Types of Zombies!

For this Sunday’s fun post let’s hit the Types of Zombies and the various types of fictional Zombie Apocalypse!

Zombies have shuffled their way into our hearts (or should we say brains?) as iconic figures of horror and pop culture.  They are both terrifying and gleefully destroyed mass-market cannon fodder!  (Er-hum, jump to “Shaun of the Dead!”)

But did you know that there’s more to these shambling undead than meets the graying decaying eye?

From the slow and steady Romero classics to the lightning-fast sprinters, the diverse landscape of zombie lore is filled with unique subtypes, each with its chilling quirks and terrifying abilities.  The fact is that writing zombies as anything less than foils is pretty difficult!

Until the zombies have somehow accrued enough power to level up, and then things get iffy for our protagonists!

So, whether you’re a seasoned zombie slayer or a curious newcomer, prepare to have your undead knowledge expanded. Let’s hit the many faces of zombification.

We need to hit them in the face to stop them anyway!

We’ll dissect the origins of these flesh-hungry fiends, delve into the science (or lack thereof) behind their creation, and encounter some of the most iconic zombie subgenres that have ever terrified our nightmares.

Get ready to meet the slow-moaners, the rage-aholics, the ones with a taste for brains (and everything else), and even the surprisingly sophisticated. Just remember, keep your wits about you, because in the world of zombies, the only thing more terrifying than a horde of the undead is realizing you might be one of them!

 

Let’s begin our journey into the chilling world of zombie diversity

What Are The Main Types of Zombies In Fiction?

There are many different types of zombies in fiction, but some of the most common include:

• The Classic Romero Zombie:

  These are the slow, shuffling zombies that were first popularized by George A. Romero in his 1968 film “Night of the Living Dead.” They are typically mindless and decaying, and they only have one goal: to eat human flesh.  If I recall movie lore correctly these were supposed to be an allegory for mindless consumers shuffling along and eating each other.

• The Fast Zombie:

  These zombies are much more dangerous than their classic counterparts because they can run and jump. They were first popularized in the 2002 film “28 Days Later,” and they have since become a staple of the zombie genre.  These critters always freaked me out.

• The Infected Zombie:

  These zombies are created by a virus or other pathogen that infects the living. They are typically more intelligent than other zombies, and they may even retain some of their memories and personality.  Infected zombies seem ultra-common now as the preferred writing trope.

• The Cosmic Zombie:
  

  (If You Jumped Down From The Start, Jump Back HERE)

  These zombies are created by some form of extraterrestrial or cosmic event. They are often more powerful than other zombies, and they may have special abilities.  Shaun of the Dead used this Cosmic asteroid strike method if I remember correctly, and with typical humor, they made it into a really enjoyable movie!

  

• The Magically or Voodoo Summoned Zombie:

  These zombies are created through voodoo magic. They are typically under the control of a voodoo priest or other sorcerer, and they can be used to carry out his will.  These examples of zombies I used sparingly in All Hallows and I first encountered in the Dungeons & Dragons Lore of my youth.  I posted All Hallows HERE if you want to look at that one, but the zombies are only passing ‘bit’ players.

  (HAHAHA!  See what I did there! 😛 )

• The Animal Zombie:

  These zombies are created when animals are infected with the same virus or pathogen that turns humans into zombies. They can be just as dangerous as human zombies, and they may be even harder to kill.  The zombie dogs in the Resident Evil movies and games are the first that come to mind for me here.

• The Exploding Zombie:

  These zombies are created when a zombie’s body becomes filled with gas or other explosive material. When they are killed, they explode, showering their surroundings with gore and debris.  The best that comes to mind here is the bloated Flood from the Halo series.

The Origin Zombie Tales:

Zombie Tales From Haitian Folklore:

The history of zombie stories can be traced back centuries to Haitian folklore, where the belief in zombies was deeply rooted in the cultural and religious practices of the people. The term “zombie” itself is derived from the Haitian Creole word “zombi,” which means “spirit” or “ghost.”

