The Zombie Hunters is a Canadian webcomic

Webcomic

Webcomics, online comics, or Internet comics are comics published on a website. While many are published exclusively on the web, others are also published in magazines, newspapers or often in self-published books....

 written and illustrated by Jenny Romanchuk. The series began as a joke for her friends, but later developed into a long-term project. Romanchuk draws inspiration from personal life, basing characters and setting on friends and her hometown of Sault Ste Marie

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Sault Ste. Marie is a city on the St. Marys River in Algoma District, Ontario, Canada. It is the third largest city in Northern Ontario, after Sudbury and Thunder Bay, with a population of 74,948. The community was founded as a French religious mission: Sault either means "jump" or "rapids" in...

 in Ontario

Ontario

Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....

, Canada

Canada

Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...

. The comic started in 2006 and is ongoing. The website is designed and managed by Gregory Adams, who married Jenny in 2009.

The story is about a group of scavengers

Waste picker

A waste picker, recycler, rag picker, salvager, binner, informal resource recoverer, poacher, or a scavenger, is a person who salvages recyclable elements from mixed waste...

 whose work involves salvaging useful materials from zombie-infested urban wastelands. They live in a small island colony of human survivors who have preserved civilization after a widespread outbreak

Outbreak

Outbreak is a term used in epidemiology to describe an occurrence of disease greater than would otherwise be expected at a particular time and place. It may affect a small and localized group or impact upon thousands of people across an entire continent. Two linked cases of a rare infectious...

 of zombies. The comic takes a new twist to the average zombie story: zombification is caused by a virus

Virus

A virus is a small infectious agent that can replicate only inside the living cells of organisms. Viruses infect all types of organisms, from animals and plants to bacteria and archaea...

 which turns humans only after death, and most of the population of the island is infected by the dormant virus.

While zombies are common in popular culture

Popular culture

Popular culture is the totality of ideas, perspectives, attitudes, memes, images and other phenomena that are deemed preferred per an informal consensus within the mainstream of a given culture, especially Western culture of the early to mid 20th century and the emerging global mainstream of the...

 and can be found in many successful novels, comics and video games, there are many similarities between the zombie classes of The Zombie Hunters and the video game Left 4 Dead

Left 4 Dead

Left 4 Dead is a cooperative first-person shooter video game. It was developed by Turtle Rock Studios, which was purchased by Valve Corporation during development. The game uses Valve's proprietary Source engine, and is available for Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360 and Mac OS X...

. However, the author explicitly stated that she had not played the game and the zombies were created and posted long before the games first release, independently inventing them without influence from Left 4 Dead.

Jenny Romanchuk, the web comic designer of The Zombie Hunters, is one of the Sault College Graduates Nominated for Premier’s Awards. These graduates were selected by Sault College as individuals who demonstrate outstanding career success related to their college experience, and who made significant contributions to their community.

History

The Zombie Hunters begins after the outbreak of a mysterious virus which turns people into undead flesh eaters. The virus has two stages: dormant and active. The virus can be spread if infected blood or other bodily fluids enters an open wound or orifice. The virus will lie dormant for as long as the host is alive. It only enters the active stage after the host dies, at which time the virus reanimates them as a Zombie. Given the nature of the virus, the world has been divided into three groups of people: Zombies, Infected, and Uninfected. The latter two groups have found a safe haven on A.R.C. Island. They live separately from the uninfected population to prevent contagion.

The A.R.C.

The A.R.C. or, Argus Research Campus, was built years before the Outbreak. It was a secretive research facility on a secluded island, only accessible by air or sea. The Campus is now a haven for remaining scientists and the surrounding island is home to civilians able to escape the Outbreak.

Zombie hunters

The comic follows a team of Zombie Hunters. They are all infected with the virus which lies dormant in them until their deaths. The Zombie Hunters, unlike the infected civilians on the A.R.C. Island, choose to go out on dangerous missions into the wastes to find supplies vital to the survival of all the other people living on the A.R.C. The Survival rate is low, yet the Red Halos seem to find people crazy enough to take the task.

Red Halo

Made up mostly of military and science personnel, the Red Halos are the last bastion of society. They operate out of A.R.C. island and are in charge of keeping the remaining survivors (both uninfected and infected) alive. A committee of the most distinguished scientists, Military officers, and businessmen lead the Red Halos in their mission.

