digg

Facebook Connect Join Digg About
See the original image at booksandauthorsblog.com

Pulp Zombie Fiction: How Zombies Shambled into Pop Culture

booksandauthorsblog.com — It's generally accepted that horror’s iconic monsters have a long and colorful literary history. The ghost and vampire, for example, both trace their heritage back to distinguished works of fiction from the nineteenth century and earlier. However, the zombie really did not become a part of American popular culture until 1929.

Who dugg this? Made popular Feb 26, 2009

Digg DudeWhat is Digg?

Digg is a place for people to discover and share content from anywhere on the web. Digg surfaces the best stuff as submitted and voted on by the community. Take the Tour to learn more.

45 Comments

show profanity settings
expand all
  • jstroot, on 02/25/2009, -0/+28I don't necessarily believe in zombies, but I still prepare for the zombie apocalypse.

    Blades don't need re-loading!!
  • woohhaa, on 02/25/2009, -0/+15World War Z disturbed me deeply.
  • braditude101, on 02/25/2009, -0/+11TANK!!!
  • Poland, on 02/26/2009, -1/+11This site is also among the undead...
  • DrHoliday, on 02/26/2009, -0/+10There's just something untiringly awesome about zombies.

    I've played countless video games and watched numerous movies with zombies and it just never gets old. I can't communicate the sheer satisfaction of blowing to hell a zombie that's moaning its way toward you.
  • NotYourProdigy, on 02/26/2009, -1/+10Good first paragraph, but then you link it to the global financial crisis. Your obviously just reaching for the closest thing.
  • voldron, on 02/26/2009, -0/+9Screw this I'm going to the Winchester!
  • Murdats, on 02/26/2009, -0/+7thats why you have a shotgun in the hilt of your sword, if it gets stuck in their skull just blow it off.
  • NotYourProdigy, on 02/26/2009, -0/+6Grabbing a mol-a-tov
  • MiDri, on 02/26/2009, -0/+5Flamethrower might kill them, but they're still going to come after you whilst they are on fire -- you need something with some kinetic force, hell a fire hose would be more effective.
  • chuckDontSurf, on 02/26/2009, -1/+6Yeah, I'll go check it out over at infowars' Zombie section. That had to be one of the most ridiculous, forced segues I've seen.
  • Foofoofoofoobar, on 02/26/2009, -0/+4I dugg this because I never thought one could link zombies to nutty conspiracy theories, but I was wrong. An excellent piece of literature, sir.
  • Hetman, on 02/25/2009, -0/+4It is better to be safe than sorry, is what I always say.
  • Murdats, on 02/26/2009, -0/+4zombies and nazis, the two groups where mass murder is appropriate.
  • mycoplasma, on 02/26/2009, -0/+4They shambled into pop culture by causing internal server errors?
  • wetard57, on 02/26/2009, -0/+4I hate stairs
  • RobotBuddha, on 02/26/2009, -0/+4That's always amazed me about zombies as well. When I was young I went through the local video stores horror section in phases. Vampire movie phase, werewolf, zombie....but the zombies stuck. I don't find them scary, which I did when I was a kid. But ten years later after having seen almost every zombie movie out there I still can't get enough. I don't care how bad the movie is, if it has zombies I'll watch or play it.
  • MadHarvey, on 02/26/2009, -0/+4That is why zombie films resonate. Especially the Romero films, which make pointed social statements on mindless consumerism, politics, etc. Dawn of the dead being the best example, and one of the best movies of all time.

