The Last Zombie Volume 5: The End TP (Paperback) - Common

The Last Zombie #5

by Brian Keene

The explosive final chapter! In the aftermath of "Before the After's"" "shocking cliffhanger, the team are imprisoned by a brutal despot, the last surviving member of pre-apocalypse Chicago's notorious political machine. Warner faces torture, Planters is on the run, and time is running out for everyone -- especially Ian, who is succumbing to the zombie virus raging through his veins!

Genres: Horror, Zombies, Comics, Post Apocalyptic, Graphic Novels, Science Fiction, Fantasy

Unknown Binding

First published October 8, 2013

About the author

BRIAN KEENE writes novels, comic books, short fiction, and occasional journalism for money. He is the author of over forty books, mostly in the horror, crime, and dark fantasy genres. His 2003 novel, The Rising, is often credited (along with Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead comic and Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later film) with inspiring pop culture’s current interest in zombies. Keene’s novels have been translated into German, Spanish, Polish, Italian, French, Taiwanese, and many more. In addition to his own original work, Keene has written for media properties such as Doctor Who, Hellboy, Masters of the Universe, and Superman.

Several of Keene’s novels have been developed for film, including Ghoul, The Ties That Bind, and Fast Zombies Suck. Several more are in-development or under option. Keene also serves as Executive Producer for the independent film studio Drunken Tentacle Productions.

Keene also oversees Maelstrom, his own small press publishing imprint specializing in collectible limited editions, via Thunderstorm Books.

Keene’s work has been praised in such diverse places as The New York Times, The History Channel, The Howard Stern Show, CNN.com, Publisher’s Weekly, Media Bistro, Fangoria Magazine, and Rue Morgue Magazine. He has won numerous awards and honors, including the World Horror 2014 Grand Master Award, two Bram Stoker Awards, and a recognition from Whiteman A.F.B. (home of the B-2 Stealth Bomber) for his outreach to U.S. troops serving both overseas and abroad. A prolific public speaker, Keene has delivered talks at conventions, college campuses, theaters, and inside Central Intelligence Agency headquarters in Langley, VA.

The father of two sons, Keene lives in rural Pennsylvania.

Reviews

[Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic ending to the series, the story comes to a close in a satisfying way and there’s even a surprising cameo from another of Brian’s books. I really enjoyed this series and would highly recommend it to fans of zombie and post-apocalyptic fiction.

[Kaisersoze · Rating 3 out of 5]

The final volume in the high quality Last Zombie series surprises insofar as it limits the action and bloodthirsty set pieces a typical fan of Brian Keene might expect. Instead it opts for a more thoughtful reflection on love and loss, and what constitutes success in a decimated world where any kind of win needs to be savoured more thoroughly than ever before.

The artwork was variable from comic to comic, with some of it being truly stunning, while other pages seemed crude by comparison. Keen(e)-eyed fans should also spot what I assume is an alternate version of one of his favourite characters in a great cameo that links even this graphic novel into his larger multiverse.

Overall - cameos aside - I found The End to be a little disappointing (especially after the excellent Before The After), but if you've read this far in the series, you're going to read this no matter what any review says. Which is exactly as it should be.

3 Not Quite There Vaccines for The Last Zombie: The End.

[47Time · Rating 4 out of 5]

Warner, Ian, Ananti, Johnson and Fulton are interrogated by a Chicago-stationed faction led by a politician named Harrow. They aren't cooperating. Planters wasn't captured and is now trying to free them with help from a woman named Frankie who is part of a rival faction that wants to overthrow Harrow. They have a couple of informants in Harrow's base and are planning to assault it. Meanwhile Ian's infection is getting to the point where he can't control himself.

Frankie's people move onto Harrow's base during a power outage created by their informants. Planters and Frankie go their own way to find the captives. Ian attacks his captors with renewed strength from the infection, but he regains his consciousness when Planters gets to him. The team manages to capture Harrow himself to ensure a fairly clean getaway. Ian's only intention is to say goodbye to the woman he loves. Warner decides that he is still part of the team and that they need to finish the mission.

While scavanging for gas Ian is captured by a family that has resorted to cannibalism because of the lack of food caused by the plague. He gets saved by the others, but not before almost losing control again.

They reach the Virginia FEMA bunker where, after beng identified, they're welcomed. It turns out that communication was reestablished between the bunkers, so Warner's men feel like their trip was useless. Warner explains that they managed to reunite Ian with his fiancee, even if just to say goodbye before he died.

The ending is in classic horror story format. The men Ian bit in Chicago became infected and they are now shown resurrected from a mass grave. Frankie's group have replaced Harrow, but will they be able to prevent a new outbreak?

[Jonathan Echevarria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the last book in the five volume series of The Last Zombie. I have given the entire series a whopping 4.5 stars because I enjoyed it very much. I would recommend it to anyone with a zombie itch to scratch.

There are some things I didn't like about the series. The artist for example didn't do any wonders for me. There were never any scenes that left me feeling awed or inspired. He or she didn't draw the characters different enough, leaving me feeling confused as to which character bit the dust in the beginning of the series.

At the end though the series started to look much better and the artwork cleaned up a lot.

The ending was a little silly, but for the most part I enjoyed the fun ride!