View source for Revival (comics)

{{short description|American horror comics series by Tim Seeley and Mike Norton}}
{{about|the comics series||Revival (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Infobox comic book title
<!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
| title      = Revival
| image      = RevivalComic1.jpg
| image_size =
| alt        = In the foreground, dark-haired college student Em holds a bloody scythe and is glaring at the viewer. The background is a snowy rural landscape with an old barn.
| caption    = Cover of ''Revival'' #1 (July 2012) by [[Jenny Frison]].
| schedule   = Monthly
| format     = [[Ongoing series|Ongoing]]
| ongoing    = Y
| genre      = [[Horror comics|Horror]]
| publisher  = [[Image Comics]]
| date       =
| startmo    = July
| startyr    = 2012
| endmo      = February
| endyr      = 2017
| issues     = 47
| creators   = [[Tim Seeley]] and [[Mike Norton]]
| writers    = Tim Seeley
| artists    = Mike Norton
| letterers  = Crank!
| colorists  = Mark Englert
| editors    =
| sort       =
| addpubcat# =
| nonUS      =
}}
'''''Revival''''' is an American [[horror comics]] series created by writer [[Tim Seeley]] and artist [[Mike Norton]]. The pair worked with colorist Mark Englert and cover artist [[Jenny Frison]] to produce the series, which was published by [[Image Comics]] as 47 monthly issues released between July 2012 and February 2017. It has since been reprinted in both paperback and hardcover editions that contain multiple issues.

Set in central [[Wisconsin]], ''Revival'' follows the aftermath of the dead coming back to life. The story is centered on detective Dana Cypress and her revived sister Em as it touches on religious, moral and social themes. As they investigate, they find Em's murder to be closely linked to the revival. Although the creators always knew how the central mystery would conclude, the exact length of the series was determined by sales.

The series has received mostly positive reviews and sold through multiple printings. ''Revival'' was nominated for three [[Harvey Award]]s in 2013, and Frison was nominated in the Best Cover Artist category in 2013 and 2015 in part because of her work on the series. Critics praised the series for being distinct from other [[zombie]] comics, but later faulted the story's pace and sprawling cast. By the end of the series, sales of individual monthly issues had fallen nearly 78% from the first-issue peak.

In late 2012, Seeley and Norton were approached by major networks to develop ''Revival'' into a television series. While similar projects were produced at that time, none were based on ''Revival''. A film adaptation was announced in early 2017, to be co-written by Seeley and produced by Shatterglass Films. [[Diamond Select Toys]] has released a [[minimate]] toy of Em Cypress.

==Plot summary==
In what becomes known as Revival Day, everyone who died within a few miles of [[Wausau, Wisconsin]], on January 1 returns to life on January 2. The [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|Centers for Disease Control]] (CDC) quarantines the area to study the phenomenon and search for a cause. A partnership between the local sheriff's office and the CDC creates a task force to process any crime that involves one of the twenty-three known "revivers" (people who came back to life). It is led by detective Dana Cypress and CDC doctor Ibrahim Ramin. Dana learns her college-aged sister, Em, is also a reviver. Em was murdered, but cannot remember the events leading to her death. Dana agrees to keep Em's status a secret while they investigate her death. Meanwhile, various townspeople begin to see glowing [[ghost]]-like figures in the surrounding woods (referred to as "creeps" in writer [[Tim Seeley]]'s scripts).<ref name="CBRint"/>

[[File:Creep meets Em.png|thumb|Em is attacked by one of the creeps known as "glowing men". Art by Mike Norton and Mark Englert.|alt=refer to caption]]
The revivers are [[immortality in fiction|immortal]] and heal from all wounds. Some of them begin to take physical and non-physical risks because they do not fear physical or emotional harm to themselves or others. When they experience strong negative emotions, they cry blood and become violent. As a result, Dana and Ramin investigate several murders in the weeks following Revival Day. Meanwhile, some people outside the quarantine area believe the government is covering up a religious miracle. Others believe they can absorb the revivers' immortality by ingesting their flesh, leading to an active smuggling business that moves body parts of revivers and other recently dead individuals.

Some CDC researchers discover high levels of [[heavy water]] in creeks surrounding Wausau. As a precaution, they confiscate and slaughter all the local livestock. Edmund Holt, a local man paranoid about government overreach, organizes a group to resist what he believes are unlawful actions. At the same time, he oversees a tunnel that smuggles sick Christians who believe being baptized in the water will heal their ailments. Meanwhile, Em discovers she is pregnant.

Secretly, the CDC uses a former dairy farm to detain revivers who have been reported as dangerous. When its existence is discovered, it causes a rift between the CDC and sheriff's office generally, and between Dana and Ramin specifically. The Wausau mayor organizes a meeting to reconcile the issues and invites some revivers to participate. Holt uses a suicidal reviver to smuggle a bomb into the meeting. It kills the mayor and several other people. General Louise Cale is installed as a temporary governor and uses her power to move all known revivers to the dairy farm facility. She and the military experiment on the revivers and captured creeps. They learn the ghost figures are the disembodied souls of the revivers, and that reuniting them causes permanent death.

During the response to the bombing, Em's reviver status is discovered and she is confined to the dairy farm. Following a lead, Dana learns that Em's murderer has bribed a guard at the facility to abduct Em to prevent a formal investigation into her death. Dana arrives in time to save Em and escape. Because they are unable to leave the quarantine, they go into hiding.

As tensions mount between the military and the people of Wausau, a riot is started at a picket line. The revivers and the creeps escape the dairy farm and attack the military. Creeps are able to possess bodies, prompting a shoot-on-sight response from panicked soldiers.

Dana discovers Em was killed by Lester Majak, an aging local celebrity. Majak was a physical trainer who was convinced his fitness regime would extend his life. When he began to notice his growing frailty, he researched a legend of immortality from India. A particular creek near Wausau met the requirements for the legend, and Majak murdered Em near it in a ritual to extend his life. However, Em's recent pregnancy provided additional life force and caused an imbalance that resulted in Revival Day. The imbalance is still affecting the river, and will grow to threaten all life on Earth. To restore balance, Em must give birth before she reunites with her soul and permanently dies. As she delivers her daughter, the remaining revivers merge with their souls as well.