In Haitian folklore, zombies were believed to be corpses that had been reanimated through magical means, typically by a powerful sorcerer known as a bokor. These reanimated corpses were said to be mindless and soulless, driven only by an insatiable hunger for human flesh.

Zombies Introduced To Western Culture:

The concept of zombies was first introduced to Western audiences in the mid-19th century through accounts of Haitian voodoo practices. These accounts often sensationalized and exaggerated the belief in zombies, portraying them as monstrous creatures that posed a threat to the living.

The first major work of fiction to feature zombies was William B. Seabrook’s 1929 non-fiction book “The Magic Island,” which included a chapter on Haitian voodoo. Seabrook’s book further popularized the concept of zombies and helped to solidify their image in Western culture.

In the 1930s and 1940s, zombies began to appear in horror films, such as Bela Lugosi’s “White Zombie” (1932) and Victor Halperin’s “Voodoo Island” (1949). These films further cemented the association of zombies with voodoo and the supernatural.

The Modern Zombie Menace:

The modern concept of zombies was born in the 1960s with the release of George A. Romero’s film “Night of the Living Dead” (1968). Romero’s film depicted zombies as reanimated corpses that were driven by a hunger for human flesh but were not the result of voodoo magic. Instead, they were caused by an unknown plague.

Romero’s film was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to define the modern zombie genre. It also sparked a revival of interest in zombie stories, which have continued to be popular in film, television, literature, and video games.

Popularity Of The Zombie Horde:

The popularity of zombie stories can be attributed to several factors. Zombies represent a number of our deepest fears, such as death, disease, and the loss of control. They can also be seen as a metaphor for our fears of violence, contagion, and social collapse.

Zombie stories also provide a cathartic way for us to deal with our fears and anxieties. They allow us to explore these fears in a safe environment, and they can even help us to feel more prepared for the challenges of the real world.

In addition, zombie stories can be simply entertaining. They are often filled with action, suspense, and gore, and they can provide a thrilling escape from reality.

Zombies Overall:

Overall, zombie stories are a powerful and versatile form of storytelling that continues to resonate with audiences around the world. They offer a unique blend of horror, social commentary, and escapist entertainment that is sure to keep audiences entertained for years to come.

How Are Zombies Most Commonly Created In Fiction?

In fictional narratives, zombies are often brought to life through a variety of means, ranging from mystical and supernatural forces to scientific explanations like viruses or radiation. Here are some of the most common methods of zombie creation in fiction:

1. Voodoo or Magic:

   In the early depictions of zombies, particularly those inspired by Haitian folklore, zombies were often reanimated through voodoo rituals or magical spells. This involved the manipulation of the soul or spirit of the deceased, forcing it back into their decaying body.

   The most common causes here are through nefarious villains like other more powerful undead or some form of necromancy causing the corpse to reanimate.  Many older movies seemed to favor this method, as did the creation of zombies in roll-playing properties like Dungeons & Dragons.

2. Virus or Disease:

   Modern zombie fiction frequently employs the concept of a contagious virus or disease as the cause of zombification. This virus can be airborne, spread through bites or scratches, or even transmitted through contaminated food or water. Once infected, the virus rapidly deteriorates the brain, turning the living into mindless, flesh-eating creatures.

   These diseased variants seem extremely common in modern fiction, both on screen and in books.  It is difficult to name a Zombie movie in the last 20 years where these undead were NOT created by some pathogen!  These are everywhere from the Walking Dead to the Halo series and its Flood.

3. Radiation or Chemical Exposure:

   In some fictional settings, exposure to radiation or hazardous chemicals can trigger zombification. This could be due to nuclear accidents, biological warfare, or industrial disasters. The exposure causes mutations or alterations in the body’s cells, leading to a reanimation of the corpse and a loss of cognitive function.

   Truth be told, in American zombie fiction, it is difficult to recall having ever seen a film where zombies were created by Radiation exposure.  However, it makes sense that earlier fiction from the 40s & 50s, with society in the shadow of nuclear war, would use this method of creating these monsters.

