I got this softcover from BetterWorldBooks, after watching the first episode of the Kingdom 2019 TV series on Netflix. (Apparently the story began as a webcomic; not sure how closely the TV series adheres to the manhwa.) It's a historical-horror tale, mixing a battle for the throne with a growing zombie plague - which had a pretty awesome origin: in an attempt to keep control of the throne, the dying (already dead?) emperor was given a special treatment that kept him alive but turned him into a ravening thing. When the doctor's apprentice got too close, the young man was attacked and killed - and, in what seems like a Very Bad Decision by the doctor, his body was returned to his home for burial. There, the villagers are horrified to see the wounds on the body - but they have other things to worry about: the region is on the edge of starvation. Cue the arrival of a mysterious stranger who comes up with a very welcome supply of food, seemingly out of nowhere; it's venison, he says, but a young nurse discovers that the stew has a more sinister (if pragmatic) origin... And thus begins a zombie plague - which those vying for control of the throne are happy to try and use to their advantage!

There's a bonus story as well, which takes up almost half of this volume: "Burning Hell," about an island where the baddest of the bad are sent - and where a top Japanese criminal goes up against the leading Korean villain for king-of-the-hill honors. (In this one, a character finds himself rescued by... pirates! I did rather giggle at this bit; the pirate captain looks like he's right out of "Captain Hook"-style central casting.) Throw in a beautiful English girl captive and some heavy-duty Caribbean magic, and things get... interesting.

[There's a TV Tropes page on the TV series, with references to the original works as well. And I enjoyed the supernatural-mystery series Island by the same author and artist.]

I left this book in the Little Free Library; hope someone enjoys it!

[See other recent releases in NH here.]

** Released for the 2023 Royalty challenge. **

** Released for the 2023 TV Series challenge. **