Two years later, life in Wausau has returned to normal. Dana is now sheriff and is in a relationship with Ramin. They are raising Dana's niece.

==Composition and development==
===Early inspiration===
{{multiple image|perrow = 2|total_width=300
|image1 = 10.11.13TimSeeleyByLuigiNovi.jpg
|width1 = 1821 |height1 = 2540
| alt1 = refer to caption
|image2 = 10.16.11MikeNortonByLuigiNovi1.jpg
|width2 = 1404 |height2 = 1773
| alt2 = refer to caption
|footer = Writer Tim Seeley (left) and artist Mike Norton (right) at the 2011 [[New York Comic Con]]
}}

Seeley and artist [[Mike Norton]] first met in 2001, when they were both hired by [[Devil's Due Publishing]] to work on a ''[[G.I. Joe (comics)#Devil's Due Publishing|G.I. Joe]]'' comic book.<ref name="seqartint"/> The two became friends and collaborated on other works, including some released through the Double Feature app in 2011.<ref name="CBRint">{{cite web|last=Phegley|first=Kiel |date=March 31, 2012 |url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=37910 |title=ECCC12: Seeley & Norton Go Rural Noir With "Revival"|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015093245/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=37910 |archive-date=2014-10-15|website=[[Comic Book Resources]]|access-date=July 15, 2016}}</ref> They subsequently shared work space at [[Four Star Studios]] in [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]].<ref name="CBRint"/><ref name="BCimitation"/>

Following the success of Seeley's series ''[[Hack/Slash]]'' through [[Image Comics]], publisher [[Eric Stephenson (comics)|Eric Stephenson]] suggested Seeley write another monthly book. Seeley knew he wanted to work with Norton again, and the two discussed ideas over the following months, mostly during lunch breaks.<ref name="CBRint"/> Seeley was interested in setting a story in a small town so he could write about the kind of crimes that happen in a place where people prefer to live far away from each other. Norton was interested in telling a new kind of zombie story, since he felt ''[[The Walking Dead (comic book)|The Walking Dead]]'' had perfected the zombie survival story. They combined the two ideas to create the premise for ''Revival''.<ref name="NWSRMA">{{cite web|last=Rogers|first=Vaneta |date=December 17, 2013 |url=http://www.newsarama.com/19840-batman-scribe-hopes-dc-readers-check-out-acclaimed-series-revival.html |title=BATMAN Scribe Hopes DC Readers Check Out Acclaimed Series REVIVAL |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151209165116/http://www.newsarama.com/19840-batman-scribe-hopes-dc-readers-check-out-acclaimed-series-revival.html |archive-date=2015-12-09 |website=[[Newsarama]] |access-date=July 15, 2016}}</ref> They pitched the series as ''[[Fargo (1996 film)|Fargo]]'' meets ''The Walking Dead'', using the terms "[[Rural noir (fiction)|Rural Noir]]" and "Farm Noir" to describe the [[hardboiled]] detective story set in a small town.<ref name="CBRint"/><ref name="FN">{{cite news|last=Truitt|first=Brian |date=May 24, 2012 |url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2012-05-24/Revival-comic-book-series/55189774/1 |title='Revival' brings dead back to life in a slice of 'farm noir'|work=[[USA Today]]|access-date=September 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217041325/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/comics/story/2012-05-24/Revival-comic-book-series/55189774/1|archive-date=2013-02-17|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The series was formally announced on March 31, 2012, at [[Emerald City Comicon]]. In the week leading up to the series announcement, Image teased the release in the form of fake newspaper articles and ads.<ref name="CBRint"/><ref name="CAannoun">{{cite web|last=Khouri|first=Andy |date=April 2, 2012 |url=http://comicsalliance.com/image-emerald-city-revival-roundeye-rock-bottom/ |title=Image: New Tony Harris and Seeley & Norton, Reissued Casey & Adlard [ECCC]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629220114/http://comicsalliance.com/image-emerald-city-revival-roundeye-rock-bottom/ |archive-date=2016-06-29 |website=[[ComicsAlliance]]|access-date=July 16, 2016}}</ref>

===Production===
Seeley and Norton both had heavy workloads when they began ''Revival'', and the complexity of the story meant they needed to cut back on other projects.<ref name="CBRint2"/> Because Seeley was excited to write about "real people" instead of typical heroes or archetypes, ''Revival'' is set in Seeley's boyhood home of Wausau, Wisconsin.<ref name="CBRint"/><ref name="wwac">{{cite web|last=Tonik|first=Ginnis |date=February 24, 2016 |url=http://womenwriteaboutcomics.com/2016/02/24/interview-with-tim-seeley-mike-norton/ |title=Horror vs. Crime: We Talk Revival with Tim Seeley and Mike Norton |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816060626/http://womenwriteaboutcomics.com/2016/02/24/interview-with-tim-seeley-mike-norton/ |archive-date=2016-08-16 |website=Women Write About Comics|access-date=July 18, 2016}}</ref> Several of the unusual crimes in the first arc are based on actual events from the town, including the killing of the [[Zebroid|zebra-horse]] in the first issue.<ref name="seqartint">{{cite web|last=Ford|first=Nick |date=September 20, 2014 |url=http://sequart.org/magazine/49849/revival-interview-with-mike-norton-and-tim-seely-at-boston-comic-con-2014/ |title=''Revival'' Interview with Mike Norton and Tim Seeley at Boston Comic Con 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820201032/http://sequart.org/magazine/49849/revival-interview-with-mike-norton-and-tim-seely-at-boston-comic-con-2014/ |archive-date=2016-08-20 |website=[[Sequart Organization]]|access-date=July 18, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Richards|first=Dave |date=August 12, 2013 |url=http://www.cbr.com/seeley-celebrates-revivals-first-anniversary/ |title=Seeley Celebrates "Revival's" First Anniversary|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001183402/http://www.cbr.com/seeley-celebrates-revivals-first-anniversary/ |archive-date=2016-10-01 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]]|access-date=September 27, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Lawder|first=Melanie |date=April 29, 2015 |url=http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/story/entertainment/2015/04/29/comic-book-creator-tim-seeley-returns-home/26606857/ |title=Comic book creator Tim Seeley returns home|work=[[Wausau Daily Herald]]|access-date=September 1, 2017}}</ref> This setting meant religion would need to play a significant role in the plot because Wausau is a "very religious&nbsp;... predominantly Christian" place.<ref name="CBRint"/> Seeley deliberately references Biblical events throughout the comic, but tries to do so with subtlety because it is "easy to do it way overdone".<ref name="CBRint2"/>

