Blood, Guts and Snark

Vampires versus zombies ranks highly in the spectrum of inherently awesome ideas, and local author Mario Acevedo does a fine job with this can’t-miss premise in Jailbait Zombie, the latest Felix Gomez novel. It’s the fourth outing for Gomez, Acevedo’s vampire private-eye protagonist. Like Acevedo himself, Gomez is a combat veteran with something of a smart-ass take on the world. “I thought it was a good way of using the vampire as kind of an outsider,” Acevedo says. “He can do all sorts of snarky commentary on society.” But don’t make the mistake of thinking that Acevedo based Gomez on himself. “No, it’s coincidental. He’s taller than I am, he’s got more hair, he’s better-looking,” Acevedo insists. “Yeah, I think he would resent anybody saying he’s based on me.”

The story puts Gomez up against an army of brain-eating walking dead and their master. And, as if that wasn’t enough trouble, he also has to contend with an underage wannabe vampire who has clairvoyant powers. It’s an engaging, fun book with enough new ideas on vampires, zombies and other beasties to please even the most jaded fans of the supernatural. “I try to stay close to what people think they should be — you know, like the vampires have fangs, they have to drink blood, they’re undead,” Acevedo explains. “If they’re not that, they’re not vampires. I do draw upon [the familiar], but I put my own spin on it.”

Acevedo will read from and sign copies of Jailbait Zombie tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Tattered Cover, 2526 East Colfax Avenue. For more information, visit www.marioacevedo.com or call 303-322-7277.
Mon., March 9, 2009