2010 – The Year of the (Un)Dead
Posted on January 8, 2011 by Nancy
2010 was the Year of the Zombie (again). In fact, the first 10 years of the new millennium can safely be called the Decade of Apocalyptic Fiction. Movies, books, comics — you name it. There was a surge in interest in the sub genre that has never been seen before. And the interest shows no signs of slowing down.
Movies and television shows have managed to incorporate some form of zombie feature. Whether an alien virus taking over the world (in Smallville) or a demon unleashing a plague of the apocalypse (in Supernatural), writers and directors found something to draw in the zombie crowds.
There have also been numerous articles trying to explain the appeal of the zombie culture. Deep sociological analysis, fun fluff pieces, and even courses on respected college campuses.
And a recap of the Zombie Decade would not be complete without mentioning what is likely to become the most important television series in Zombie History: The Walking Dead. Based on the comics by Robert Kirkman, the show produced by Gale Anne Hurd and written/directed/produced by Frank Darabont has taken the world by storm. Intricate, fun, emotional and bloody, the show has captured the interest of zombie fans and even those that typically stay away from horror. You can watch clips and interviews at amctv.com as well as at fearnet.com. Check out the recaps of episodes here at Flames Rising as well.
But the zombies haven’t been alone. 2010 also saw increased interest — also again — in the works of H. P. Lovecraft, particularly all things Cthulhu. From shows like South Park to comics and movies and anthologies, Cthulhu’s “reign” was assured.
This list covers some notable works that are zombie-inspired, Lovecraft-inspired, apocalyptic, general horror or have horror elements. Some I have read, watched or played and others have caught my interest enough to want to read, watch or play them in the near future. If available, click on the link to find out more.
Novels:
Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry
It’s Okay to be a Zombie: An Unchildren’s Book by Nathaniel Lambert, with artwork by Danny Evarts
Empire by David Dunwoody (Rerelease)
The Painted Darkness by Brian James Freeman
Waking the Witch by Kelley Armstrong
Who Fears Death by Nnedi Okorafor
Television and Web Series:
30 Days of Night: Blood Trails
Fear Clinic
Anthologies/Short Stories:
The New Dead edited by Christopher Golden
Best Horror of the Year, Vol. 2 edited by Ellen Datlow
Elements of the Apocalypse featuring D.L. Snell, John Sunseri, R. Thomas Riley, & Ryan C. Thomas
Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King
Dark Faith edited by Maurice Broaddus and Jerry Gordon
Cthulhu’s Reign edited by Darrell Schweitzer
The Living Dead 2 edited by John Joseph Adams
Movies:
Black Swan
Cabin Fever 2
Saw 3D
Survival of the Dead
Piranha
Resident Evil: Afterlife
Magazines/zines:
Video Games:
God of War 3
Dead Nation
Left 4 Dead
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II – Chaos Rising
Comics:
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8 (Twilight Arc)
The Last Zombie by Brian Keene
The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman
Locke & Key: Crown of Shadows by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez
Expect 2011 to bring more of the apocalyptic as we get closer to the fabled 2012. After that (if the world is still around) will we see in an increase in cute and cuddly (or even evil) unicorn fiction? Who knows. Whatever type of works in fiction are on the horizon, one thing is certain: a zombie never dies. Sometimes not even when you shoot it in the head.
Written by Nancy O. Greene
Tags | post-apocalyptic, zombies
And there was even quite a bit of the undead shuffling about on America’s stages as well… See Heuer’s MARRIAGE…AFTER DEATH and THREE ZOMBIES AND A DEMON for examples. http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Three-Zombies-and-a-Demon/125610347490609