Both Seeley and Norton are writers as well as artists, so each contributed to character designs and plot ideas. When promoting the series prior to release, Norton described ''Revival'' as the closest collaboration he had ever worked on.<ref name="CBRint"/> One character in particular, Em Cypress, had been a work in progress for nearly 20 years.<ref name="Seeley"/> She began as a sketch Seeley did in 1996 and was heavily influenced by ''[[The Crow]]''. He continued to tweak the character over the years, and a version of her was pitched to [[Tokyopop]] for an [[original English-language manga]] in 2005. He also considered using her in ''Hack/Slash'', but the initial concept underwent significant changes and eventually became the character Acid Angel.<ref name="Seeley">{{cite comic|writer=Seeley, Tim |date=July 2013 |story=Em |title=Revival Volume Two: Live Like You Mean It |publisher=[[Image Comics]]}}</ref>

The conclusion of the series was determined from the outset, but the path to the finale was adaptable and there were enough ideas to keep the comic going for as long as sales would support it.<ref name="CBRint"/> Only a few of the characters had predetermined storylines, and the supporting cast provided further [[subplot]]s along the way.<ref name="NWSRMA"/> When issue 17 was published, the plot was "loosely" planned through 55 or 60 issues.<ref name="CBR17"/> By late 2015, they had decided to end ''Revival'' at issue 48.<ref name="CBRint4">{{cite web|last=Richards|first=Dave |date=November 18, 2015 |url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/seeley-sets-the-stage-for-revivals-final-year |title=Seeley Sets the Stage for "Revival's" Final Year|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812165134/http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/seeley-sets-the-stage-for-revivals-final-year |archive-date=2016-08-12 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]]|access-date=July 15, 2016}}</ref>

Although most modern comics are told in three to six issue "arcs" that form a nearly complete story, Seeley feels that when several plot points climax at once, it provides readers an easy opportunity to quit reading without feeling dissatisfied about missing the true conclusion. For ''Revival'', he and Norton decided to have new mysteries develop constantly.<ref name="CBRint2">{{cite web|last=Phegley|first=Kiel |date=November 23, 2012 |url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=42334 |title=Tim Seeley Digs Deep Into "Revival" |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813033813/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=42334 |archive-date=2016-08-13 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]]|access-date=July 15, 2016}}</ref> They had several discussions on the right point to begin the story. Early drafts of the first issue included scenes showing the worldwide response to Revival Day, but they were cut to focus on the people of Wausau. The creators decided to start the story after Revival Day partly because they wanted readers to relate to the cast's confusion, and partly as an homage to old superhero comics that told origin stories as quickly as possible to get to the action. They were inspired by [[Don DeLillo]]'s novel ''[[White Noise (novel)|White Noise]]'', which follows people trying to escape an approaching cloud but no one knows what it actually is.<ref name="CBRint2"/>

During the series, Norton and Seeley worked with [[colorist]] Mark Englert, [[letterer]] Christopher Crank (credited as "Crank!"), and cover artist and fellow studio partner [[Jenny Frison]].<ref name="CBR17"/><ref name="josh"/> Although the team planned for Frison to create the covers from the beginning, Norton provided the design for the cover of the first issue.<ref name="josh">{{cite web|last=C.|first=Josh |date=August 8, 2012 |url=http://blog.tfaw.com/2012/08/08/cover-girl-jenny-frison-takes-us-inside-her-creative-process/?qt=ia_hp1_Frison |title=Cover Girl Jenny Frison Takes Us Inside Her Creative Process |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820025205/http://blog.tfaw.com/2012/08/08/cover-girl-jenny-frison-takes-us-inside-her-creative-process/?qt=ia_hp1_Frison |archive-date=2016-08-20 |website=Thing from Another World |access-date=July 23, 2016}}</ref><ref name="cb">{{cite web|last=O'Keefe|first=Matt |date=July 5, 2016 |url=http://www.comicsbeat.com/matt-chats-mike-norton-on-the-end-of-battlepug-doing-an-eisner-award-winning-webcomic-wrong/ |title=Matt Chats: Mike Norton on the End of Battlepug, Doing an Eisner Award-Winning Webcomic "Wrong" |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821202305/http://www.comicsbeat.com/matt-chats-mike-norton-on-the-end-of-battlepug-doing-an-eisner-award-winning-webcomic-wrong/ |archive-date=2016-08-21 |website=The Beat|access-date=July 18, 2016}}</ref> At Seeley's suggestion, Norton drew the covers for the collected paperback editions.<ref name="cb"/> When the script for issue twelve called for a young character to draw his own comic within the story, five of the pages featured art by [[Art Baltazar]] and the cover was drawn by [[Skottie Young]]. Both artists are known for their cartoon-like style.<ref name="ch">{{cite web|last=Phegley|first=Kiel|date=June 21, 2013|url=http://www.cbr.com/seeleys-horror-trinity-occultist-revival-army-of-darkness-vs-hackslash/ |title=Seeley's Horror Trinity: "Occultist," "Revival" & "Army of Darkness Vs. Hack/Slash"|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921193812/http://www.cbr.com/seeleys-horror-trinity-occultist-revival-army-of-darkness-vs-hackslash/ |archive-date=2017-09-21|website=[[Comic Book Resources]]|access-date=September 21, 2017}}</ref>

