The zombie genre has become one of the most popular and enduring genres in popular culture. Zombies have become a staple of horror movies and have been featured in books, television shows, video games, and comic books. While the genre has become increasingly popular in recent years, the zombie has a long history in culture and literature. This article will look at the history of the zombie genre, its popularization, and the evolution of the genre.
History of Zombies
The word zombie originated in the West African language of Kongo and was used to refer to a dead person who had been brought back to life. The concept of the zombie, however, has been around for centuries in various forms. In many cultures, the dead were believed to be able to return from the grave and haunt the living. In other cultures, the dead were believed to be able to possess and control the living. These beliefs were often associated with witchcraft, sorcery, and voodoo.
Origins of Zombies
The modern concept of the zombie was first developed in the early 20th century. The first use of the word zombie in popular culture was in the 1915 film White Zombie, which starred Bela Lugosi. The film, which was based on William Seabrook’s 1929 book The Magic Island, was the first to depict zombies as mindless, reanimated corpses. This depiction of the zombie was further popularized by the 1932 film, I Walked with a Zombie.
Early Representations of Zombies
Early representations of zombies were often rooted in voodoo and Haitian folklore. In these stories, zombies were often created by a voodoo priest or witch doctor to be used as slaves or to do their bidding. These stories were popularized by films such as The Serpent and the Rainbow and The Living Dead at Manchester Morgue.
Zombies in Folklore
Zombies have had a long history in folklore and mythology. In many cultures, the dead were believed to be able to return from the grave and haunt the living. In ancient Greece, the dead were believed to be able to return as ghosts or shades. In some Native American cultures, the dead were believed to be able to possess and control the living. Zombies have also been featured in various creation myths, such as the Babylonian Epic of Gilgamesh and the Hindu Bhagavad Gita.
Zombies in Literature
Zombies have been featured in a number of literary works, including Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and H.G. Wells’ The Island of Doctor Moreau. In these works, zombies were often used as metaphors for the horrors of technology and scientific progress. Zombies were also featured in H.P. Lovecraft’s works, such as The Dunwich Horror and At the Mountains of Madness.
The Zombie Genre Becomes Popular
It wasn’t until the late 1960s and early 1970s that the zombie genre became popular in mainstream media. This was due in large part to the work of George Romero, who is widely regarded as the father of the modern zombie genre. His 1968 film, Night of the Living Dead, revolutionized the genre and spawned a number of sequels and imitators.
George Romero and the Dawn of the Dead
George Romero is best known for his 1978 classic, Dawn of the Dead. The film was a box office success and a critical favorite, and is widely considered to be one of the best zombie films of all time. The film was also the first to introduce the idea of a zombie apocalypse, in which the living dead overwhelm and destroy civilization.
The Impact of Dawn of the Dead
Dawn of the Dead had an enormous impact on the zombie genre and popular culture. The film spawned a number of sequels and imitators, and the zombie apocalypse concept has been used in countless films, books, and video games. The film’s success also helped to popularize the zombie genre in general.
The Popularity of Other Zombie Movies
In the years that followed, the zombie genre gained more and more popularity. Films such as 28 Days Later, Shaun of the Dead, and Zombieland helped to reinvigorate the genre, and the success of these films paved the way for the resurgence of the zombie genre in popular culture.
Zombies in Other Media
The zombie genre has also made its way into other forms of media. Zombies have been featured in television shows such as The Walking Dead, video games such as Resident Evil and Left 4 Dead, and comic books such as The Walking Dead and Marvel Zombies. Zombies have also been featured in a number of pop songs and music videos.
Modern Zombie Culture
The zombie genre has seen a resurgence in recent years, and has become a major part of modern pop culture. Zombies have become so popular that they have spawned a number of sub-genres and spawned a number of new trends.
The Survival Genre
The zombie genre has given rise to the survival genre, which is focused on the idea of surviving in a world overrun by zombies. The survival genre has become increasingly popular in recent years, with films such as World War Z and The Walking Dead, video games such as DayZ and The Last of Us, and television shows such as Fear the Walking Dead.
The Rise of Zombie TV Shows
The success of The Walking Dead has also led to a number of other zombie-themed television shows, such as Z Nation and iZombie. These shows have focused on the idea of surviving in a zombie-infested world and have become popular in their own right.
Zombie Video Games
The popularity of the zombie genre has also led to a number of popular zombie-themed video games. Games such as Resident Evil, Left 4 Dead, and Dead Rising have become some of the most popular and successful games of all time. These games have helped to further popularize the zombie genre and have spawned a number of sequels and spin-offs.
Zombie Popularity in Other Genres
The zombie genre has also had an influence on other genres. Zombie-themed comedies such as Shaun of the Dead and Zombieland have become popular, as have zombie-themed romance novels such as Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Zombies have also been featured in animated films such as Hotel Transylvania and ParaNorman.
