Yesterday, Vertigo Comics published the first issue of a comic called iZombie, written by Chris Roberson and drawn by Michael Allred. It's very much the first issue of a comic book—we meet Gwen, a gravedigger, and her collection of friends, including a moddish 1960s ghost named Ellie, and we're handed a whole passel of exposition as Gwen introduces us to the darker, more supernatural side of Eugene Oregon.

Part of the saving grace of iZombie is Mike Allred's artwork. Allred draws in a clean, cartoonish style that evokes early 1960s comics, and it's a relief to see his work here; this isn't a traditional-looking horror comic, with way too much shadow and grimacing. It's snappy-looking, and that sense of fun makes the horrific moments—some brain-eating, naturally—stand out sharply.

Despite the atrocious series name (press materials vary between I, Zombie, IZombie, or iZombie. Since the cover says the latter, that's the one I use), iZombie #1 is a fun, sassy, disturbing comic that could turn into an addictive monthly fix. You should check it out; the first issue is only $1.