Monsters of Horror: Zombies
What is a zombie? This is a question that many people have asked themselves, especially after watching movies or playing video games featuring these undead creatures. In this blog post, we will explore the origin, characteristics and types of zombies, as well as some of the ways to deal with them.
The word zombie comes from Haitian folklore, where it refers to a dead body that is reanimated by magic, usually by a sorcerer or a priest who wants to use it as a slave. According to some sources, the process of creating a zombie involves removing part of the person’s soul and then reviving their corpse.
However, the modern concept of a zombie is different from the Haitian one. It was largely influenced by the works of George A. Romero, an American filmmaker who made several movies about zombies, starting with Night of the Living Dead in 1968. Romero’s zombies are not controlled by anyone, but are driven by a primal instinct to feed on human flesh. They are also contagious, meaning that anyone who is bitten or scratched by a zombie will become one of them. Romero’s zombies can only be stopped by destroying their brains, which are the source of their animation.
There are many variations of zombies in fiction and media, depending on the cause and nature of their reanimation. Some zombies are created by radiation, viruses, parasites, fungi or other scientific means. Some zombies are fast and agile, while others are slow and clumsy. Some zombies retain some memories or emotions from their previous lives, while others are mindless and soulless. Some zombies can even talk or use weapons.
Zombies are usually portrayed as a threat to humanity, as they can cause a zombie apocalypse, which is a scenario where most or all of the human population is infected or killed by zombies. In such a situation, the survivors have to fight for their lives and resources, while avoiding or killing zombies. There are many stories and games that depict how people cope with a zombie apocalypse, such as The Walking Dead, World War Z, Resident Evil and Left 4 Dead.
Zombies are also a popular subject for comedy and satire, as they can be used to mock or criticize various aspects of society or culture. For example, Shaun of the Dead is a comedy film that parodies zombie movies and British culture. Zombieland is another comedy film that features zombies and humour. Warm Bodies is a romantic comedy film that tells the story of a zombie who falls in love with a human girl.
Zombies are fascinating and terrifying creatures that have captured the imagination of many people. They are also a source of entertainment and inspiration for many writers and artists. Whether you love them or hate them, you cannot deny that zombies are an integral part of our culture and media.
© Colin Lawson Books