Why Zombies?
So... why zombies? Those critters are all over the place, and there are many different variations on them, but they're common enough even a small child can recognize one. Even before they became "solidified" into the standard zombie we think of, nearly every culture had something zombie-like in their mythologies, something that crawled back from death to threaten the people they once loved. There's something about the very idea that's scared people for centuries.
What exactly is it that makes zombies so universal and enduring, though? Is it a manifestation of our mortality? Is it the decomposition? Their mindless persistence? The idea of seeing someone we once loved turn into a monster?
A couple of years ago, I was at a panel with Kelley Armstrong, and the topic turned to zombies. In her books, zombies are controlled by a necromancer, and she said that for her, the idea of having your soul returned to your decomposing body, fully aware of what was happening but unable to stop it, was far more horrifying than ever having to face down a lurching creature from the grave. And well, I really can't disagree with her there.
How about you? What is it about zombies that draws you to them? Or if you're still hanging around here during zombie month in spite of your hatred of the critters, what is it you can't stand about them? What are some of the best zombies or zombie moments?
What exactly is it that makes zombies so universal and enduring, though? Is it a manifestation of our mortality? Is it the decomposition? Their mindless persistence? The idea of seeing someone we once loved turn into a monster?
A couple of years ago, I was at a panel with Kelley Armstrong, and the topic turned to zombies. In her books, zombies are controlled by a necromancer, and she said that for her, the idea of having your soul returned to your decomposing body, fully aware of what was happening but unable to stop it, was far more horrifying than ever having to face down a lurching creature from the grave. And well, I really can't disagree with her there.
How about you? What is it about zombies that draws you to them? Or if you're still hanging around here during zombie month in spite of your hatred of the critters, what is it you can't stand about them? What are some of the best zombies or zombie moments?