A [[One-shot (comics)|one-shot]] [[Crossover (fiction)|crossover]] between ''Revival'' and ''[[Chew (comics)|Chew]]'' was announced on February 12, 2014, and released on May 28, 2014. The idea was proposed by ''Chew'' writer [[John Layman]], but was initially opposed by all the other creators. Layman continued to push the concept, and eventually wrote the story anyway. He emailed it to Seeley, Norton, and ''Chew'' artist [[Rob Guillory]], and after reading it they all agreed to participate.<ref name="xoannoun">{{cite web|last=Sunu|first=Steve |date=February 12, 2014 |url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=50863 |title=Image Announces "Chew"/"Revival" Crossover|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813033732/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=50863 |archive-date=2016-08-13 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]]|access-date=July 18, 2016}}</ref> It was constructed as a double-sided book with two stories, one by each creative team. The chapter by Layman and Guillory was titled ''Chew / Revival'', and the chapter by Seeley and Norton was titled ''Revival / Chew''.<ref name="xorev">{{cite web|last=Ostrowski|first=Vince |date=May 30, 2014 |url=http://www.multiversitycomics.com/reviews/review-chewrevival-1/ |title=Review: Chew/Revival #1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206202022/http://www.multiversitycomics.com/reviews/review-chewrevival-1/ |archive-date=2017-12-06|website=Multiversity Comics|access-date=December 6, 2017}}</ref>

==Release and reception==

===Publication history===
Previews of the first issue were included in ''The Walking Dead'' #99 and alongside five other upcoming comics in Image's 2012 [[Free Comic Book Day]] sampler before the first issue was released on July 11, 2012.<ref name="BCtoth">{{cite web|last=Johnston|first=Rich |date=September 15, 2012|url=http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/09/15/thrill-of-the-hunt-tim-seeley-and-mike-nortons-revival/ |title=Thrill Of The Hunt – Tim Seeley And Mike Norton's Revival|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920083753/http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/09/15/thrill-of-the-hunt-tim-seeley-and-mike-nortons-revival/ |archive-date=2016-09-20|website=[[Bleeding Cool]]|access-date=July 15, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Parkin|first=John |date=January 30, 2012|url=http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2012/01/details-emerge-on-free-comic-book-day-offerings-for-dc-comics-image/ |title=Details emerge on Free Comic Book Day offerings for DC Comics, Image|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150922111743/http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2012/01/details-emerge-on-free-comic-book-day-offerings-for-dc-comics-image/ |archive-date=2015-09-22 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]]|access-date=July 15, 2016}}</ref><ref name="CBRrev1">{{cite web|last=Zawisza|first=Doug |date=July 15, 2012|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=user_review&id=4946 |title=Revival #1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140629102000/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=user_review&id=4946 |archive-date=2014-06-29|website=[[Comic Book Resources]]|access-date=July 23, 2016}}</ref> It had an initial print run of about 18,000 copies and was available with two covers: the standard version by Frison and a 1-in-10 [[variant cover|alternate cover]] by [[Craig Thompson]].<ref name="BCtoth"/><ref>{{cite web|last=Meylikhov|first=Matthew |date=June 12, 2012|url=http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/hype-machine-revival/ |title=Hype Machine: Revival|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921052024/http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/hype-machine-revival/ |archive-date=2016-09-21|website=Multiversity Comics|access-date=July 18, 2016}}</ref> As an added incentive to retailers who normally order on a [[direct market|non-returnable basis]], unsold copies of qualifying orders could be returned to Image in exchange for a credit to their account.<ref name="comchron1">{{cite web|last=Miller|first=John Jackson|url=http://www.comichron.com/monthlycomicssales/2012/2012-07.html |title=July 2012 Comic Book Sales Figures|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170721212827/http://www.comichron.com/monthlycomicssales/2012/2012-07.html |archive-date=2017-07-21|website=Comichron|access-date=July 23, 2016}}</ref><ref name="CBsales1215"/> It quickly sold out at the distributor level and went through at least four printings by December 2012, including one as part of the "Image Firsts" line of $1 reprints in November.<ref name="BCsp">{{cite web|last=Johnston|first=Rich |date=December 19, 2012|url=http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/12/19/image-clarifies-second-print-policy/ |title=Image Comics Clarifies Second Print Policy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920083621/http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/12/19/image-clarifies-second-print-policy/ |archive-date=2016-09-20 |website=[[Bleeding Cool]]|access-date=July 15, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Burlingame|first=Russ |date=November 16, 2012 |url=https://comicbook.com/blog/2012/11/16/image-offers-1-first-issues-of-thief-of-thieves-saga-and-more/ |title=Image Offers $1 First Issues of Thief of Thieves, Saga and More|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901195548/http://comicbook.com/blog/2012/11/16/image-offers-1-first-issues-of-thief-of-thieves-saga-and-more/ |archive-date=2017-09-01|website=ComicBook.com|access-date=July 15, 2016}}</ref> By the end of the year, the first issue had sold an estimated 29,100 copies.<ref>{{cite web|last=Miller|first=John Jackson |url=http://www.comichron.com/monthlycomicssales/2012.html |title=2012 Comic Book Sales Figures|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814101118/http://www.comichron.com/monthlycomicssales/2012.html |archive-date=2016-08-14|website=Comichron|access-date=July 23, 2016}}</ref>

