tried to cancel the show just before Crosby Stills Nash and Young began their set. And there’s a section on Vampires in the Vietnam War. It’s all done completely deadpan. I love it.

There’s a lot of opportunities to interact with the site too, with members of the public submitting their own sightings of the Undead from all over the world.

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PART 2

BROKEN FRONTIER: How do you see the character of Hugh Pecos? He seems like a cross between Van Helsing and Captain Ahab.

DAVID HINE: That’s very good. Yes, he is obsessive and the Undead are his White Whale. He’s willing to sacrifice everything to that obsession, and that includes friendships and family. He’s willing to put his own life on the line but also the lives of others. That’s brutal but it’s the only way humanity will win this battle.

BF: What about the grandchildren? Is there a reason Vidal is more reluctant than Landra?

DH: They are just very different personalities. Landra is the favored child in the sense that she is a natural warrior. Vidal just wants to live a normal life and he’s less than convinced that the Undead are still out there. He gradually comes to believe that Pecos is just a crazy old man who wants to live his past glories vicariously through his grandchildren. The relationship becomes very strained. Once Pecos is proved right, Vidal signs up for the deal, but he is always reluctant. I guess, like any other young guy he would prefer to drink beer and get laid than spend his days wading through shit in some vampire-infested sewer.

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"Zombies burst from the panels. Flames heat the readers face. Gunshots are heard as they rip flesh. This is as visceral as comic art gets and it is stunning. It never quite steps into splatter punk gore, but there are scenes that are not for the faint of heart. These vampires are not the kind that inhabit Meyer’s work and unlike Kirkman’s zombies, these reanimated dead get in the reader’s face.

An adrenaline filled and inventive take on two of horror’s more enduring genres, FVZA #1 is a stunning debut. With writing and art this strong, this may be Radical’s entry to the big boy dance."

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"Hine’s story and script offer hell-raising, pulp fiction fun by mixing horror and science fiction.  Hine takes the social context out of the zombie (It’s a metaphor for our… whatever) and adds in more gruesome mayhem, and he rips the romantic gloss off vampires, depicting them as disgusting parasites.  Hine is fortunate to have highly-skilled artists visualizing this story in first-rate comic book art.  That penciller Roy Allan Martinez is a skilled storyteller is a good thing; that the painted finished art by Kinsun Loh and Jerry Choo gives the story pitch perfect mood is like a million dollar signing bonus.

David Hine could be a breakout star writer, only needing his own Swamp Thing, Animal Man, or The Authority to become a newly born star.  FVZA testifies to that."

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Steve Sunu recently conducted an interview with David Hine where he discusses the origins and mythology of FVZA as well as working with artist Roy Allan Martinez. 

"This October, Radical Comics releases “FVZA: Federal Vampire and Zombie Agency” based on the website FVZA.org, with longtime comics scribe David Hine (“Spider-Man: Noir”) behind the helm. Set in an alternate reality where vampires and zombies have been a part of everyday life for years, the world of “FVZA” is one of constant danger and duplicity from intelligent vampires who use the zombie and vampire viruses to infect the innocent and attempt to takeover the world.

“At one time 300,000 people were infected. After the Civil War, the Federal Vampire and Zombie Agency was set up to deal with the problem,” Hine told CBR. “A scientific wing worked on developing a vaccine for the diseases and the military wing hunted down infected survivors. The agency was so successful that by the mid-seventies vampires and zombies were declared extinct and the agency was shut down.”

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"It's Bug again. This time I'm bringing you a conversation I had with David Hine about his new book from Radical Comics, FVZA. Tales of zombies and vampires are two of my favorite types of horror stories. FVZA's got both of them. Throughout this interview I've interspersed the FVZA Preview Book Radical had available at this year's SDCC, so check out the pages of that book and then read the interview. Let's not waste any more time and check out what Mr. Hine had to say about FVZA."

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Mike Fish of Fangoria recently interviewed FVZA: Federal Vampire and Zombie Agency writer David Hine regarding everything horror and regarding the upcoming October title from Radical.

"In a FANGORIA COMIC SCREAMS Exclusive, Fango's Mike Fish goes one-on-one with writer David Hine.

Formerly a writer on major superhero titles like X-MEN, CIVIL WAR, THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD, and SPAWN, Hine recently sunk his teeth into the horror genre with the new book FVZA: FEDERAL VAMPIRE AND ZOMBIE AGENCY.

Due out this October, just in time for Halloween, Hine gives Fango the full scoop on the series, the double-sized monthly issues, and what sets it apart "

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"FVZA: Federal Vampire and Zombie Agency #1 will debut in comic shops in October 2009, and if you are a fan of zombies or vampires (or both), we have only one word for this one: WOW!

This may be the most beautiful comic that Radical has produced to date, and it benefits greatly from their new $4.99 double-sized format. The story by David Hine (Civil War: X-Men) is intriguing and the art by Roy Allan Martinez is captivating. There is a lot of story to sink your teeth into, if you’ll pardon the topical reference."

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Radical Publishing is proud and excited to announce the October 2009 debut of its newest miniseries FVZA: Federal Vampire and Zombie Agency written by popular comic writer David Hine (Civil War: X-Men, Spider-Man Noir).

"Hine has the unique ability to take familiar horrors and turn them into new terrors. FVZA is David Hine at his best. Prepare for a bloody fun ride." Steve Niles

Based off of 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. When a new incurable strain of the virus ravages a small town in America, Agent Landra Pecos must call upon her lethal skills to eradicate the threat. But as Landra delves deeper into her investigation of the undead menace, she uncovers shocking secrets that will forever change her family, her world and her life.

“FVZA is a cutting edge reinterpretation of American history and Radical is excited to bring it to life,” said Radical Publishing President and Publisher Barry Levine. “David Hine is just a phenomenal writer who is taking a fresh mythology to new heights. Longtime fans of the website as well as new readers won’t be disappointed with David’s amazing take on the FVZA.”

The three-issue miniseries will be the next title in Radical Publishing’s new 64-page, bookshelf format, with a low $4.99 price point. Also featured in issue #1 is a special preview of The Last Days of American Crime by Rick Remender (Punisher, Fear Agent) Radical’s next bookshelf title, on sale December 2009.

You can view a 5 page preview of FVZA: Federal Vampire and Zombie Agency #1 from the Diamond Comics’ Previews World site in the link below.   

http://www.previewsworld.com/public/default.asp?t=1&m=1&c=23&s=576&ai=85866

FVZA: Federal Vampire and Zombie Agency #1 appears in the August 2009 issue of Diamond Previews with covers from both John Bolton (DCD# AUG091034) and Clint Langley (DCD# AUG091035). FVZA: Federal Vampire and Zombie Agency #1 is 64-page prestige comic for only $4.99.

The latest episode of the Comic Book Page podcast has an interview with FVZA writer David Hine, where he discusses vampires, zombies and Radical's FVZA based on the website fvza.org

 64 pages for ONLY $4.99! Based on the popular website FVZA.org and written by comics superstar David Hine (Civil War: X-Men, Spider-Man Noir, Arkham Asylum). Featuring covers by John Bolton and Clint Langley.