Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Writer: Paul Tobin
Artist: Jacob Chabot
Publication Date: October 28th 2015

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The Plants vs Zombies comics from Dark Horse have been an excellent accompaniment to the popular video game series. The games (which are incredibly fun) are essentially power defence strategy games, but with the comics it’s allowed for an ongoing story to be told outside of them, while still being very much connected. The latest series – Garden Warfare by Paul Tobin (Marvel Adventures) and Jacob Chabot (Spongebob) serves is prequel to next year’s Garden Warfare 2, chronicling the events leading up to it.

‘’It’s a brand-new day in Neighborville. A sleepy, unsuspecting day, full of new things.’’ But none of the residents expect the evil that’s about to come. The dastardly Dr. Zomboss has managed to get his tiny black gloved hands on a metallic butt from the future – a metallic butt with the power to create an army of miniature zombies. Zomboss plans on bringing forth a dark age of unhappiness for Neighborville, and it’s up to 2 kids and the neighbourhood plants to fend off the invaders.

Tie-in comics to video games and movies can be frustrating. It’s an awful lot to keep up with at times. However, with a series like Garden Warfare I think it adds some welcome depth to the franchise and is sure to hold those eagerly waiting the new game over until it arrives. But that’s not to say that those who haven’t played the games can’t pick up the comics and enjoy them either. If anything, it’ll just make them want to pick up the video games and see what all the fuss is about, although it can be read as both a companion piece as well as a standalone adventure. Bottom line: If you haven’t played the games or have no interest in doing so, it doesn’t mean you should be deprived of this wacky adventure.

Garden Warfare is wacky, childish, innocent and a joy to read. To appreciate it, you’ll need to be in touch with your inner child. The humour is very much targeted to a younger audience, but it’d take a fervent cynic not to smile reading this. Maybe I’m just immature for my age, but I laughed out loud more than once at the zany shenanigans, which includes zombie imps, warrior plants and a mysterious sub-plot involving goats.

Garden Warfare is fun mayhem for all ages. It takes real brains to write silliness this smart. The series is off to a great start and contains all the ridiculousness, exuberance, laughs and heart you want it to. If you have kids, buy it for them so you can steal it for yourself. If you don’t, buy it anyway and read it with pride.

Rating: 4/5.

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The writer of this piece was: Kieran Fisher
Kieran Tweets from @HairEverywhere_

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