Defoe; 1666 - Pat Mills & Leigh Gallagher

Defoe; 1666
Written by Pat Mills
Illustrated by Leigh Gallagher
Pub: 2000AD/Rebellion



The most terrible year of our Lord 1666 has bought horror to England. The city of London has caught alight beneath the passage of a comet, and from the devastation of the Great Fire arose the ravenous undead.

The world has kept turning and the year is now 1668. Onto the stage steps Titus Defoe, a zombie hunter for the Crown, but previously a Leveller, and a veteran of the New Model Army. Charles II sits on the throne, the Civil War and its aftermath still potent in the minds of his subjects. The zombies stalk the capital, and the surrounding country, but the survivors have learnt to adapt.

Armed with weapons devised by the Royal Society, and other devices granted under the patronage Sir Isaac Newton, and imbuing a cordial that grants immunity to the transformative bite of their foes, the zombie hunters are tasked with the eradication of the undead. Defoe is promoted the post of Zombie Hunter General and gathers a motley band of fellow hunters around himself to take on the increasingly organised and numerous undead threat.

It is not just hungry dead but other more subtle dangers that Defoe and his fellow hunters must face. The Dutch are moving against England and are in some way connected to the undead threat. Closer to home gentlemen of merit are seeking to hide their own secrets and pursue the conclusion of their schemes and the Great Work. Around all swirls the rumour of angels.



Writing and art combine to drag you into the dark days of Defoe’s 17th Century, a world populated by truly grotesque characters; zombies, scientists, nobles, and hunters alike. Hints of real history run just below the surface of the story, showing through characters as well as weapons and inventions. Reading Pat Mills’ introduction is certainly educational.

The dialogue fits the setting, but brings in a streak of humour that is one of the hallmarks of 2000Ad's strips. The artwork is also scattered with similar puns. Balanced against the light-heartedness is the violence and sombre tone of the art and the characterisation of Defoe.

There’s an awful lot of ground covered in the book, and much vaster designs are hinted at. Hopefully the series will keep up its happy mix of violence and intrigue for a good time to come.

As a break from more standard superhero fare and a different take on the zombie apocalypse Defoe stands proud.