Zombie classes

• Basilisk - The Basilisk is not particularly quick or cunning. In order to get in close to its prey, the basilisk paralyzes its victim from afar with its bio-luminescent gaze. The A.R.C. has yet to determine how this is possible. More than a second or two of eye contact with a basilisk causes the victim to experience seizure-like symptoms. Their muscles spasm and they are unable to move. This allows the basilisk to make its slow, steady approach and come in for the kill.
• Berserker - The Berserker is a rare, sadistic class of zombie. They are one of the most intelligent classes and have the ability to learn from example to open doors and use simple tools. They relish pain in their victims and will take measures to ensure that the kill is as gory as possible. Berserkers are the only class of zombie with dynamic facial expressions; they often grin while taking their prey. They will not bite their victims initially, but prefer to torture them slowly for prolonged periods until the victim is completely unresponsive. Beserkers typically travel alone but may be seen in groups of 10-20. They can run up to speeds of 30 mph.
• Crawler - Crawlers are the first class of zombie we are introduced to in the comic. They are the most common and least dangerous class of zombie. They wait around in the wastes for some unlucky passersby to fall into their clutches. Crawlers are very slow and not terribly intelligent, but they tend to travel in hordes. The horde is particularly dangerous because, although it is slow, it is practically unstoppable and will continue to steadily corner its prey. Perhaps even more dangerous is the camouflage a horde provides; basilisks and spitters often travel with hordes of crawlers. They are almost indistinguishable from other zombies and this allows them to get within range of their victims.
• Howler - In close proximity, a howler's cry can cause vomiting, vertigo, and at times loss of consciousness. They are not very quick but their cries can often debilitate a victim, making them vulnerable to even the slowest attack. Howlers are the most recently discovered class of zombie. They are not terribly problematic because their cries are only effective from close proximity (around ten feet).
• Hunter - Hunters are lithe and acrobatic. They use stealth and agility to capture their prey. Hunters have been known to follow their victims for days, often completely unnoticed. They prefer areas which provide a lot of coverage such as forests or abandoned buildings. Once a hunter decides to attack they generally rely on surprise and speed. They are perhaps the most cunning class of zombie and they prefer to work alone rather than travel with the mob or even with other hunters.
• Mercy - Mercies seek out the wounded and desperate. They will follow a weakened victim for days, even protecting them from other zombies, until the victim is unable to go on. They then deliver a fatal bite as gently as possible either to the neck or any other major artery. They then remain with their prey. They hold the victim still, preventing escape, but as the victim weakens the mercy will comfort and caress its prey. Mercies have been known to stay near or follow their victims even after they have turned. Many people desperate after the outbreak chose to commit suicide by seeking out a mercy.
• Spitter - Spitters can spew projectile, acidic saliva over great distances . Their saliva can infect a person upon contact and also cause severe skin burns. Spitters often hide within hoards of Crawlers and are easily recognizable because they have the body maimed by acid falling from their mouths.

Major characters

• Jenny Romanchuk - Jenny is the Zombie Hunters team leader. She is one of the first characters to appear in the comic. She has a troubled past and finds it difficult to be comfortable in the civilized community of the ARC. Jenny, like all of the Zombie Hunters, is infected with the virus in its dormant stage. She enjoys the adventure and straight forwardness of missions in the wastes. Her impetuous and bull-headed attitude often get her into trouble.
• Maureen Cavanaugh - Maureen is the first character named in the comic. She is a 25 year old mechanic and helicopter pilot. She is a member of the Zombie Hunter team and her job is to haul the other members around the wastes. Her assignments are often perilous but Maureen is always up to the job.
• Jasper Reyes - Jasper is the captain of the Red Halos High Military. He has risen to power since the outbreak of infection. This post-apocalyptic world seems to suit him well. There is friction between him and the Zombie Hunters.
• Samantha Lovi - Samantha is a combat surgeon which makes her an invaluable member of the Zombie Hunter team. She first appears in chapter one.
• Katie McWilliams - Master of Cartography and navigation. She has a photographic memory and an astounding sense of direction. She is a quiet, shy person and generally leaves the talking to others. She will often freeze up under stress. Like most of her team members, Katie has a troubled past.
• Charlie - Charlie is an ARC experiment called a half-life. He is infected with the virus in its active stage but the ARC has managed to suppress his urge to consume human flesh. They can control him using a chip which has been implanted in his brain. As a consequence of the experiment, Charlie has no memory of his previous life. He is hyper critical and prone to stress. He often causes friction within the Zombie Hunter Team by pointing out each tiny flaw he can find. This aside, he is a valuable member of the team given his condition and has proven himself to be loyal as seen in chapter one when he saves Katie's life.
• Milo Ritter - A natural born leader, he was the previous captain of a Zombie Hunter team. He is a clear thinker, and always does what is best for his friends.

