Forgotten Sequel to Critically Acclaimed Horror Thriller 28 Days Later Delivers a Masterful Story

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Considering the expected success of 28 Years Later and its sequel, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, which is highly anticipated for 2026, it seems the zombie genre is experiencing a resurgence. However, it’s worth noting that the antagonists in this series aren’t traditional zombies—they’re simply extremely enraged individuals.

Fans of this popular horror series might be frustrated by the wait for the next installment, as they’re eager for more action in this post-apocalyptic world. Fortunately, they can enjoy some comic books set in the same universe to hold them over.

Two 28 Days Later Comics Expand On The Original Film

In 2002, Alex Garland (writer) and Danny Boyle (director) created the now-classic horror film 28 Days Later. The movie built on the idea, first popularized by George A. Romero, of a virus turning people into violent beings, but with a key difference: the infected weren’t traditional zombies. Instead, they were fast-moving, rage-filled creatures driven by an unending thirst for blood.

The English film was a critical and commercial success, earning an 87% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and grossing $74.9 million despite only costing $8 million to make. This success launched a new horror franchise, which continued in 2007 with 28 Weeks Later. Before the recent film, 28 Years Later, revived the story of the Rage Virus on the big screen after almost twenty years, the franchise’s story was further developed in illustrated formats.

The first comic book based on 28 Days Later was 28 Days Later: The Aftermath, a 2007 graphic novel by Steve Niles and Fox Atomic Comics. It explores the events surrounding the original film from multiple viewpoints. The story starts at the lab where the Rage Virus originated, revealing how it was created and the good intentions behind it. It then shifts to follow a London family as they try to survive the resulting chaos.

The most popular and well-regarded comic book adaptation of the world created in Boyle and Garland’s film comes from Boom! Studios, written by Michael Alan Nelson. Titled 28 Days Later, it continues the story of the movie and is told through the eyes of a key character.

Selena Is The Star Of BOOM! Studios’ 28 Days Later Comic

Cillian Murphy, who won an Academy Award, has hinted at a return to his iconic role from 28 Days Later. This is the first time a character from the original movie will appear in a sequel – at least on screen.

While Jim appears briefly in Boom! Studios’ comic adaptation of 28 Days Later, the story centers on Naomie Harris’ character, Selena. The comic explores what happens after the events of 28 Days Later and during 28 Weeks Later, mainly through Selena’s eyes. She teams up with Clint Harris, an American journalist, who asks her to guide him outside the quarantine zone around London.

The comic explores Selena’s difficulty moving on from her old life, often using hallucinations to show her memories. For example, while trapped and surrounded by infected, she imagines she’s at a bar with her husband, David, as a way to cope. We later learn how she lost David when he was infected, and the heartbreaking decision she had to make to kill him herself.

Beyond the narrative, the story really highlights Selena’s incredible strength and determination. If the movie didn’t fully demonstrate how capable she is, the comic book will definitely prove it. Her ability to overcome challenges, whether dealing with infection or other obstacles, is truly inspiring. This makes her a compelling character and suggests a promising future for her within the film series.

The Non-Infected Are The Real Enemy Of The 28 Days Later Comic

It’s a frequent idea in zombie stories that the real danger isn’t the zombies themselves, but other surviving people. The most terrifying threat actually comes from other humans.

Something really stuck with me about 28 Days Later. It’s when Jim, Selena, and this girl Hannah find what they think is a safe place, run by Major West. It quickly becomes horrifyingly clear that it was all a trap. West wasn’t offering safety at all – he was luring women there to be used as sex slaves for his soldiers. It’s a truly disturbing moment in the film.

The movie’s surprising twist is explained further in the 28 Days Later comic book. In it, Selena and Clint are hunted by Captain Stiles, a cruel officer in the British army. He specifically seeks revenge on Selena for her involvement in the death of Major West, conveniently ignoring the terrible things his fellow soldier did.

As much as Stiles is the big bad in this story, honestly, the real threats aren’t the zombies. I’ve noticed that Selena and Clint consistently find the other survivors way more terrifying than any horde of infected they run into. It’s a really interesting dynamic – people are often the most dangerous enemies.

The powerful idea of losing one’s humanity is a key reason why Boom! Studios’ comic adaptation of 28 Days Later works so well alongside the original movie, and it’s a theme that still feels relevant to the series today. It’s exciting to think about how director Nia DaCosta will explore these ideas in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.

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2026-01-05 01:37