Zombies in Comic Books
Zombies have also been featured in a number of popular comic books. Marvel Comics has featured zombies in a number of its titles, such as Marvel Zombies and Marvel Zombies vs. The Army of Darkness. DC Comics has also featured zombies in its titles, such as the popular series Kingdom Come.
Zombie Genre Evolution
The zombie genre has seen a number of changes over the years. George Romero’s original vision of the zombie has evolved, and new types of zombies have been introduced. This evolution has been largely driven by the popularity of the genre.
Romero’s Evolution of the Zombie
George Romero’s original vision of the zombie was that of a slow-moving, mindless undead creature. This depiction of the zombie was used in the original Night of the Living Dead and its sequels. This depiction of the zombie has become the standard in the genre, and is still used in many films and video games.
The Slow Zombie
The slow zombie has become one of the most popular types of zombies. This type of zombie is usually depicted as a slow-moving creature that is easy to outrun. This type of zombie is often used in films and video games as a way of introducing tension and suspense to the story.
The Fast Zombie
The fast zombie is a more recent addition to the genre. This type of zombie is usually depicted as a fast-moving creature that is capable of running and attacking its victims. The fast zombie has become increasingly popular in recent years, and has been featured in films such as 28 Days Later and World War Z.
The Zombie Apocalypse
The zombie apocalypse has become a popular trope in the genre. In this scenario, the living dead have overrun the world and the survivors must fight to survive. This concept has been used in films such as Dawn of the Dead and World War Z, as well as video games such as Left 4 Dead and The Last of Us.
The Supernatural Zombie
The supernatural zombie is a more recent addition to the genre. This type of zombie is usually depicted as a creature that is capable of using supernatural powers, such as mind control or possession. This type of zombie has been featured in films such as 28 Days Later and I Am Legend, as well as television shows such as The Walking Dead.
The Future of the Zombie Genre
The zombie genre has become increasingly popular in recent years, and its popularity shows no signs of slowing down. The genre is constantly evolving, and new types of zombies are being introduced. There is also a growing trend towards the expansion of the genre into other media, such as television, video games, and comic books.
The Zombie Hype
The popularity of the zombie genre has led to what is known as the “zombie hype”. This is the idea that the zombie genre is growing in popularity and that it is here to stay. This has led to a number of new zombie-themed films, books, and video games being developed.
Zombie Genre Expansion
The zombie genre is also expanding into other genres. Zombie-themed comedies, romances, and animated films are becoming increasingly popular. The zombie genre has also been featured in a number of popular video games, such as Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto.
New Types of Zombies
New types of zombies are also being introduced. Supernatural zombies, fast zombies, and intelligent zombies have become increasingly popular in recent years. These new types of zombies are being used to add more depth and complexity to the genre.
The End of the Zombie Genre?
Despite the popularity of the zombie genre, some have argued that the genre is in decline. They point to the lack of new zombie-themed films and the dwindling popularity of existing zombie-themed films and video games. Whether or not the zombie genre is in decline remains to be seen.
Conclusion
The zombie genre has become one of the most popular and enduring genres in popular culture. The genre has seen a number of changes and evolutions over the years, and has become increasingly popular in recent years. Zombies have become a staple of horror movies and have been featured in books, television shows, video games, and comic books. The future of the zombie genre remains uncertain, but one thing is certain: the zombie genre is here to stay.
The Continued Popularity of Zombies
The zombie genre has become increasingly popular in recent years and shows no signs of slowing down. Zombies have become a staple of horror movies and have been featured in books, television shows, video games, and comic books. The zombie genre has also spawned a number of sub-genres and spawned a number of new trends.
The Zombie Genre’s Impact on Pop Culture
The zombie genre has had a major impact on pop culture. The genre has become a major part of modern pop culture and has spawned a number of new trends. The genre has also been used as a way to explore themes such as the dangers of technology and the fragility of civilization.
The Potential Future of Zombies
The future of the zombie genre remains uncertain, but one thing is certain: the zombie genre is here to stay. New types of zombies are being introduced and new sub-genres are being explored. The zombie genre is constantly evolving and, with any luck, will continue to entertain and captivate audiences for years to come.
References:
White Zombie. (n.d.). Retrieved April 2, 2021, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Zombie_(film)
I Walked with a Zombie. (n.d.). Retrieved April 2, 2021, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Walked_with_a_Zombie
The Serpent and the Rainbow. (n.d.). Retrieved April 2, 2021, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Serpent_and_the_Rainbow
The Living Dead at Manchester Morgue. (n.d.). Retrieved April 2, 2021, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Living_Dead_at_Manchester_Morgue
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Dead Rising. (n.d.). Retrieved April 2, 2021, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Rising
World War Z. (n.d.). Retrieved April 2, 2021, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_Z_(film)
Z Nation. (n.d.). Retrieved April 2, 2021, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z_Nation
iZombie. (n.d.). Retrieved April 2, 2021, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IZombie
DayZ. (n.d.). Retrieved April 2, 2021, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DayZ
The Last of Us. (n.d.). Retrieved April 2, 2021, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_of_Us
