Triumph of the walking dead : Robert Kirkman's zombie epic on page and screen

**All zombies are created equal. All zombie stories are not.** From its humble beginnings as an indie comic book, __The Walking Dead__ has become a pop culture juggernaut boasting __New York Times__–bestselling trade paperbacks, a hit television series, and enough fans to successfully take on any zombie uprising. __Triumph of The Walking Dead__ explores the intriguing characters, stunning plot twists, and spectacular violence that make Robert Kirkman’s epic the most famous work of the Zombie Renaissance. __The Walking Dead__ novels’ co-author **Jay Bonansinga** provides the inside story on translating the comics into prose; __New York Times__ bestseller **Jonathan Maberry** takes on the notion of leadership (especially Rick Grimes’) during the zombie apocalypse; Harvard professor **Steven Schlozman** dissects the disturbing role of science in the television series; and more. __Triumph of The Walking Dead__ features a foreword by horror legend **Joe R. Lansdale**.

All zombies are created equal. All zombie stories are not.

From its humble beginnings as an indie comic book, The Walking Dead has become a pop culture juggernaut boasting New York Times–bestselling trade paperbacks, a hit television series, and enough fans to successfully take on any zombie uprising.

Triumph of The Walking Dead explores the intriguing characters, stunning plot twists, and spectacular violence that make Robert Kirkman’s epic the most famous work of the Zombie Renaissance. The Walking Dead novels’ co-author Jay Bonansinga provides the inside story on translating the comics into prose; New York Times bestseller Jonathan Maberry takes on the notion of leadership (especially Rick Grimes’) during the zombie apocalypse; Harvard professor Steven Schlozman dissects the disturbing role of science in the television series; and more.

Triumph of The Walking Dead features a foreword by horror legend Joe R. Lansdale.

The Walking Dead gained national attention as AMC?s latest critically acclaimed drama, shattering the network?s previous premiere ratings highs and earning a second season renewal after its very first episode. But before its television debut, Robert Kirkman?s The Walking Dead was a comic phenomenon. James Lowder, veteran editor and author in the horror genre and comics field, collects some of the biggest names in the zombie genre, along with other top horror and comics writers, to discuss the series on both page and screen. Contents include: what makes The Walking Dead so effective as a zombie narrative the television show?s surprising optimism Rick Grimes as Objectivist hero The Walking Dead?s journey from comic to television series Jay Bonansinga, Brendan Deneen, Jonathan Maberry, Kim Paffenroth, Lisa Morton, Kyle William Bishop, Del Howison, Craig Fischer, Kenneth Hite, Kay Steiger, Matt Staggs, Ned Vizzini, Scott Kenemore, Brendan Riley, Arnold T. Blumberg All zombies are created equal. All zombie stories are not. From its humble beginnings as an indie comic book, The Walking Dead has become a pop culture juggernaut boasting New York Times –bestselling trade paperbacks, a hit television series, and enough fans to successfully take on any zombie uprising. Triumph of The Walking Dead explores the intriguing characters, stunning plot twists, and spectacular violence that make Robert Kirkman’s epic the most famous work of the Zombie Renaissance. The Walking Dead novels’ co-author Jay Bonansinga provides the inside story on translating the comics into prose; New York Times bestseller Jonathan Maberry takes on the notion of leadership (especially Rick Grimes’) during the zombie apocalypse; Harvard professor Steven Schlozman dissects the disturbing role of science in the television series; and more. Triumph of The Walking Dead features a foreword by horror legend Joe R. Lansdale . Contents 8 Foreword THE WALKING DEAD, WITH ENTOURAGE by Joe R. Lansdale 10 Introduction IN MEDIAS APOCALYPSIS by James Lowder 14 THE PATHOS OF THE WALKING DEAD by Kyle WIlliam Bishop 22 TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER by Jonathan Maberry 36 FOUR-COLOR ZOMBIES by Arnold T. Blumberg 56 A NOVELIST AND A ZOMBIE WALK INTO A BAR by Jay Bonansinga 74 MEANINGLESSNESS by Craig Fischer 88 ZOMBIE PEOPLE by Brendan Riley 102 NO CLEAN SLATE by Kay Steiger 120 HAPPY (EN)TRAILS by Vince A. Liaguno 136 RICK AND RAND by Ned Vizzini 148 POSTMODERN MERLIN by Kenneth Hite 164 FEEL BETTER? by Steven Schlozman 180 THE WALKING DEAD AND DANCE OF DEATH by Lisa Morton 194 A ZOMBIE AMONG MEN by Scott Kenemore 206 THE HERO WEARS THE HAT by David Hopkins 222 "FOR LOVE IS STRONG AS DEATH" by Kim Paffenroth 238 Acknowledgments 252 About the Editor 254 "The Walking Dead" gained national attention as AMC's critically acclaimed drama, shattering the network's previous premiere ratings highs. This title collects some of the biggest names in the zombie genre, along with other top horror and comics writers, to discuss the series on both page and screen.