Reiko the Zombie Shop Vol. #05

By Matthew Alexander     June 27, 2007
Release Date: December 20, 2006



Creative Talent
Writer/Artist:Rei Mikamoto
Translated by:Michael Gombos
Adapted by:

What They Say
When Reiko Himezono transfers to a new school, Saint Cross Gakuen, she's confronted with a whole new set of faces. Fitting in might be a bit of a problem, though, since everyone she meets seems to want her dead! Of course, Reiko won't go down without a fight.

As a Zombie Shop, she can raise the dead and call up obedient zombie servants from the very depths of Hell itself! But is she powerful enough to handle the dangers that wait for her around every school hall corner, or will this Zombie Shop be closed down for good?

The Review
This is one of a few titles I'm taking over for the staff reviewer god that was Jarred. He actually gave me a hard time because I wasn't reading this series and now I know why. It's pretty much right up my twisted alley with blood and gore, strong violence, campy horror action, and hot overdeveloped women! Yay for the hormones in milk, because it does a body good! Zombie Shop is definitely an interesting storyline and fills the horror void missing from the dark corner of my heart since marrying my scaredy cat wife. If you've been reading this series from the beginning then you are already familiar with all of these things. But if you haven't picked up this volume then you are missing some major developments in the meandering theme that pops up between the episodic chapters of this series.

Midori Yurikawa has failed in her rehabilitation after waking from a ten-year coma. She killed Reiko's best friend and then went on a killing spree, although not as devastating as her older sisters killing rampage. Despite all that has happened, there is some character development for Reiko as she realizes she has a lot in common with Midori. Not only did they both have sadistic older sisters, but if things had gone a little differently then Reiko might have ended up just like Midori. Reiko convinces herself that she needs to help Midori, but will things actually work out for the best? Let me just say that the resolution surprised the hell out of me.

Most of this volume follows Reiko as she seeks out her arch nemesis, along with the sudden appearance of the most powerful enemy to date. Yes, you wondered and now you know, Riruka is still alive! And she's still obsessed with ruling the world. She has found a boy toy with the ability to make bullets that turn people into mindless monsters that follow Riruka's every word. Aware of the danger, Reiko gathers some backup before facing her sister, but during the ensuing melee, the 'Star Collector' crashes the party. This Billy Badass is another 'Freak' with the ability to steal the star from other summoners and their zombies. Considering the Star Collector's body is covered with stars, he wields some serious power. Will he successfully rob Reiko and Riruka of their stars? Maybe. Along with that is another big development splashing across the very last page of this volume.