Alhambra, California. Located not far from Downtown Los Angeles and Pasadena, Alhambra is a small, but thriving city proud of its large Asian and Hispanic population. Main Street here has seen a true rebirth in recent years as a wealth of new businesses, restaurants, and entertainment venues has turned a once neglected stretch of road into one that teems with life on any given evening. Yes, Alhambra is a city on the rise. Or at least it was, until the tragic events of Saturday, February 6, 2010 when it found itself victim to a flash mob of the LIVING DEAD.

Thankfully, casualties were relatively few as most folks out and about that evening were safely inside local diners and shops, but that did not stop the zombies from horrifying everybody banging on doors and windows as they passed, their mournful combined moans heard from a considerable distance away.

It’s hard to think of the undead having anything on their minds (besides getting their bony hands on our meaty bits), but these shambling creatures were different. They wanted BBBRRRAAAIIINNNSSS! No, wait, I mean AAARRRTTT! And find it they did at the incredible Zombies In Love show opening at the always awesome Gallery Nucleus.

Petite Asian girls did their best to hold back the zombie throng, but it was no use. The monsters forced their way in and all bets were off for me and the rest of the living now trapped in both the exhibition space and the kick-ass gallery store in which the rotting mob now swarmed.

Much to my relief though, zombies are instantly placated by astounding artwork and DJ’s spinning deep beats, so everything was as fine as Linnea Quigley from that point forward.

With Valentine’s Day around the corner it makes sense that zombies should feel the need for some companionship too, and many of the pieces in the Zombies In Love show reflected this directly, of course.

William B. Hand contributed this impressive piece proving that true love does not have to end at the grave.

Zombies In Love (Red) by William B. Hand

Chris Lane, illustrator of the excellent new book Zombies: A Record of the Year of Infection, showed us that the vow “till death do us part” doesn’t hold true for everyone.

The Bride and Groom by Chris Lane

Chris was on hand at the show to sign copies of the book and talk to fans. I really could not say more about what a friendly, cool guy Chris is, and the book (written by Don Roff and told from the point of view of a doctor whose journal records the first year of a zombie breakout) comes very highly recommended.

Chris Lane with Zombie Bride Janet Chu

Japanese art superstar Junko Mizuno had two amazing new pieces at the show rendered in her trademark cute/grotesque style. Marvel fans may recall Junko’s extremely wigged-out Spider Man story she created for the recent mini-series Strange Tales.

Ravenous: Cinderella by Junko Mizuno

Ravenous: Akko by Junko Mizuno

This watercolor by Rodney Fuentebella shows that even the relentless undead deserve a vacation once in a while.

Bella Venezia by Rodney Fuentebella

Even in a gallery filled with great art this piece by Jeremy Enecio really stood out. Rendered in watercolors and acrylics, this zombie portrait is really beautiful even with the morbid subject. The level of realism and soft details reminded me more of the great Pre-Raphaelite painters like Arthur Hughes or Anthony Sandys than any contemporary artist. Maybe this is what Millais’ Ophelia would have looked like if she came back from the dead.

Skin Deep by Jeremy Enecio

Several pieces of the show had a lighter tone to them and of these you could not beat this new work by Scott C. titled Zombie Fair.

Zombie Fair by Scott C.

Scott is a contributor to the indie comic Hickee and also applies his talents to designing video games like Brutal Legend and the much loved Psychonauts. Here he packs so much detail and visual jokes into the piece that it really needs to be seen first hand to take it all in. Still, check out the detail below to get a better idea of what his work is all about.

Zombie Fair is also available from Gallery Nucleus as a very limited print (edition of 50) so those interested should act quickly as they will not last long.

Indie comic creator Graham Annable had a series of five pieces that together told a silent, bittersweet story about a lonely zombie wandering through the woods seeking companionship. The ultimately uplifting (and morbid) end of the tale made a big impression on people I talked to at the show. The following is my favorite of the five in which our zombie sees a campfire in the distance. Is it possible for the undead to feel hope?

Bush Jacket 2 by Graham Annable

Painter Brian Smith had examples of his very impressive work on display. His style is like a hybrid of H.R. Giger, Cam de Leon, and Zdzislaw Beksinski.

To Take You Away by Brian Smith

Zombies hold no prejudices when it comes to same sex relationships, as proven it this eye-poppingly vibrant artwork  by Ippei Gyoubu. Zombies disapprove of Prop 8!

Love Zombie Love by Ippei Gyoubu

There were also many great sculptural works in the show including this highly detailed (and life-sized) bust of an undead rebel soldier by Martin Astles.

Uncle Reb by Martin Astles

This series of decomposing heads was supplied by Greg Nicotero and the make-up geniuses of the KNB EFX group.

Decomposition by KNB EFX (Greg Nicotero)

On a lighter note, Anna Chambers had several of her stuffed, felt zombie babies on display at the show.

Blue Zombie Baby by Anna Chambers

This may not seem like the most appropriate type of stuffed toy for a child at first. Unless, of course, the child in question is a ZOMBIE BABY HERSELF!

Even with all the above there was much more going down at Nucleus than a zombie walk and the awesome artwork. In the upstairs atrium gallery there was a zombie model posing for sketches courtesy of the alternative figure drawing collective known as Dr. Sketchy LA , run by Bob Self of Baby Tattoo Books.

Dr. Sketchy LA zombie figure model Miette

The great special efx gore make-up on the model, as well on the entire staff of Gallery Nucleus and zombie bride Janet Chu, was the work of the talented Christine Hayashi.

Here is Nucleus curator Wade Buchanan looking extra sharp with several pieces of glass that have punctured his face.

There were other fun tidbits to the evening as well like zombified hip-hop dance troupe Teen Groov, a “live” zombie shooting range, and hourly raffles and giveaways.

To close my coverage of Zombies In Love I have to mention my favorite pieces of the show, supplied by the incomparable William Stout. Clearly having some fun with iconic imagery, these pieces are great examples of the level of artistry Stout brings to all of his work.

Buck Zombie by William Stout

The beloved Easter story of the resurrection of Jesus is a natural choice for a zombie-style reimagining .

Happy Easter by William Stout

Lastly, that most famous piece of art in the western world: the Mona Lisa. I’ve always wondered what she was thinking of with that delicate closed-mouth smile on her face. Now I know: BRAINS!

Mona Zombie by William Stout

Zombies In Love will run until February 22nd at Gallery Nucleus. I really couldn’t possibly recommend this exhibition more to anyone interested in the current state of the contemporary alternative art scene. Plus, since the opening night zombie walk is over, the chances of being randomly attacked on the streets of Alhambra by a shambling member of the undead is unlikely at best… I hope.

Details:  Zombies In Love, February 6th - 22nd @ Gallery Nucleus (210 E. Main St., Alhambra CA 91801 (626) 458-7477   gallerynucleus.com)

John Mueller

john@comicimpact.com