[[File:Em Cypress Minimate.png|thumb|upright=.5|The Em Cypress minimate|alt=refer to caption]]
Subsequent issues also performed well, requiring additional printings to satisfy demand.<ref name="CBRint2"/><ref>{{cite web|last=Melrose |first=Kevin |date=December 12, 2012|url=http://www.cbr.com/image-comics-ends-second-printings-of-known-over-performers/ |title=Image Comics ends second printings of 'known over-performers'|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901201926/http://www.cbr.com/image-comics-ends-second-printings-of-known-over-performers/ |archive-date=2017-09-01|website=[[Comic Book Resources]]|access-date=September 1, 2017}}</ref> The series took a planned one-month hiatus after the fifth issue, which also needed a reprint, to release the first [[trade paperback (comics)|paperback collection]]. During the break, Image offered an extra 10% discount to retailers who increased their orders by 125% in an effort to bring orders in line with demand and eliminate the costs associated with additional printings.<ref name="BCsp"/> In January 2013, the Phantom group, retailers who commission exclusive covers to provide further attention to series they believe deserve more support, selected ''Revival'' to be part of the project.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bradley|first=Drew |date=September 10, 2014|url=http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/the-history-of-variant-covers-part-3-the-modern-era/ |title=The History of Variant Covers, Part 3: The Modern Era|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922002341/http://www.multiversitycomics.com/news-columns/the-history-of-variant-covers-part-3-the-modern-era/ |archive-date=2017-09-22|website=Multiversity Comics|access-date=September 21, 2017}}</ref> Under the Phantom label, the first ten issues were reprinted with new interlocking [[cover art]] by Frison. They were available only at stores operated by the retail group.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://forbiddenplanet.com/picks/what-are-phantom-variant-comics/ |title=Phantom Variant Comics! Full Of Awesome!|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803172028/https://forbiddenplanet.com/picks/what-are-phantom-variant-comics/ |archive-date=2017-08-03|website=[[Forbidden Planet (bookstore)|Forbidden Planet]]|access-date=May 22, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.grahamcrackers.com/search.php?wild=1&SearchFor=revival&x=0&y=0 |title=Matching Products|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803171159/http://www.grahamcrackers.com/search.php?wild=1&SearchFor=revival&x=0&y=0 |archive-date=2017-08-03 |website=Graham Crackers|access-date=May 22, 2017}}</ref> When asked about the book's success in a January 2014 interview, Seeley said "We live and die by word-of-mouth, and so far, the readers and the comic press have been great about spreading the word about our very unusual and unique comic book."<ref name="CBR17">{{cite web|last=Richards|first=Dave |date=January 6, 2014|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=49888 |title=Tim Seeley Explores the Mysteries of his "Revival"|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812100725/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=49888 |archive-date=2016-08-12 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]]|access-date=July 18, 2016}}</ref>

Sales fell to just under 14,000 by issue 12, and continued to fall during the series' second year until the 24th issue sold just more than 9,000 copies.<ref name="cbs15">{{cite web|last=Carter|first=Dave |date=September 4, 2015|url=http://www.comicsbeat.com/image-comics-month-to-month-sales-july-2015-the-walking-on-guard-saga/ |title=Image Comics {{sic|Month-to Month|hide=y}} Sales: July 2015 – The Walking On Guard Saga|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821195019/http://www.comicsbeat.com/image-comics-month-to-month-sales-july-2015-the-walking-on-guard-saga/ |archive-date=2016-08-21|website=The Beat|access-date=July 23, 2016}}</ref> In December 2015, the 35th issue sold an estimated 6,500 copies.<ref name="CBsales1215">{{cite web|last=Carter|first=David |date=February 12, 2016|url=http://www.comicsbeat.com/image-comics-month-to-month-sales-december-2015-oh-what-a-night/ |title=Image Comics {{sic|Month-to Month|hide=y}} Sales December 2015: Oh, What a Night|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602070014/http://www.comicsbeat.com/image-comics-month-to-month-sales-december-2015-oh-what-a-night/ |archive-date=2016-06-02|website=The Beat|access-date=July 23, 2016}}</ref> According to Dave Carter, a writer for ''[[Comics Beat|The Beat]]'', this sales pattern was typical for comics at the time.<ref name="cbs15"/> The series concluded with issue 47 in February 2017, which had estimated sales of about 6,300.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://imagecomics.com/features/image-comics-solicitations-for-february-2017 |title=Image Comics Solicitations For February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220102854/https://imagecomics.com/features/image-comics-solicitations-for-february-2017 |archive-date=2016-12-20|website=[[Image Comics]]|access-date=December 13, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Miller|first=John Jackson |url=http://www.comichron.com/monthlycomicssales/2017/2017-02.html |title=February 2017 Comic Book Sales to Comics Shops|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170521083516/http://www.comichron.com/monthlycomicssales/2017/2017-02.html |archive-date=2017-05-21|website=Comichron|access-date=May 22, 2017}}</ref> Because of the decline in ''Revival''{{'s}} sales, Seeley expressed skepticism about doing another project of similar length in the future.<ref name="Harp"/>

During publication, some ''Revival'' merchandise was offered by third-parties. On October 25, 2014, Screen Panel released four [[Printmaking|art prints]] based on the series created by Angela An, Randy Ortiz, and Frison.<ref>{{cite web|last=Melrose|first=Kevin |date=October 21, 2014|url=http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2014/10/screen-panel-announces-revival-print-series/ |title=Screen Panel announces 'Revival' print series|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908080146/http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2014/10/screen-panel-announces-revival-print-series/ |archive-date=2015-09-08|website=[[Comic Book Resources]]|access-date=July 18, 2016}}</ref> In 2016, an Em Cypress [[minimate]] figure was included in the first wave of the Comic Book Heroes series from [[Diamond Select Toys]]. The figure was available in a two pack with [[Cassie Hack]], another Tim Seeley creation.<ref>{{cite web|last=Dietsch|first=TJ |date=March 5, 2016|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/toying-around-drax-red-sonja-batman-more |title=Toying Around: Drax, Red Sonja, Batman & More!|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160712150813/http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/toying-around-drax-red-sonja-batman-more |archive-date=2016-07-12|website=[[Comic Book Resources]]|access-date=July 23, 2016}}</ref>

