Rotting Reads: Ranking the Zombie Books, Comics, and Manga of 2007

2007 wasn’t a massive year for zombie lit, but what it did deliver was the explosive arrival of Highschool of the Dead — a series that quickly earned its place among genre favorites. Let’s break it down:

4. Resident Evil: Extinction (Novelization)

Keith DeCandido’s take on the film Resident Evil: Extinction is… fine. Much like the movie it adapts, it leans more into action-thriller spectacle than true survival horror. The writing’s competent, but it never rises above being a serviceable tie-in. For die-hard fans only.

3. Highschool of the Dead, Vol. 1

The debut of Daisuke Satō’s manga series is a promising start. It throws readers headfirst into the chaos of the outbreak, balancing action, horror, and just enough character work to keep you hooked. A little rough around the edges, but undeniably entertaining.

2. Highschool of the Dead, Vol. 2

The stakes rise, and the group dynamic sharpens. Volume 2 improves on the first by expanding both character conflicts and the scale of zombie encounters. It’s still pulpy, but now you can see the potential blooming — the series finding its rhythm.

1. Highschool of the Dead, Vol. 3

This is where it all clicks. Volume 3 solidifies Highschool of the Dead as not just a flashy zombie manga but one with real staying power. Tense action sequences, stronger emotional beats, and the group’s fight for survival finally feel cohesive. It’s the first real “must-read” of the series.

Final Word: 2007 belonged to Highschool of the Dead. By its third volume, it proved it wasn’t just another zombie manga, but one that could balance wild spectacle with a grim survival narrative. The Resident Evil novelization, meanwhile, shuffled quietly behind.