Kickstarter underway to fund zombie graphic novel ‘Lone Tales’

By Chris Post

The zombie genre has always existed at the crossroads of science fiction and horror and so it makes sense that this is where writer and co-creator Nick Goode found inspiration for his latest project, “Lone Tales,” a 124-page graphic novel that immerses readers in two distinct yet interconnected post-apocalyptic stories. 

Goode describes the project as a thrilling blend of sci-fi, thriller, and horror, likening it to a cross between “Minority Report” and “28 Days Later.” With a release that promises to captivate fans of the genre, “Lone Tales” is set to take readers on a haunting journey through a divided and ravaged London.

The first story, titled “Whistleblower,” is set in 2079, while the second story, “Odyssey,” unfolds in the year 2154. Both narratives are part of the larger Snow Universe, a world created by Goode and his collaborator Harry Hughes. The Snow Universe, primarily based in a divided London, consists of ten boroughs protected by dam walls. However, Goode reveals that the project initially lacked an end point, prompting him to conceive the idea of “the last tale that’s told in this universe.”

Inspiration struck Goode while researching the consequences of climate change, particularly the notion that rising waters could carry more diseases. This realization led him to envision a zombie-infested London, where the collapse of the dam walls unleashes infected water upon the city’s inhabitants. The result is a high-stakes race against time in “Odyssey,” as a family struggles to reach the last spaceship departing Earth. To emphasize the urgency, the story periodically features time stamps, heightening the intensity and suspense.

When asked about his role models in the zombie genre, Goode expressed deep admiration for influential figures such as Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard, and George A. Romero. He credits these giants of the industry for establishing the visual standards and intensity that define the genre. 

“Romero set the visual bar and intensity on film, Kirkman and Adlard brought zombies to comics in an incredibly beautiful way,” he said.

Goode also acknowledged the impact of Alex Garland and Danny Boyle’s “28 Days Later,” as well as the creators of the Resident Evil series and The Last of Us video game, which offered him a more realistic approach to horror.

While Goode is the driving force behind “Lone Tales,” he emphasizes the collaborative nature of the project. He co-wrote “Odyssey” with his close friend Luke Barnes, adopting an intriguing writing method that involved alternating four-page segments. The art for “Odyssey” and the broader Snow Universe was skillfully handled by co-creator Harry Hughes, renowned for his captivating and macabre illustrations. Will Gillingham and Stuart McGarey contributed their talents to the sci-fi thriller segment of “Lone Tales,” called “Whistleblower.”

To bring “Lone Tales” to life, Goode launched a Kickstarter campaign that runs until June 10. The campaign aims to raise funds for printing and compensating the creative team. Backers can support the project by pledging various amounts and can choose rewards such as digital or physical copies of the graphic novel. For zombie enthusiasts, there’s even a special tier called “The Headshot,” where backers receive a personalized digital illustration of themselves as a zombie, suitable for social media or other digital platforms. Regardless of the tier, all backers will have their names included in the book as a token of appreciation.

Looking ahead, Goode has several projects in the pipeline. He is collaborating with Álvaro Molina on a World War II comic titled “Sussex,” scheduled for crowdfunding with Foreign Press Comics later this year. Additionally, Goode is working on a collection of short stories set in a world where 99.4% of the population mysteriously dies in their sleep.