The series was collected into eight paperback volumes and four larger-sized hardcover editions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://imagecomics.com/comics/series/revival |title=Revival {{!}} Series|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816001137/https://imagecomics.com/comics/series/revival |archive-date=2016-08-16|website=[[Image Comics]]|access-date=August 12, 2016}}</ref><ref name="mf"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/revival-deluxe-collection-vol.-3-hc |title=Revival Deluxe Collection, Vol. 3 HC|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220101209/https://imagecomics.com/comics/releases/revival-deluxe-collection-vol.-3-hc |archive-date=2016-12-20|website=[[Image Comics]]|access-date=December 13, 2016}}</ref> Seeley described the sales of the collections as "steady", with new monthly orders for the first paperback near 500 as late as 2015.<ref name="Harp">{{cite web|last=Harper|first=David |date=June 8, 2016|url=http://sktchd.com/longform/recency-longform/ |title=Relaunches, Reboots, and Rebirths: Comic Books and the Industry's Growing Obsession with Recency|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630131509/http://sktchd.com/longform/recency-longform/ |archive-date=2017-06-30|website=SKTCHD|access-date=February 16, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Miller|first=John Jackson|url=http://www.comichron.com/monthlycomicssales/2015/2015-03.html |title=March 2015 Comic Book Sales Figures|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414042427/http://www.comichron.com/monthlycomicssales/2015/2015-03.html |archive-date=2015-04-14|website=Comichron|access-date=May 24, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Miller|first=John Jackson|url=http://www.comichron.com/monthlycomicssales/2015/2015-11.html |title=November 2015 Comic Book Sales Figures|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302195553/http://www.comichron.com/monthlycomicssales/2015/2015-11.html |archive-date=2016-03-02|website=Comichron|access-date=May 24, 2017}}</ref> Print translations of ''Revival'' were available in French<ref name="sund"/> and Polish,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://alejakomiksu.com/komiks/18549/Odrodzenie-01-Jestes-wsrod-przyjaciol |title=Odrodzenie #01: Jesteś wśród przyjaciół|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808195038/http://alejakomiksu.com/komiks/18549/Odrodzenie-01-Jestes-wsrod-przyjaciol/ |archive-date=2017-08-08|website=Aleja Komiksu|access-date=August 8, 2017|language=pl}}</ref> and a digital edition was released in German by [[Cross Cult]] in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.overdrive.com/media/2655598/revival-1 |title=Revival 1: Unter Freunden|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220111434/https://www.overdrive.com/media/2655598/revival-1 |archive-date=2016-12-20 |website=[[OverDrive, Inc.|OverDrive]] |access-date=December 13, 2016|language=de}}</ref>

===Collected editions===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Title !!Format!! Material collected !! Publication date !! ISBN
|-
|''Revival'' – Vol. 1: You're Among Friends||Trade paperback|| ''Revival'' #1–5 || December 12, 2012 || {{ISBNT|978-1-60706-659-0}}
|-
|''Revival'' – Vol. 2: Live Like You Mean It||Trade paperback|| ''Revival'' #6–11 || July 17, 2013 || {{ISBNT|978-1-60706-754-2}}
|-
|''Revival'' – Vol. 3: A Faraway Place||Trade paperback|| ''Revival'' #12–17 || February 19, 2014 || {{ISBNT|978-1-60706-860-0}}
|-
|''Revival'' – Vol. 4: Escape to Wisconsin||Trade paperback|| ''Revival'' #18–23<br>''Revival / Chew'' (''Revival'' creators' half) || September 24, 2014 || {{ISBNT|978-1-63215-012-7}}
|-
|''Revival'' – Vol. 5: Gathering of Waters||Trade paperback|| ''Revival'' #24–29 || May 13, 2015 || {{ISBNT|978-1-63215-379-1}}
|-
|''Revival'' – Vol. 6: Thy Loyal Sons & Daughters||Trade paperback|| ''Revival'' #30–35 || December 30, 2015 || {{ISBNT|978-1-63215-472-9}}
|-
|''Revival'' – Vol. 7: Forward||Trade paperback|| ''Revival'' #36–41 || September 7, 2016 || {{ISBNT|978-1-5343-0106-1}}
|-
|''Revival'' – Vol. 8: Stay Just a Little Bit Longer||Trade paperback|| ''Revival'' #42–47 || April 19, 2017 || {{ISBNT|978-1-5343-0056-9}}
|-
|''Revival'' – Vol. 1||Hardcover|| ''Revival'' #1–11 || October 30, 2013 || {{ISBNT|978-1-60706-814-3}}
|-
|''Revival'' – Vol. 2||Hardcover|| ''Revival'' #12–23<br>''Revival / Chew'' || December 3, 2014 || {{ISBNT|978-1-63215-102-5}}
|-
|''Revival'' – Vol. 3||Hardcover|| ''Revival'' #24–35 || January 20, 2016 || {{ISBNT|978-1-63215-540-5}}
|-
|''Revival'' – Vol. 4||Hardcover|| ''Revival'' #36–47 || May 31, 2017 || {{ISBNT|978-1-5343-0042-2}}
|}

===Reviews===
On release, ''Revival'' was part of a resurgence in genre comics and was highlighted for standing out among the large number of zombie comics being published at the time.<ref name="NwsrmaRT">{{cite web|last=Estrella|first=Ernie |date=July 26, 2013|url=http://www.newsarama.com/18501-image-comics-is-creating-alternative-to-superheroes.html |title=Image Comics Continues Creating Alternative to Superheroes|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150916231805/http://www.newsarama.com/18501-image-comics-is-creating-alternative-to-superheroes.html |archive-date=2015-09-16|website=[[Newsarama]]|access-date=July 18, 2016}}</ref> [[Rich Johnston]] went further, saying it distinguished itself from traditional horror stories in general with "compelling psychological themes, undercurrents of religious fervour, and a slick medical detective veneer".<ref name="BCtoth"/> Writing for [[Newsarama]], Ernie Estrella said Norton's artwork set ''Revival'' apart because it did not rely on distressed visuals and shadows to set the atmosphere.<ref name="NwsrmaRT"/> In a review of [[2012 in comics]] for ''[[USA Today]]'', Brian Truitt called ''Revival'' the year's best horror comic.<ref>{{cite news|last=Truitt|first=Brian |date=December 24, 2012|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2012/12/24/best-comic-books-of-2012/1789531/ |title=2012 in comic books: 'Saga' soars among the superheroes|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804015343/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2012/12/24/best-comic-books-of-2012/1789531/ |archive-date=2017-08-04|work=[[USA Today]]|access-date=September 1, 2017}}</ref>

