Post-apocalyptic and dystopian stories are some of the most popular genres in the medium of comics. There’s a gluttony of them out there. In this post, we run you through five of our favourites!
From lesser-known comics like Empire of the Dead, to one of the world’s biggest zombie franchises, this list compiles five outstanding post-apocalyptic and dystopian graphic novels. Whether you’re a zombie fan, a vampire person, or you just like reading about the end of the world, at least one of these will be perfect for you.
Y: The Last Man
What happens when a mysterious plague wipes out every male human in existence, except for one man? Well, wonder no more. Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra’s comic Y: The Last Man answers these questions. And to put it simply: chaos ensues.
The comic takes place after a cataclysmic event has purged everything with a Y chromosome, meaning all males are dead. Except for Yorick Brown and his pet monkey Ampersand. Their immunity to the plague is a mystery. And naturally, as the last living male, he’s needed to repopulate the Earth. Once he’s discovered, Yorick is put under the protection of Agent 355, an agent from the Culper Ring.
The series is an interesting, speculative study of humanity that blends humour and action with social commentary.
Y: The Last Man was adapted into a TV show in 2021, but the live-action adaptation was sadly axed after one season. Many think it wasn’t given the chance to shine. The show had great moments, although ultimately it failed to grow enough viewership figures to merit more seasons. The comics, on the other hand, are a much better version of the story. And they’re complete, so there’s no need to worry about a premature ending.
Y: The Last Man is available on Kindle.
Crossed
Crossed is a dark comic series created by Garth Ennis (the mind behind The Boys and Preacher) with illustrations by Jacen Burrows. It’s easily the darkest, most brutal, disturbing and gruesome comic on this list. It’s not for the faint-hearted; consider yourself warned.
So what’s the premise? A virus infects humanity, but instead of turning them into brainless zombies, it brings out people’s demons. People become disturbingly sadistic and homicidal. The virus strips every bit of empathy out of those infected. The infected or “Crossed,” — as named because of the distinctive cross that appears on their faces — quickly take over the world.
The series has had much critical acclaim over the years, and it also merited various spinoff projects. Notably, comics legend Alan Moore wrote his own run set in the Crossed universe, titled Crossed +100, taking place a century after the outbreak.
Empire of the Dead
What initially drew me to Empire of the Dead was that it was written by George A. Romero — one of my favorite filmmakers ever. Romero is the mastermind of some of the most iconic zombie movies, such as Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead. So naturally, when I saw that he had written a graphic novel, I couldn’t contain my hype.
And my hype paid off. Empire of the Dead is terrific. Written by Romero and illustrated by Alex Maleev, it’s not just a zombie comic, but also a vampire story. The story is set in a walled-off New York City, where humans try to survive the outbreak. But aside from zombies, there’s also a cunning society of vampires that lurk in the shadows.
The seamless blend of humans, zombies and vampires makes for a fascinating comic. It’s got plenty of action, of course, but it also dives into cultural issues and political intrigue, which is indicative of Romero’s work.
Empire of the Dead is the perfect gritty, post-apocalyptic novel for those seeking to dive a little deeper into the genre. It offers something unique, while still retaining Romero’s signature style.
Empire of the Dead can be found on Kindle.
The Last of Us: American Dreams
Naughty Dog’s zombie games The Last of Us and The Last of Us: Part II are two of the most critically acclaimed video games of all time.
Directed by Neil Druckmann, the games are equal parts thrilling and deeply emotional, exploring the growing bond between Ellie — a girl who appears immune to the zombie virus– and Joel Miller, who’s tasked with escorting her across post-apocalyptic America to a group of doctors who plan to develop a vaccine from her blood. The U.S. they traverse is rife with dangers from the living, and zombie-like beings infected by a mutated strain of the Cordyceps fungus.
The Last of Us has also merited a brilliant TV adaptation at HBO, starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey. The series will return for its second season in 2025. If you’ve played the games and seen the show but you’re still craving more, Druckmann has also written a The Last of Us graphic novel, with art from Faith Erin Hicks. The 4-issue comic, subtitled American Dreams, serves as a prequel to the first game. It chronicles Ellie’s arrival in Boston quarantine zone, and further develops her friendship with Riley Abe.
The graphic novel was a critical and commercial success and has become a must-read for The Last of Us fans. It can be purchased on Amazon here.
The Walking Dead
Okay, I’ve got to be honest here. I’m a little bias. I love The Walking Dead. It’s probably my favorite comic series ever. Robert Kirkman writes such deeply emotional stories that resonate with readers. Sure, the zombies might take a back seat at times, but the characters are all so fleshed out. It’s a long-running, epic saga of survival, where the living pose just as much danger as the dead.
Moreover, The Walking Dead comics are undergoing something of a resurgence right now. Since 2020, the entire series has been gradually being reprinted as The Walking Dead: Deluxe. Now it’s in full-colour thanks to Dave McCaig, who’s done a stellar job at making panels and pages pop. If you’ve not read The Walking Dead or you want to give it a re-read, The Walking Dead: Deluxe is the best option to do so!
The Walking Dead: Deluxe is available on Kindle.
