Review by Ian Keogh

As the cover indicates, Crueler Than Dead is extremely graphic, so not for the unwary. Artist Kozo Takahashi illustrates the horrors of cannibalism and injury with almost medical realism and precision.

The cannibalism is because a disease has afflicted humanity, endowing them with super strength as they battle for the flesh of others. Their only weakness is being unable to withstand sunlight. Thankfully there is one last hope for people in the form of Maki, a teenage girl and a young boy, Shota. They’ve been administered with a vaccine and given further portable doses and while their treatment lab has now been overrun, they have instructions to reach a refugee centre. However, saying and doing are completely different, and the road is packed with dangers.

Tsukasa Saimura’s plot is disturbing in so many ways, yet a viable interpretation of what could happen if society devolves. Rule of the strongest is almost a certainty, and the group of men Maki runs into are appallingly upfront about their intentions regarding her, reflecting how the few who’re not transformed all seem to lack a conscience. This is hardly a complete examination, though, as Saimura’s extrapolation only features the action elements without concerning itself with niceties such as what people eat. At least in this opening volume.

Takahashi’s art is phenomenal, the delicacy of the linework and the rendition of motion at odds with the gruesome subject matter. However, as noted, when it comes to gruesome, Takahashi doesn’t hold back. A scene of a soldier with their leg almost chewed off will haunt for a long time, so be glad this is a black and white project.

Crueler Than Dead starts in a way ensuring readers are as disoriented as the protagonists, with no explanation of background beforehand, which is a great opening. It’s strange, then, that the longest chapter ends this first part of this two volume set, flashing back to look at what happened to set everything off. It’s horrific, but appears completely unnecessary.

Move beyond the phenomenal art and so far Crueler Than Dead is interesting without ever transcending the type of post-apocalyptic events you’re likely to have seen before in comics or films. However, don’t write this off too soon as Volume 2 really steps up the surprises.