Rocko’s Modern Life continues its history of social commentary in its 4-part comic book about a zombie outbreak, Rocko’s Modern Afterlife.
Rocko’s Modern Life has a history of social commentary on Nickelodeon, and Rocko’s Modern Afterlife is no exception. Written by Anthony Burch with art by Mattia Di Meo and Francesco Segala, this 4-chapter comic speaks to society’s obsession with social media by way of the undead. Rocko’s adventures highlight the different ways in which people use the internet to cope with the world outside their windows.
This 2019 story offers a biting critique of the world in its current state, even if it takes place a year prior, as Rocko and his friends Heffer and Filbert must survive a zombie outbreak in their town. All three have different reactions, but they must put their differences aside and help each other figure out the cause of the outbreak.
The first chapter of Modern Afterlife opens with Rocko and Mister Bighead bumping into each other. Mister Bighead introduces the concept of social media to Rocko, listing off spoofs of currently popular social media sites. Two weeks later, where a zombie outbreak has occurred and officials asking citizens to remain indoors. Rocko takes solace in his new indoor life, using the time to meditate and escape the harshness of his regular working life. But when he begins to run out of food, he calls his friend Heffer to see if he could borrow some.
Heffer has become an influential figure in the gaming community and uses his dedicated fanbase to do favors for him. Heffer explains the concept of creating content and having a fanbase, a reference to the lengths people will go to for relevance on social media. He asks his fans to send food to Rocko’s house, though Rocko is very reluctant. After a fan delivers food to Rocko, zombies manage to nearly break into his home. Rocko becomes angry and hangs up. Heffer decides to check on his family, who have recently turned into zombies.
Once Heffer opens the door, he is bitten. Hearing this, Rocko seeks out Filbert’s help to save Heffer from turning into a zombie. Filbert, who is obsessed with hand sanitizer and being seen as a hero, joins Rocko. Eventually, the two set out to find Heffer. After fighting through a crowd of zombies and the crazy townsfolk who are desperate to get away from the zombies, they finally find Heffer. Rocko, Heffer, and Filbert use Heffer’s fans to locate Hook Labs, the lab they believe will help them cure Heffer.