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[Travis Adkins]

For reference, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zombie_apocalypse

I'm going to try writing an entry in the above article with part of the purpose being to promote Permuted Press books as being accepted as legitimate and influential works in the genre. (They're probably still going to delete it, as they are known to do, but I'm going to try anyway.)

I'd definitely like some help with this, as I'm not very experienced in technical writing, and I've never even written a Wiki entry before, and I'm not even sure how it works. So please feel free to add your thoughts.

Note: We should definitely include books NOT in Permuted's stable, so as not to create an article solely an advertisement.

I'll keep updating this post as new ideas/inspirations come in.

The sub-entry will be titled, "Common themes in zombie apocalypse scenarios"

And here we go:

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COMMON THEMES IN ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE SCENARIOS

> Government creates "Rescue Stations" and orders citizens to congregate to one nearest them. These rescue centers inevitably fail either by internal causes, (outbreaks from within) or external causes, (overrun from the outside.)

examples in film: television broadcasts in Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead

examples in literature: Down the Road



> Survivors must escape/avoid big cities, where there are large populations of zombies.

examples in film: Dawn of the Dead

examples in literature:




> Pockets of humanity survive in fortified communities.

examples in film: Day of the Dead (1985), Land of the Dead

examples in literature: The Walking Dead (comic series), Twilight of the Dead (novel).




> Military/police are corrupt, <and/or> evil/mad/ruthless dictator in charge.

examples in film: Day of the Dead (1985), Land of the Dead, 28 Days Later

examples in literature: Down the Road: On the Last Day




> Lone individuals survive by cunning and constant awareness, i.e. "flight before fight."

examples in film:

examples in literature: The Rising, Dying to Live




> Guns lose practicality for long-term survivors, (i.e. low ammunition, noise attracts unwanted attention.)

examples in film:

examples in literature: Autumn,



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And I'm playing around with another sub-entry:

CAUSES OF ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE:

     The cause of a zombie apocalypse in film/literature is usually only speculated or alluded to. However, while the exact cause is not always revealed, similar themes can be recognized in nearly all works in the genre.

> Christian Rapture (Example: The Dead)

> Germ / Parasite. (Examples: T-Virus in Resident Evil, Solanum in the Zombie Survival Guide, Puppeteer in Roses of Blood on Barbwire Vines.)

> Mysterious chemical. (Examples: 2-4-5 Trioxin in Return of the Living Dead, contaminant from Hope Facility in Hell of the Living Dead.)

> Radiation. (Example: Outer Space probe in Night of the Living Dead.)

> Voodoo / Demon possession. (Example: Zombi 2, The Rising)


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So, what do you guys and gals think?

[HOO-HAA]

Looks good, Travis. Links well and provides a good study of some recurring themes in Zombie lit. Very decent of you to take up the challenge. 

You may also want to ref: zombi 2 as Zombie Flesheaters in the UK.

By the way, has Dave Moody managed to get himself onto Wikpedia?

[Travis Adkins]

Looks good, Travis. Links well and provides a good study of some recurring themes in Zombie lit. Very decent of you to take up the challenge. 

Hey, thanks. I'm gonna try.

You may also want to ref: zombi 2 as Zombie Flesheaters in the UK.

I could, but then I'd have to list every name variant for every movie, including Dawn of the Dead, and including Hell of the Living Dead, which has about umpteen-million different variations.

By the way, has Dave Moody managed to get himself onto Wikpedia?

I just looked. None so far.

[Zombie Zak]

Awesome idea.  Any help you need, we be there to lend a hand.

(going to check the wiki now............please stand by)

[Kody Boye]

Have you ever thought of doing the causes and other things as a more in-depth look? Like how in Resident Evil, the zombies are slow vs. Remake of DOTD they're fast? I don't know how that got started, but it would be interesting. I'm not sure how much I could help, but I could probably find a fiew more movies and some books for you. I'm into that whole zombie shit thing we all like here . . .


Hehehehe, I'm an odd little person.

[Kody Boye]

Here's a few more I came up with:


Movies:

House of the Dead
House of the Dead 2: Dead Aim
Return of the Living Dead
Return of the Living Dead 2
Return of the Living Dead 3
Return of the Living Dead 4: Necropolis
Return of the Living Dead 5: Rave to the Grave
Severed
Frankenstein (Does this count?)
All Souls Day


Books:

World War Z by Max Brooks
Blood Crazy by Simon Clark
Frakenstein by Mary Shelley (same as the movie.)

[Travis Adkins]

Have you ever thought of doing the causes and other things as a more in-depth look? Like how in Resident Evil, the zombies are slow vs. Remake of DOTD they're fast? I don't know how that got started, but it would be interesting.

That would fit more under the "zombie" category, (i.e. types of zombies.) I'm just aiming for entries that would fit in the "Zombie Apocalypse" category.

I'm not sure how much I could help, but I could probably find a fiew more movies and some books for you. I'm into that whole zombie shit thing we all like here . . .

Thanks for the list, but I can probably list off every zombie book and movie just off the top of my head. What I'm more concerned with is how a particular book/film reflects a particular zombie apocalypse scenario. And if there are any common themes/scenarios that I've missed. Know what I mean?

Also looking for help in filling in the blank spots.

[Snell]

RE: CAUSES OF ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE
You might list some uncommon themes too.  How about possession, such as in The Rising?  Or rage, as in 28 Days Later (this might be chemical though, or viral).  And in Roses, the cause of the zombie apocalypse is a parasite called the Puppeteer, which takes over the brain's different centers to control the host.  You can find more info in the fourth chapter, Trav.

RE: COMMON THEMES IN ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE SCENARIOS
How about "character must travel to save a loved one"?  In books, The Rising (Keene) and Dead City (Joe McKinney).

RE: > Pockets of humanity survive in fortified communities.
Don't forget Land of the Dead (movie) in this category.

[Travis Adkins]

RE: COMMON THEMES IN ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE SCENARIOS
How about "character must travel to save a loved one"?  In books, The Rising (Keene) and Dead City (Joe McKinney).

That kinda fits in with apocalypse scenarios in general; too broad just for zombie themed. But when I think about it, Zombi 2 does begin with that plot device... hmmmm.... What do you think?

I totally agree with your other ideas, and incorporated them. Thanks!!!

PS - Congrats on your 666th post, you evil bastard, you.

[Kody Boye]

I'm sure you could . . . I named off all I can remember, but I forget one, even though I've seen it. I understand what you mean about the blank spots . . .

Oh, and for something that causes zombies, don't forget Cell Phones! Lol, King was really creative with that one, hehehehe . . .If Cell would be considered a zombie book, anyway. I wasn't sure what else they could be.

[PatM]

I think it sounds good, too, Travis...... I bet they have other publishers in there.