We’ve been talking about iZombie a lot around here lately and for good reason, it’s not only our newest #DCTV show, but it’s also been getting some great reviews. Tonight, you’ll see what all the buzz is about as iZombie debuts on The CW… or will you?

You see, despite our best efforts, we realize that there are some DC Comics fans out there that aren’t planning on watching. Maybe it’s because iZombie is based on a Vertigo comic. Or perhaps you’re strictly super heroes when it comes to your comic book TV. Heck, it may even be that you’ve decided the show just isn’t for you.

There are many, many reasons why you may have left iZombie off your DVR, but if you can spare us a few minutes, we’d like to make a case about why that’s a mistake. In fact, we think iZombie may do far more than simply entertain you—it may just make you fall in love with a zombie. (Let’s see that other popular zombie comic book show do THAT!) Here are our three reasons why you should check out the premiere of iZombie tonight.

In Many Ways, iZombie Actually is a Super Hero Show

She may not be Superman, but Liv actually is something of a super hero. Every time she eats a brain, she’s forced to endure the memories and personality traits of whomever the brain belonged to. In the premiere, she uses those memories to help the police solve the woman’s murder. That’s basically the central hook of the show, but that’s not where it ends. Liv also takes on a bit of their personality. So if the person was, say, very persuasive or extremely intelligent, she’ll gain those qualities for a while. And this is all in addition to the abilities she has simply by being a zombie. She’s pretty invulnerable—gunshots don’t even slow her down.

In short, she may not wear a mask or a costume, but Liv is pretty darn badass.

It Could Bring About a Zombie Renaissance

No, we don’t mean it’ll unleash a flurry of undead artists and philosophers. We’re talking about the zombie as a cultural touchstone. Zombies have been around in entertainment for a while, but they’ve been largely one-note. Admittedly, it’s an effective note, but unlike vampires, of which we’ve seen all kinds of variations, zombies are almost all of the lumbering, rotting, flesh-eating type. (Back in 2002, 28 Days Later was seen as such a revelation simply for introducing running zombies to the formula.)

Well, throw all those rules and expectations away because iZombie takes a fresh approach. Liv may eat brains, but as long as she does this consistently, she remains in control of her humanity. That means she can carry on conversations, maintain friendships, work a job…everything that you and I do. That’s not to say that there aren’t downsides, and the show goes into them, but by introducing the notion of an intelligent, personable and downright cool zombie to popular entertainment, iZombie could prove to be an extremely influential and important show down the line.

This Show Could be the Next TV Phenomenon

Obviously, we can’t predict this one for sure, but let’s look at the contributing factors. iZombie is a highly original show co-created and executive produced by a team known for witty, intelligent and memorable writing. It has a strong, attractive, amazing (trust us on this one—you’re going to love her) female lead who is supported with an equally interesting and clever cast, all delivering some of the best dialog we’ve heard on TV in a while. That female lead kicks butt and solves mysteries and problems that occasionally tie in to the supernatural.

In short, iZombie has all the ingredients in place to inspire the most devote of fanbases. We’re talking the sort of fandom that inspires its own conventions and fansites. The sort of fans that will be very visible at comic conventions in a few years, and that drive conversation within geek communities. Wouldn’t you like to be in on that from the start?

Trust us, iZombie is well worth an hour of your time each week. Once you meet these characters, you’re going to be excited to revisit them each and every week. You’ll be more than happy to welcome a zombie into your home. Okay, so maybe it’s not love in the traditional sense. But considering zombies don’t have hearts, we suspect it’s more than enough.
 

iZombie debuts tonight after The Flash at 9 p.m. (8 p.m. CST) on The CW.