In early reviews, both the art and the writing were praised. The series' specific focus on non-white people, such as the [[Hmong people|Hmong]] and [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]] who live in the area, was appreciated by reviewer Ginnis Tonic.<ref name="wwac"/> ''[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]'' columnist Dan Kois described the series as "grounded in the economic and familial realities of small-town life".<ref name="slate">{{cite magazine|last=Kois|first=Dan |date=February 1, 2013|url=http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/books/2013/02/tim_seeley_and_mike_norton_s_revival_reviewed.html |title=The Town Where the Dead Came Back to Life|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160916134200/http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/books/2013/02/tim_seeley_and_mike_norton_s_revival_reviewed.html |archive-date=2016-09-16|magazine=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]|access-date=July 15, 2016}}</ref> Truitt found the mood and themes to be a mix of [[Elmore Leonard]] and the [[Coen brothers]],<ref name="FN"/> while Kois described Norton's art as "wonderfully specific and evocative of the rural [[Midwestern United States|Midwest]]".<ref name="slate"/> Englert's contributions were singled out by [[Comic Book Resources]]' Doug Zawisza, who thought the colors added an "edginess" to the story.<ref name="CBRrev1"/> Zawisza also liked the way Norton used a variety of body shapes and sizes for the cast.<ref name="CBRrev1"/> Norton included subtle background details, such as music posters and the cleanliness of bedrooms, which was noted by reviewers. Tonic found they added to her understanding of the characters,<ref name="wwac"/> and James Fulton said touches like these excited him "like few have in comics in the last few years".<ref>{{cite web|last=Fulton|first=James |date=September 24, 2012|url=http://insidepulse.com/2012/09/24/the-weekly-round-up-146-with-the-walking-dead-dhp-godzilla-spider-men-5-wonder-woman-0-more/ |title=The Weekly Round-Up #146 With The Walking Dead, Godzilla, Spider-Men #5, Wonder Woman #0 & More|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902013550/http://insidepulse.com/2012/09/24/the-weekly-round-up-146-with-the-walking-dead-dhp-godzilla-spider-men-5-wonder-woman-0-more/ |archive-date=2017-09-02|website=Inside Pulse|access-date=September 1, 2017}}</ref>

As the series progressed, some critics began to express frustration with the comic. Joe Smith, also with ''Inside Pulse'', found the large cast was difficult to track by the fourth issue.<ref>{{cite web|last=Smith|first=Joe |date=October 28, 2012|url=http://insidepulse.com/2012/10/28/review-revival-4-by-tim-seeley-and-mike-norton-image-comics/ |title=Review: Revival #4 by Tim Seeley and Mike Norton (Image Comics)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808211024/http://insidepulse.com/2012/10/28/review-revival-4-by-tim-seeley-and-mike-norton-image-comics/ |archive-date=2017-08-08|website=Inside Pulse|access-date=September 1, 2017}}</ref> In a review of issue 33, Fulton found the series entertaining, but sometimes thought the plot felt directionless.<ref>{{cite web|last=Fulton|first=James |date=July 20, 2015|url=http://insidepulse.com/2015/07/20/the-weekly-round-up-293-with-island-1-book-of-death-1-dead-drop-3-godzilla-in-hell-1-skullkickers-33-more/ |title=The Weekly Round-Up #293 With Island #1, Book of Death #1, Dead Drop #3, Godzilla In Hell #1, Skullkickers #33 & More|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924190249/http://insidepulse.com/2015/07/20/the-weekly-round-up-293-with-island-1-book-of-death-1-dead-drop-3-godzilla-in-hell-1-skullkickers-33-more/ |archive-date=2015-09-24|website=Inside Pulse|access-date=July 18, 2016}}</ref> Not all agreed; ''[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]'' included the comic book in its list of favorite horror comics in late 2016.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=October 21, 2016|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2015/10/required-reading-50-of-the-best-horror-comics.html |title=70 of the Best Horror Comics|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902004933/https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2015/10/required-reading-50-of-the-best-horror-comics.html |archive-date=2017-09-02|magazine=[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]|access-date=September 1, 2017}}</ref>

The conclusion of the series received mostly positive reviews.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://comicbookroundup.com/comic-books/reviews/image-comics/revival/47 |title=Revival #47 Reviews (2017)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002220633/https://comicbookroundup.com/comic-books/reviews/image-comics/revival/47 |archive-date=2017-10-02|website=[[Comic Book Roundup]]|access-date=October 2, 2017}}</ref> Kat Calamia found the series had a "bittersweet ending that brings&nbsp;... great closure to character arcs" and called it "a satisfying conclusion for longtime readers" in her review of the final issue for Newsarama.<ref>{{cite web|last=Pepose|first=David |date=February 27, 2017|url=https://www.newsarama.com/33345-best-shots-reviews-supergirl-being-super-2-revival-47-doctor-who-the-3rd-doctor-5.html |title=Best Shots Reviews: Supergirl – Being Super #2, Revival #47, Doctor Who: The 3rd Doctor #5|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803211500/https://www.newsarama.com/33345-best-shots-reviews-supergirl-being-super-2-revival-47-doctor-who-the-3rd-doctor-5.html |archive-date=2017-08-03|website=[[Newsarama]]|access-date=June 5, 2017}}</ref> James Ferguson agreed in his review for ''[[Horror Talk]]'', emphasizing the creators' success at ending "every [[Narrative thread|plot thread]] that has been hanging out there in a satisfying manner".<ref>{{cite web|last=Ferguson|first=James |date=March 8, 2017|url=https://www.horrortalk.com/reviews/comic-reviews/7203-revival-47-comic-review.html |title="Revival #47" Comic Review|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803172356/https://www.horrortalk.com/reviews/comic-reviews/7203-revival-47-comic-review.html |archive-date=2017-08-03|website=Horror Talk|access-date=June 5, 2017}}</ref> William Kulesa, writing for [[NJ.com]], said that while he had enjoyed the series from the beginning, the conclusion made the whole story worth reading.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kulesa|first=William |date=February 28, 2017|url=http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2017/02/a_really_good_tale_comes_to_an_end_after_5_years_c.html |title=A really good tale comes to an end after 5 years {{!}} Comic Box|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902014928/http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2017/02/a_really_good_tale_comes_to_an_end_after_5_years_c.html |archive-date=2017-09-02|website=[[NJ.com]]|access-date=September 1, 2017}}</ref>