Minor characters

• Isaac Mercer - Chief of Necrobiology for the Red Halos, Mercer is a skilled doctor and brilliant scientist. He is dedicated to finding a cure to the virus that caused the zombie outbreak.
• Arthur Adams - President of Red Halo Council, Adams is stern but fair. He tries his best to rebuild the small broken community of survivors that the Red Halos protect.
• Ilea Ermakova - One of the Red Halos, Llea is beautiful and thrives on the social gossip of the community. She is often seen about the Island, even venturing into infected zones from time to time.
• Jameson Walters - A new member of Milo's team, Jameson is bumbling and self-conscious. He wants to make his mother proud, yet can't seem to find a footing within the group.
• Dr. Megan Ellard - Dr. Ellard is head of the human behavioral sciences, yet often assists Dr. Mercer with Necrobiology. She is a caring, kind person who always strives to do the right thing.
• Masao Yakamura - The youngest of the Red Halo group, Masao represents the younger generation of ARC. He is a tech genius, and is responsible for the internet, electricity, and other commodities available on ARC.
• Omar Hasham Smith - Head of Logistics and Military, Smith directly controls the Red Halo military forces as well as the zombie hunter teams. He is strong and silent, taking his duty very seriously.
• Daniel Markowski - Daniel is the newest addition to the Zombie Hunter team. He is a religious sharp-shooter with a knack for directness and seemingly endless patience. In Chapter 4, Daniel is taken off of the Zombie Hunter team for unacceptable behavior/poor performance.

Chapter 1: A Good Idea at the Time

The story begins with the protagonists wandering around in a red zone. It is hinted that they were there looting when they became lost. Fellow teammate Maureen is searching for them by helicopter but they have begun to lose hope of survival and are beginning to blame each other. Charlie and Jenny begin fighting which attracts the attention of a group of crawlers. They flee to the rooftop of a nearby building and bar the doors. As the crawlers enter the building, Jenny attempts to rappel across a power line to another building using an shovel. She becomes stuck in the middle, dangling between the two buildings. The crawlers make it onto the rooftop and the rest of the party climbs onto the power line. By this time Maureen has found them and is attempting to land the helicopter. A spitter zombie's projectile causes the cable to begin to fray. Katie, who is hanging precariously from Jenny's feet falls into the crawlers below and Charlie drops down to save her. Then the power line breaks and the party falls.

Chapter 2: Displaced

The chapter opens with a flashback sequence of Jenny's past. The sequence ends when Sammie wakes Jenny and informs her that they are surrounded by crawlers. The girls determine that the only tools they have to work with are a shovel and an impromptu brick-flail. They begin fighting the crawlers. Charlie is searching for Katie among the zombies. We see that her unconscious body has been discovered by two crawlers who are preparing to dig in. Charlie arrives just in time to fight the zombies off. He bandages her head which she hit during the fall and begins to carry her to safety. However, there are still plenty of crawlers around. They confront Charlie saying, "give us the human, half-life." This is shocking, as zombies are assumed to be no more than aggressive beasts devoid of higher reasoning.

Chapter 3: Homeward Bound

Dan attempts to rescue Charlie and Katie by leading them through zombie-infested rooms and hallways, but he runs out of bullets. Meanwhile, Sammie and Jenny are keeping the crawlers at bay when Maureen and SGMGs (the gas-masked soldiers) rescue them. Soon afterward, Maureen rescues Dan, Charlie and Katie by lowering a ladder from the helicopter. On the way back to base, Sammie encourages Charlie in his melancholy, and Jenny has a fight with an SGMG. It is revealed that Jenny is the leader of the Zombie Hunters. Furthermore, it is revealed that contact with zombies may lead to zombification, but not in Charlie's case for some yet unknown reason.

Chapter 4: Tugging on Heartstrings

Elsewhere on Arc Island, a civil defense-style film is shown to schoolchildren. It reveals several important elements of the story, such as the process of zombification and the existence of otherwise normal humans infected with the zombification virus, who are permitted to live among the non-infected under certain restrictions. The Zombie Hunters are revealed to be scavengers with the goal of returning to Arc Island with any useful materials found in the wasteland. After landing and decontamination, Daniel is re-assigned due to unacceptable performance. Jenny is debriefed by Arthur, an authority over TZH, and it is revealed that Jenny and another person lived in the wasteland for years before being found by SGMGs. This second person is thought to be dead. Tensions rise in the group as Jenny is blamed for Arthur's severe punishment of the group.

