Alice Matheson #1–4 (2015)
🧬 Genre
Psychological Thriller, Medical Horror, Zombie Apocalypse, Crime Drama
Blending the cold precision of a medical procedural with the chaos of a zombie outbreak, Alice Matheson is a dark and cerebral dive into the mind of a killer nurse during the collapse of modern society. It challenges ethical boundaries, delving into sociopathy and survival in an increasingly lawless world.
👤 Main Characters
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Alice Matheson – A brilliant and beautiful ER nurse at St. Mary’s Hospital in London, who also happens to be a covert serial killer. Emotionally detached and manipulative, Alice thrives under pressure—until a zombie outbreak begins to challenge her sense of control.
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Dr. Jared Stein – A neurologist at the hospital and one of Alice’s closest colleagues. He grows increasingly suspicious of her as the chaos unfolds.
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Detective Marvin Fox – A seasoned investigator who begins looking into a string of unusual deaths, unknowingly closing in on Alice.
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Dr. Daryl Lerner – A high-ranking medical professional caught between scientific curiosity and fear as the undead epidemic spreads.
✍️ Writer
Jean-Luc Istin – A prolific French comic creator and writer known for his mastery in dark fantasy and psychological thrillers. In Alice Matheson, he crafts a chilling, multi-layered narrative that seamlessly blends horror, ethics, and suspense.
🎨 Artist
Philippe Vandaele – Brings a strikingly realistic style to the panels, capturing clinical precision in hospital scenes while delivering haunting depictions of violence and emotional numbness. His art makes the grotesque both intimate and cold.
✒️ Editor Details
Published under the editorial leadership of Soleil Productions, known for curating visually ambitious and narratively intense European comics. The English digital release was overseen by Delcourt Group via ComiXology, maintaining high translation and formatting quality.
🏢 Publisher and Brand
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Original Publisher: Soleil Productions (France)
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English Digital Publisher: Delcourt / ComiXology Originals
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Brand: Independent European Graphic Novels (Digital-First English Edition)
📅 Release Year
2015 (English Digital Editions Released via ComiXology)
🧟♀️ Brief Plot Summary
In the sterile corridors of St. Mary’s Hospital, nurse Alice Matheson is not just healing patients—she’s secretly ending lives. Controlled, efficient, and emotionally detached, Alice lives a double life as a sociopathic killer hiding in plain sight. But when a sudden zombie outbreak disrupts normalcy, Alice finds herself facing a chaotic new threat she didn’t plan for.
As the dead begin to rise, her carefully maintained persona is tested. With the hospital in disarray and authorities scrambling to control the situation, Alice must navigate a world more unhinged than herself—while hiding her own crimes in plain sight.
📖 Notable Arcs or Storylines
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"Day Z" (Issue #1) – Introduces Alice’s double life and sets the stage with the first signs of a viral outbreak—eerily tied to the ER.
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"The Killer in Me" (Issue #2) – Alice’s internal monologue deepens as she tries to outsmart both the zombie virus and an increasingly suspicious detective.
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"Emergencies Only" (Issue #3) – Chaos erupts inside the hospital, with survivors dividing between self-preservation and morality.
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"The Origin" (Issue #4) – Hints at the cause of the outbreak and links it to military experiments, raising questions about Alice’s role in a larger conspiracy.
🧩 Fan Theories or Interpretations
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Alice as a Metaphor for Control vs. Chaos – Some readers view Alice not just as a killer, but as a personification of societal order, undone by nature’s unpredictability (the undead virus).
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Government Conspiracy Angle – Theories suggest the zombie outbreak was premeditated, possibly part of a human experiment—of which Alice may have unknowingly been a part.
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Is Alice Redeemable? – Fans debate whether the character arc suggests possible redemption or a descent into complete sociopathy. The ambiguity fuels ongoing discussion.
⭐ Review Summary
Alice Matheson is a sharp, unnerving entry in the zombie genre, elevated by a compelling anti-heroine and a sterile yet atmospheric setting. The writing excels in psychological tension, offering rare insight into the twisted mind of a controlled killer faced with literal chaos. The artwork is clean and meticulous, emphasizing both the clinical environment and the grotesque horror with equal finesse. Character depth, especially Alice’s cold narration, adds a fresh spin to a genre often saturated with clichés.
Verdict: 🧠💉🧟♀️
4.5/5 – A cerebral horror-thriller that stands out in a crowded zombie landscape.
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