Zombie in Love (review)

Despite the love zombies have been getting from books and cinema as of late, apparently being undead is still a bit of a turnoff for most people, as poor Mortimer finds out in his attempts to secure a date for Cupid’s Ball. He tries everything from chocolates to roses to diamonds and while, sure, most of his offerings are worm-ridden or in some state of decay, his heart is in the right place—even if it’s not beating anymore. Just when it seems that all is lost and that even online dating and personal ads can’t bring Mortimer his ladylove, a beautiful and slightly rotting girl shows up and the two live—er, unlive? die?—happily ever after. DiPucchio (author of Grace for President, BCCB 3/08) treats this tale of undead courtship with the utmost sincerity, offering a rather straightforward text to pair with the visual stylings of Campbell, and the contrast is largely humorously effective: Mortimer freshening up his breath with some Death Mints is particularly amusing, as is the double-page spread of his hideous wide-eyed, gap-toothed grin. While the muted palette sometimes turns a little muddy, the watercolor art has an appropriate mood of gloom and grossness, and readers will enjoy picking out the weird details (Mortimer’s literal mouse pad, his missing arm at the gym, etc.). Young fans of the macabre will get a kick out of Mortimer’s awkward attempts at romance, so have this one ready for storytime around Halloween and Valentine’s Day.