Chapter 5: Better Than Most Days

In this chapter, the story flashbacks. Here we meet Milo and James for the first time. After rescuing Katie from crawlers, Milo realizes that they left James alone by himself. Milo returns to James and rescues him from the surrounding zombie mob. Later, Milo and Jenny have a conversation about James; they believe he is unfit for his position. Milo requested the placement officer to reassign him to a safer post. Meanwhile, James falls through the floor of an abandoned building and injures his legs. Milo and Katie attempt to rescue James, but he falls victim to an attacking zombie. Katie almost finds the same fate, but is rescued by Milo at the last instant.

Chapter 6: Life Goes On

The chapter opens after the team returns from their mission. Jenny is attempting to break into a quarantined storage building in search of alcohol, and stumbles upon Charlie as he is being experimented on by the doctors. She is caught by Dr. Ellard and Dr. Mercer, and is in danger of being jailed for attempting to steal and violating the quarantine zone. Megan believes Jenny should have another chance if she promises that she will refrain from such illegal activities, and speaks to no one of what she saw.

Chapter 7: Not a Circus

Dr. Isaac Mercer holds a conference for the members of Red Halo and the zombie hunters. Along with Dr. Megan Ellard, he reveals the “Half-Life” project and their test subject “0737”, otherwise known as Charlie. Charlie is a unique test subject; he is not completely alive or dead. Through the use of a special serum, the Doctors were able to suppress the urge of his undead side to eat the flesh of the living. He possesses no memories from his previous life, but he is lucid enough to function among humans. To demonstrate Charlie’s ability to take orders, Dr. Mercer has him defend Dr. Ellard against a Red Halo guard (Jasper). After taking a beating, Charlie retaliates against Jasper and nearly chokes him to death in the process. Dr. Ellard is able to call Charlie off before he kills Jasper, and Dr. Mercer informs the assembly that Charlie can be controlled by a special chip implanted in his head. After the meetings, Dr. Ellard berates Dr. Mercer for not informing her about the demonstration beforehand.

Chapter 8: Sticks and Stones

The chapter opens with Milo running through the barracks toward the group because they are late to their group assignment. As the group walks into town, a group of uninfected teens jeers at them. Katie flicks a rock at the bullies and hits one on the nose, giving him a nosebleed. When the group finally enters the assignment area, they are given “Island duty," or menial janitorial tasks. Most of the group refuses to do the work, leaving it up to Jenny and Milo. Meanwhile, Katie goes on a walk alone. During her walk through the forest, she gets cornered by the uninfected group of bullies. As they are about to attack in revenge, Katie experiences a flashback of a zombie attack. In her panicked state of mind, she pulls off a sharp piece of bark from the tree at her back and nearly stabs the bully to death. Jasper arrives and stops her just in time. Later, Jenny sorts through old photos of her previous life. She feels disconnected from the island, and fears that it will never feel like her home.

Chapter 9: Hello and Goodbye

Dr Ellard and Dr Mercer reveal in conversation that Dr Ellard is going to be taking a 2 month excursion to a heavily guarded coastal settlement which Dr Ellard describes as a "tent city". Dr Ellard introduces Charlie to the Zombie Hunters, and Jenny becomes agitated, referring to him as "it". Despite Jenny's anger, the rest of the team agree to take Charlie with them on their missions in the wasteland. Dr Ellard has a private conversation with Jenny and convinces her to put up with him and not to tell anyone that he was once a berserker. Sammie and Maureen show Charlie around their quarters. They give Jameson's room to Charlie, and Katie tells Charlie how Jameson died. Jenny comes into the room and taunts Charlie with an apple, which he cannot eat. Milo breaks up the scene. Later, Dr Ellard joins the Zombie Hunters in a cafe and gives Katie pills to help with some sort of "problem" which involves headaches and restlessness, and says to take them if she feels "cornered or panicked". The night before her departure, Dr Ellard meets Charlie in a park. They converse, and she confides in him her doubts that her team will ever be able to find a cure for the zombie virus. He encourages her, and the next day she leaves ARC island for the mainland.

External links

• Interview Q & A
• Webcomic Overlook Review
• Women in Horror: Jenny Romanchuk: Artist/Creator of the Zombie Hunters Interview
• Zombie Webcomics Jules Rivera
• EP77 - Influential Women in Webcomics: Jenny Romanchuk from Zombie Hunters
• Is this the Sault's coolest website?