===Awards===
''Revival'' was nominated for three [[Harvey Award]]s in 2013: Best New Series, Best Writer, and Best Artist.<ref name="Harvey2013">{{cite press release|date=July 15, 2013|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=46633 |title=2013 Harvey Award Nominees Announced|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722221743/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=46633 |archive-date=2013-07-22|website=[[Comic Book Resources]]|access-date=July 15, 2016}}</ref> Jenny Frison, who has been called the underappreciated star of the series,<ref name="mf">{{cite magazine|last=Barrett|first=Rich |date=October 30, 2013|url=http://mentalfloss.com/article/53419/5-most-interesting-comics-week |title=5 Most Interesting Comics of the Week|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821230334/http://mentalfloss.com/article/53419/5-most-interesting-comics-week |archive-date=2016-08-21|magazine=[[Mental Floss]]|access-date=July 18, 2016}}</ref> was nominated for Best Cover Artist in 2013 and 2015 in part because of her work on ''Revival''.<ref name="Harvey2013" /><ref>{{cite news|last=McMillan|first=Graeme |date=July 14, 2015|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/2015-harvey-award-nominees-announced-808631 |title=2015 Harvey Award Nominees Announced|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731040704/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/2015-harvey-award-nominees-announced-808631 |archive-date=2017-07-31|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=July 18, 2016}}</ref>

==Adaptations==
===Television===
{{Main article|Revival (upcoming TV series)}}
In October 2012, Seeley and Norton said major networks had approached them about developing a ''Revival'' television series, and later mentioned [[NBC]] specifically.<ref name="BCimitation">{{cite web|last=Kotler|first=Kate |date=January 23, 2013 |url=http://www.bleedingcool.com/2013/01/23/sometimes-imitation-is-not-the-most-sincere-form-of-flattery/ |title=When Imitation Is NOT The Most Sincere Form Of Flattery|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809171658/http://www.bleedingcool.com/2013/01/23/sometimes-imitation-is-not-the-most-sincere-form-of-flattery/ |archive-date=2016-08-09 |website=[[Bleeding Cool]] |access-date=July 15, 2016}}</ref><ref name="NBC">{{cite news|last=Uhlig|first=Keith |date=April 27, 2017|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/local/2017/04/27/wausau-based-comic-revival-live-action-film/100938348/ |title=Wausau-based comic 'Revival' to be live-action film|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901204703/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/local/2017/04/27/wausau-based-comic-revival-live-action-film/100938348/ |archive-date=2017-09-01|work=[[USA Today]]|access-date=September 1, 2017}}</ref> Around this same time, [[ABC Studios]] was involved in a bidding war for the rights to ''The Returned'', an unpublished novel by Jason Mott that dealt with similar themes.<ref name="dlr"/> ABC announced they were moving forward with ''The Returned'' in January 2013, although it was later retitled ''[[Resurrection (American TV series)|Resurrection]]''.<ref name="dlr">{{cite web|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie |date=September 27, 2013|url=https://deadline.com/2013/09/ae-sets-us-version-of-french-series-the-returned-carlton-cuse-in-talks-to-adapt-598494/ |title=A&E Sets U.S. Version of French Series 'The Returned', Carlton Cuse In Talks To Adapt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160905213139/http://deadline.com/2013/09/ae-sets-us-version-of-french-series-the-returned-carlton-cuse-in-talks-to-adapt-598494/ |archive-date=2016-09-05|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|access-date=July 15, 2016}}</ref> Although some fans suspected Seeley and Norton's idea had been stolen, Seeley said "these things just happen sometimes". He said the announcement was "unfortunate" because they had been working with talented people to adapt ''Revival'',<ref name="BCimitation"/> but the television developments would have limited Seeley and Norton's creative input.<ref name="NBC"/>

In September 2013, [[A&E (TV network)|A&E]] bought the rights for an American remake of the French television series ''[[The Returned (French TV series)|Les Revenants]]'' (''The Returned''), which is also about dead people coming back to life as they were before. ''Les Revenants'', in turn, was inspired by a 2004 film of the same name directed by [[Robin Campillo]] and translated into English as ''[[They Came Back]]''.<ref name="dlr"/> When Seeley started working on ''Revival'', a friend recommended he watch ''They Came Back'' to avoid similarities. Since ''The Returned'' is inspired by the film, he and Norton watched it and became fans of the show.<ref name="sund">{{cite news|date=March 2, 2015|url=http://www.sundance.tv/blog/2015/03/6-questions-with-revival-creators-tim-seeley-and-mike-norton |title=6 Questions with "Revival" Creators Tim Seeley and Mike Norton|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920111656/http://www.sundance.tv/blog/2015/03/6-questions-with-revival-creators-tim-seeley-and-mike-norton |archive-date=2016-09-20|work=[[Sundance TV]]|access-date=July 23, 2016}}</ref>

In March 2024, [[Syfy]] had given a series order to a television adaptation of ''Revival'' with an intended 2025 release date.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=2024-05-09 |title=Syfy Picks Up ‘Revival’ Series Based On Comics As ‘Resident Alien’ Fate Remains In Limbo |url=https://deadline.com/2024/05/revival-series-syfy-surrealestate-renewed-season-3-resident-alien-1235910578/ |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>  In September 2024, the main cast was revealed (including [[Melanie Scrofano]] in the lead as Dana Cypress) and that shooting has begun in [[New Brunswick]], [[Canada]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hailu |first=Selome |date=September 18, 2024 |title=Syfy’s ‘Revival’ Comic Book Adaptation Sets Main Cast |url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/syfy-revival-cast-david-james-elliott-1236149076/ |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Film===
At the April 2017 [[Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo]], a film adaptation was announced. It will be co-written by Seeley and Sarah Fischer, directed by Luke Boyce and produced by [[Shatterglass Films]], an independent film company based in [[Champaign, Illinois]]. Larger production firms also expressed interest, but Seeley would have had less input into the film if it were made by them.<ref name="NBC"/> Boyce said he had enjoyed ''Revival'' since its debut, and had been thinking about adapting it long before he met the creators.<ref name="NBC"/> A two-minute [[proof of concept]] [[Teaser campaign|teaser]] was shown at the expo.<ref>{{cite web|last=Arrant|first=Chris |date=April 26, 2017|url=http://www.newsarama.com/34241-live-action-revival-film-in-the-works-with-teaser-trailer-already-made.html |title=Live-Action REVIVAL Film In The Works, With Teaser Trailer Already Made|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426172326/http://www.newsarama.com/34241-live-action-revival-film-in-the-works-with-teaser-trailer-already-made.html |archive-date=2017-04-26|website=[[Newsarama]]|access-date=April 27, 2017}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

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