4. Technological Control, Scientific Experiments, or Accidents:

   

   Scientific experiments involving genetic engineering, nanotechnology, or other advanced technologies can sometimes go awry, resulting in the creation of zombies. These experiments may be intended to create enhanced humans or cure diseases, but they can lead to unintended consequences, transforming the subjects into undead creatures.

   The immediate Tech-Zombies that come to mind are almost always Star Trek’s Borg!  Star Wars fiddled with this too.  But the Star Wars version was after I stopped reading those books, admittedly.  Creating zombie stormtroopers just seems a little counterproductive.  [Insert Star Wars joke] Those boys already couldn’t shoot straight!  Zombie Stormtroopers would surely be no threat shambling around and shooting each other.

5. Cursed Objects or Relics:

   In supernatural or horror fiction, zombies may be created through the influence of cursed objects, ancient artifacts, or malevolent spirits. These objects or entities can possess or manipulate the dead, forcing them to rise as mindless servants or vengeful creatures.

   The cursed object zombification that comes to mind is the Mummy movies.  I think it was the second movie where the bald guy was trying to bring back his adulterous lover.  He kept pulling powerful undead back up to serve as mindless zombie guards.

6. Cosmic Events or Natural Phenomena:

   In some stories, the cause of zombification is attributed to extraterrestrial phenomena, such as alien invasions or meteorite impacts. These events may release unknown pathogens or alter the Earth’s environment, causing widespread zombification among the human population.

   As mentioned above, Simon Pegg’s zombie movie Shawn of the Dead did this well!  The book that did this best in my memory was by Chris Fox, in his Deathless Series.  Chris Fox used a combination of BOTH the biological contaminant and solar or cosmic events.  I got the box set of six books on Audible and really enjoyed it!

   This box set was a STEAL!  It was about 75 HOURS of audio time for one Audible credit!  If you are interested in that series here is a link:

   

7. Divine Intervention or Supernatural Forces:

   In some fictional settings, the creation of zombies links to divine intervention or the actions of supernatural beings. Gods, demons, or other powerful entities may choose to raise the dead as a punishment, a weapon of war, or simply as a display of their power.

   I know there are many more examples.  The best recent example I have seen of this Zombification is in the Eisenhorn book with the Chaos Cultists being seduced and taken over by the power of dark gods of the warp’s immaterium.  The higher-ups retain some free will but the lowers are pretty well wiped out by the demonic powers and are little more than meat-puppets for demons.  I listened to four of these on Audible, and I think I’m linking the right one here where he needs to bust apart a cult cell – though it is the second book.

   

The specific method of zombie creation in a fictional narrative often serves a thematic purpose, reflecting the author’s exploration of scientific, social, or philosophical concepts. The choice of creation method can also influence the overall tone and atmosphere of the story, adding elements of horror, suspense, or even dark humor.

Remember Kids, These Types of Zombies Can’t Get You!

And so, our tour through the terrifying tapestry of zombie types comes to a close. We’ve encountered the slow, the fast, the brainy, and the downright bizarre, each one a testament to our boundless imagination when it comes to conjuring up the ultimate horror.

Zombies Can’t Get You:

But before you tuck yourselves in tonight, shrouded in the comforting darkness of your rooms, remember this: these types of zombies can’t get you! They may lurk in the shadows of our stories, but they remain fictional figures, born from the fertile soil of our creativity.

So, keep exploring these chilling tales, revel in the thrills and chills, and let your imagination run wild. Just remember, when you turn off the screen or close the book, you step back into a world where the loudest monster you’re likely to encounter is the alarm clock in the morning.

Sleep Soundly:

So sleep soundly, dear readers, and dream of adventures, not of the undead. Because after all, the only thing scarier than a zombie apocalypse is a boring one.

It’s not like these different types of zombies are here already!

Right?

Sweet dreams, and remember, read, watch, and be terrified… but never, ever be afraid.

Again, if you have not seen them yet, the only story I’ve written including zombies so far is All Hallows.  There are a few works on the horizon that may include them, but All Hallows is the only currently published story with zombies.