The Vegan Revolution...with Zombies

David Agranoff's The Vegan Revolution...with Zombies was published by Deadite Press in 2010. It marked the San Diego author's debut and helped launch a successful writing career that encompasses eleven novels and two story collections. After reading the author's Clash Books publication, The Last Night to Kill Nazis, I wanted to explore more of his work. I'll have to admit, based on the title, I probably wouldn't read Agranoff's debut. But, after reading The Last Night to Kill Nazis and Punk Rock Ghost Story, I know what he's capable of. 

The Vegan Revolution...with Zombies is a satire work that combines veganism, animal rights, and the zombie apocalypse into 200 pages of ultra dark comedy. The main character is Dani, a young woman who has recently moved to Portland, Oregon. Through her boyfriend, the charismatic Magik, she lands an editing job at Fulci House Press, a publisher that injects zombies into classical literature. Of Mice and Men with Zombies, anyone? She hates the job, but her co-workers' eating habits lead her to rethink her next bite into a burned animal corpse.

Both Dani and Magik switching to veganism is a lifesaver. No...literally. A genetic engineering company called Vir-Tech unleashes a drug that blocks the perception of pain in livestock. It's fun to eat animals that aren't aware of pain and suffering, right? In a planetary misstep, humanity eats the drugged animals and...well, you know. Brains Brains Brains. Only, it's human flesh on the menu as zombies prowl the city streets devouring prey. The survivors? Yep. Those weirdo, tree-hugging, hippy vegans. I'll conjure my Rosco P. Coltrane voice - “Dang their mangy hides!”

The Vegan Revolution...with Zombies is a riot. There's a splash into pop culture as everything from Red Dawn (the best 80s film ever!) to Burial Ground is unearthed. There are plenty of zombie films, classical literature, and music (Earth Crisis for the Earth Crisis!) for me to fanboy over. But, there's an equal amount of socially important messages about animals and the various ways they are dissected, squeezed, sliced, burned, and bred to umm...heave the heavy. It's a balance beam that made me laugh while also questioning my household menu of pork chops and chicken parm. 

Agranoff's debut is an effective, funny, serious, alarming novel that has a lot to say and a short time to get there. It's worth a read...just don't blame me if you turn to enoki sandwiches. Get it HERE.

David Agranoff: Writing Against Facism with Fangs and Fire

This in-depth interview explores the work and creative philosophy of author David Agranoff, known for blending horror, science fiction, and political commentary. The discussion covers his literary influences—ranging from heavy metal and punk rock to authors like Alistair MacLean and Philip K. Dick—and how they inform his fast-paced, visceral writing style. Watch the video chat HERE or stream below. The audio portion is available on any podcasting platform or download HERE.

The Last Night to Kill Nazis

David Agranoff is a San Diego author, screenwriter, blogger, podcast host, and quite possibly the strongest advocate for Philip K. Dick's literary work than any other. His debut novel, The Vegan Revolution...with Zombies, was published in 2010. Since then he has authored nine novels including The Last Night to Kill Zombies. The novel was published in 2023 by Clash Books with vivid cover art by Joel Amat Guell.

In this military-fiction and horror hybrid, Agranoff utilizes a real event from World War Two as a foundation to craft this unusual tale. Heinrich Himmler, one of the most notorious figures of the war, was a powerful Nazi politician, Reich Commissioner, and Commander. He is primarily considered the organizer of the horrific Holocaust and second only to Hitler in terms of absolute evil personified. Shortly after Hitler's suicide, and hours before Russia's Red Army stormed his underground bunker, Himmler was able to escape with several other leaders into the countryside where they remained on the run for several days before being captured by British intelligence. While in detainment Himmler was able to fatally swallow his hidden cyanide pill.

Agranoff begins his novel as the Red Army is within striking distance. Himmler is able to escape with as SS Officer named Heinrich and a few other Nazi personnel. In the countryside, the group travel by truck to a mountaintop fortress to meet nearly 100 German officers that await a plane that will transport them to safety in Manchuria. It's in this seemingly impenetrable fortress where the book's second half takes place.

Hunting Himmler is a small counter-intelligence force lead by Noah, a Jewish fighter and ex-Army Ranger now serving the OSS (early CIA). His team hopes to penetrate and climb to the mountain fortress to kill every Nazi in the fortress. But, with over 100 Nazis occupying this defiant stronghold, what chance does his quartet have in facing these overwhelming numbers?

The answer is Count Reiter. 

In a thrilling enhancement to the breathtaking traditionalism of a World War Two adventure novel, Agranoff introduces a Dracula-like character named Reiter. His castle in the Carpathian Mountains was ransacked by the Nazis, who not only disturbed his domicile but also his centuries of sleep. Reiter wants vengeance and will stop at nothing to kill Nazis. But, in this book Reiter is being kept as a prisoner by the Allies. In a desperate bid to hunt and kill Himmler the Allies agree to a deal with Reiter – help them orchestrate a massacre on the last official night to kill Nazis in exchange for freedom. 

The Last Night to Kill Nazis is nothing short of remarkable. The book's first hundred pages is a type of dangerous road trip introducing Heinrich and his pregnant lover Alice, who both are equal main characters to Noah's opposition. The author masterfully utilizes short chapters, each time stamped, to tell individual stories and angles presenting Alice's experiences as well as Noah, Reiter, and Heinrich's. These punchy chapters help keep the book's 250-pages turning at lightning pace. Once these characters collide atop the mountain the narrative increases speed to match the staccato gunfire, pounding footsteps, and infernal screams as Nazis meet the Hellish Prince of Darkness. 

If Bram Stoker, Alistair MacLean, and Quentin Tarrantino collaborated on a project they surely would deliver this masterpiece. The Last Night to Kill Nazis is epic entertainment and comes with my highest recommendation. Get it HERE.