Art by Michelle Lino, Writing by Carlos Yacolca
Before We Sail sets out to tell a zombie survival story in Lima, Peru—a premise that immediately sets it apart from the countless apocalyptic tales we’ve seen so far. The comic has strong moments, and it’s one that you’ll want to follow if you love horror and pirates.
Art & Visuals
Michelle Lino’s artwork is easily one of the book’s strongest aspects. The art is effective, dynamic, and stylish, with character designs that feel distinct and expressive. The art captures the emotional intensity of the story’s many fraught moments. Lino also shows a keen sense of pacing; the way action flows across panels helps maintain a sense of tension throughout the story. It’s a gritty well illustrated story that you’ll enjoy reading and following along with.
Writing & Story
Carlos Yacolca’s script clearly shows familiarity with zombie fiction. The tropes are here: melancholy narration, selfish human choices, overwhelming dread, and bursts of unfathomable violence. That familiarity makes the story fun, but also a little predictable. Which is great for people like me who don’t like surprises but do enjoy a sense of normalcy while reading fiction.
A story set in South America in a city as rich and complex as Lima could offer perspectives we rarely see in zombie fiction. There are small nods to local realities, such as the scarcity of guns and ammunition due to stricter firearm laws, the setting feels more like a backdrop than a lived-in environment. We never quite get the sense of what surviving this nightmare would mean specifically for Lima and its people. We’re hopeful that additional issues could elaborate more on these social commentaries.
There’s so much potential in the premise. Lima, with its dense urban neighborhoods, sprawling coastal districts, and layered history, could shape the narrative in ways that differentiate it from U.S.-centric zombie stories. The cultural markers feel like footnotes all coming together to create a solid backbone for the tale.
Final Thoughts
Before We Sail is a solid zombie comic full of potential. The art is strong, the storytelling excellent, and the creators clearly know the genre well. It’s one that we recommend you add to your read pile and we’re excited to share with you where you can access it.
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Verdict:
Worth checking out if you’re a fan of zombie fiction and want to see how a Peruvian creative team approaches the genre.