    The real power of vampire stories is in the sexual metaphor. Most vampire films are about the loss of virginity and purity, and how it is both desired on a deep level, yet resisted due to societal concerns. That is why vampire stories connect deeply with females...
  • scojerroc, on 02/26/2009, -0/+3not undead. just dead.
  • blinker265, on 02/26/2009, -0/+3mirror please
  • NotYourProdigy, on 02/26/2009, -0/+3NO, because if the organized become zombies, then they will become: dah dah daaaaaah...organized zombies.
  • patm1987, on 02/26/2009, -0/+3http://rorr.im/
  • inactive, on 02/26/2009, -0/+3It's not the monster itself that is popular, but the story that goes with it. Society reduced to shambles and humanity locked in a death match with an unrelenting foe presents some compelling drama. I believe most people read zombie books and watch zombie movies with the thought "How would I react in this situation?" in the back of their minds. It provides some survivalist fantasy to our automated existance.
  • NoobpwnYa, on 02/26/2009, -0/+3No no no. Just cut the neck.
  • Frnnkdlxx, on 02/26/2009, -0/+3basically. hey, gotta propogandize somehow.
  • tmyprod, on 02/26/2009, -0/+2The lobo.
  • inactive, on 02/26/2009, -0/+2Yeah, good luck not getting infected when your trying to kill a zombie up close with sharp blades. I'd prefer to stand back and shoot 'em in the head with a pistol.
  • NotYourProdigy, on 02/26/2009, -1/+3If infection is the case, then certainly a flame thrower is better.
  • throwinshapes, on 02/26/2009, -0/+2Organize before they rise!
  • philosophyzombi, on 02/25/2009, -0/+2I generally prefer blunt weapons. Blades can get stuck in the skull.
  • LightUrple, on 02/26/2009, -0/+2Yeah, the flamethrower is one of the worst weapons you could use on zombies. They wouldn't go down until the brain suffered enough damage. Instead of being surrounded by zombies, you'd be surrounded by zombies on fire (not a better scenario). After you're done killing them, then you can burn the bodies if you're afraid on infection. Just be aware the fire may attract more zombies.
  • Yage2006, on 02/26/2009, -0/+1I never really understood the popularity of zombies.
    I don't find them scary and the movies they are in just seem so generic to me. There is no sense of suspense if they are the only badguy.
  • dty2010, on 04/17/2009, -0/+1You know what's worse than a horde of hungry zombies? A horde of flaming hungry zombies.
  • Frnnkdlxx, on 02/26/2009, -6/+7We identify with zombie movies so much because subconciously we know that WE are the zombies. It's like Vampire films. Even though it's completely ridiculous in the mystical aspects, we understand that there are people who could be considered vampires because of their abilities to lure you into their company and then take advantage of you. People who are very well informed about history and the world and who are evil beyond comprehension. And people who, like the founder of the KKK, who is known to have kidnapped women, held them for days while cutting them and drinking their blood. Not for any sustenance reasons, but for the pure power of his domination. Sounds crazy when you hear it out of the blue like this, but it's actually true. Check it out.

    Zombies, are a representation of what we will become when the global financial crisis reaches its apex. Just like the CIA memorandum about domestic disturbance reported a few years ago, after 2-3 days of starvation, humans will rob and steal for food, after 4-5 days, we will kill and plunder for food. After that, we start eating EACHOTHER. That's a fact, and like all good entertainment, this brand of science fiction is based on reality.

    For a more in depth evaluation on it, go to http://infowars.com and check it out.
  • JoeParanoid, on 02/27/2009, -0/+1I'm not a zombie but I've played one in a couple of films.
  • mynameistux, on 02/26/2009, -1/+2mirror
  • KaiUno, on 02/26/2009, -0/+1A SIR and a K.
  • Lazn0r, on 02/27/2009, -0/+1Better safe than sorry, Better safe than sorry, Better safe than sorry, Better safe than sorry...He bit me? I can't believe he bite me...Better safe than sorry, Better safe than sorry, Better safe than sorry.
  • bralynn, on 02/26/2009, -0/+1I've got a blog about Zombies over here. Look! A blog about zombies!
  • Frnnkdlxx, on 02/26/2009, -0/+1*bows* *mutters off more conspiracy websites* *is blocked*
  • Jack8274, on 02/26/2009, -0/+1World War Z aroused me greatly.
  • spookyttws, on 02/26/2009, -2/+2Although a bit long that was a surprisingly inept look in zombie lore.
  • Rollic, on 02/26/2009, -1/+1The site is back up. Sorry for the linking problems.
  • lazybuoy, on 02/26/2009, -2/+1I can't ***** wait for the zombie apocalypse.
  • DaigojiGai, on 02/25/2009, -2/+1LIGHTS! Shhh, a witch....

    xxxombie - rick remender for teh win.

  • Add a Comment

    Login or register to comment!
    Or, sign-in super fast with your Facebook account ...


© Digg Inc. 2009 — Content created and posted by Digg users is dedicated to the public domain | Terms of Use Updated | Privacy Policy
DIGG, DIGG IT, DUGG, DIGG THIS, Digg graphics, logos, designs, page headers, button icons, scripts, and other service names are the trademarks of Digg Inc.