BOOK REVIEWS / The Craving / Kristen Renee Gorlitz
Writer Kristen Renee Gorlitz and her team of collaborators have released a graphic novel entitled The Craving. Independently published through Mindweird Media, the story traces a zombie apocalypse and how it affects one couple. Before you complain about the oversaturation of zombie themed stories in literature, comics, and film, consider reading the graphic novel. Whereas Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead helped reinvigorate the horror subgenre and solidify modern zombie tropes, Gorlitz’s The Craving is more so concerned with character development and inverting reader expectations. This results in an intelligent and diverting story.
Originally conceived as a screenplay, The Craving revolves around the relationship between Derrick and his wife Helen. Derrick is introduced as a chef at the beginning of the story. He closes the restaurant early in order to surprise his wife with a nice dinner and share the good news that he has finally paid off the mortgage to their house. However, upon returning home he discovers Helen has been cheating on him with his business partner Charlie. On top of that, the outside world is going to hell outside due to a recent zombie apocalypse. Trapped with nowhere to go, they must wait for help. To make matters worse, Helen begins to display symptoms and develop a taste for human flesh.
Where any practical character would most likely not hesitate to shoot, we must remember that Derrick is in love. Sure, his wife cheated on him. Yes, he angrily tried to kill Charlie as a result. No, his and Helen’s structural home cannot fill the empty spaces in their hearts since they’ve grown apart. But Derrick tries because he loves her. This connection reminded me of how Shaun in Shaun of the Dead hides his zombified friend Ed in the backyard shed where they continue to play video games.
Instead of dispatching of Helen’s zombified body, Derrick works to amend things. He undertakes haphazard DIY projects—taking out a wall to create the photo studio she always wanted—and cooking a human flesh feast solely for her from Charlie’s arm.
While some of the elements within might feel comically absurd, they are never over the top. As screenwriter Peter Atkins (Hellbound: Hellraiser II, Wishmaster) notes in his introduction to the graphic novel, the story isn’t a sitcom or soap opera—it is equally a horror story. I agree with Atkin’s assessment, but feel the horror elements come second to the dysfunctional love story. There is plenty of gore in the story.
But through Eli Powell’s beautifully detailed black and white artwork, the focus shifts from the horror elements to the characters. Dismemberment and violence is quite detailed, but the lack of color allows the reader to engage more emotionally with Derrick and Helen’s predicament. Similarly, Marshall Dillon’s lettering makes it easy to follow the narrative and speakers. While I occasionally find graphic novels lacking in substance, The Craving contains depth that transcends its genre origins. In addition, the bonus material detailing the story’s journey to fruition is quite fascinating, as well as the “Recipe” cover art design and colors by Jeanne Vadeboncoeur.
Granted, Gorlitz’s addition to the zombie tradition may not cater to readers looking for more action and body horror. However, others may appreciate the slice of life she has carved out that involves these two relatable characters.
Sean Woodard serves as the Film Editor for Drunk Monkeys, a staff writer for Horrorbuzz, and a Co-Producer of the faith and spirituality podcast, Ordinary Grace. Focusing on a wide variety of interests, Sean’s fiction, film criticism, and other writings have been featured in Los Angeles Review of Books, NonBinary Review, Cultured Vultures, and Los Angeles Magazine, among other publications. He is currently a doctoral student at University of Texas at Arlington.
