The Living & the Dead is a zombie story like no other I've seen.

Told in Norwegian artist Jason's trademark style -- stark black-and-white drawings, anthropomorphized characters, action almost entirely without dialogue -- the story imparts a great deal of thought and emotion, horror, humor and, yes, even romance.

The story centers on a nameless dishwasher whose lonely life is changed by a brief encounter with a hooker with a heart of gold. His life from that day on is focused on earning enough money for just one night with her.

Plans change, however, when a meteor strikes a nearby graveyard and the dead rise to feed.

The Living & the Dead is remarkably lacking in gore, so far as zombie tales go -- although you will be treated to scenes of the undead noshing on a baby, a pimp and the occasional restaurant patron. The story has some sense of urgency, but it unfolds at a relaxed pace -- and the expressiveness of Jason's characters is delightfully wrought.

And the ending is about as touching as a zombie story possibly can be.