Truth be told, I hate zombies. From The Walking Dead to the zillions of zombie apocalypse survival guides out there, the zombie genre has become the nerdy inside joke we’ve let grow way out of hand. Still, as a comic book artist, I’m obliged to tell at least one zombie tale in my fledgling career — so I’m glad my yarn could be spun around Bob Leeper’s “Zombie Santa!”
Bob donned the Zombie Santa garb during Evermore Nevermore’s holiday events, and I can think of no better mascot for his strange little shop in downtown Mesa. Bob and Santa both have beards, for one, but, most importantly, they’re both givers. Bob gave local artists (like me) a place to sell their work and meet with potential fans on Second Fridays. And, like a zombie, he defied the death that was downtown Mesa — at least, enough to interest other shop owners like him to consider the area for their businesses, as well.
Now, while Evermore Nevermore as a store is closed, its spirit clearly still thrives. So, you better watch out. You better not cry. You better not pout. Why?
Zombie Santa came to downtown. It isn’t allegory. It’s a fact.
— Russ Kazmierczak, Jr.
http://karaokefanboypress.
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