When I opened the new issue of DMZ this week, I was floored by the amazing art by fill-in creator, Nikki Cook.

DMZ is a series set in the near future where a brutal civil war is being waged in the United States. The comic is a critical and complex read, made irresistible by great characters. This issue focuses on Zee, a radical-medic, who is committed and unflappable in an absolutely chaotic environment.

Zee, DMZ

Cook does an amazing job portraying these characters, and giving us insight into their thoughts and feelings through their expressive faces. This issue is rad, thanks in large part to Cook.

Cook, of Brooklyn, NY, has had work published in several anthologies, including Comic Book Tattoo, which is a collection of stories inspired by the music of Tori Amos.

She’s a co-founder of ACT-I-VATE, an awesome webcomics collective, where you can read Cook’s and other creator’s stories for free. You can check out her sexy/scary porno comic, Dripping Wet, and her web serial, Sack of Puppies.

She’s working on a book called Dogs Day End with my boy, Brian Wood, who writes DMZ.

Dog Day!

I will be anxiously awaiting its release, and until it comes out, I’ll pretend it’s about Dog Day, the band.