ENGL-101: Canonical Works of Zombie Literature
Welcome to the end of the world.
Zombie Apocalypse.
In this universe, at any instant, your loved ones can fall victim to the most gruesome deaths imaginable. You have to be smart, well trained, and lucky to survive long enough to even question,
What happened?
To avoid certain death I have designed a curriculum, a canon of the most important past, present, and future works of Zombie literature that will no doubt help you on your decent into dystopia. The following resources will entertain, educate, and most importantly – help you adapt to our new world.
Their world:
How to Survive:
The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead
Published in 2003, Max Brooks (Mel Brook’s son) faux-survival guide became an instant pop-culture legend. It’s amazingly detailed research, careful observations, and history of Zombie culture is a must read for all remaining survivors of the Zombie uprising.
This is your bible.
[Brooks] outlines virtually every possible zombie-human encounter, drafts detailed plans for defense and attack and outlines past recorded attacks dating from 60,000 B.C. to 2002. In planning for that catastrophic day when "the dead rise," Brooks urges readers to get to know themselves, their bodies, their weaponry, their surroundings and, just in case, their escape routes.
Find it HERE
The Zombie Movie Encyclopedia
Romero’s Night of the Living Dead remains the most important cinematic portrayal of the Zombie rebellion, but countless films have documented our collective fears, nightmares, and potential reactions to a zombie uprising. This comprehensive guide collects, explains, and shelters hundreds of important movies. Read. Watch. Learn.
The exhumation of zombie films from obscurity is accomplished in terrifying detail in The Zombie Movie Encyclopedia. The first exhaustive overview of the subject, this book evaluates over 200 movies from 16 countries over a 65-year period starting from the early 1930s. It mostly treats feature-length films, covering everything from large studio productions to backyard videography, but also touches on memorable episodes of television series and miscellaneous shorts.
Find it HERE
Masterworks in Zombie Fiction:
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
Snobby Literary Critics and Jane Austen Aficionados alike condemned Pride and Prejudice and Zombies for being nothing more then a marketing gimmick, designed to capitalize on the explosion in popularity of all things Zombie.
They were wrong, and therefore, eaten first.
Zombies answer certain puzzling questions: Why were those troops stationed near Hertfordshire? Why did Charlotte Lucas actually marry Mr. Collins? (She had recently been bitten by zombies and wanted a husband who could be counted on to behead her—of course.
Find it HERE
Paul is Undead
"Paul is Dead."
Violence and music go hand-in-hand as the zombiefied Lennon, Harrison, and McCartney fight, eat, and rock their way to fame and popularity while ninja lord Ringo Starr tries to keep them out of trouble. Nothing can stop them–not even a vampiric Pete Best, zombie-killing Mick Jagger, rival ninja Yoko Ono, or bad reviews.
Find it HERE (Preorder)
Hater (Vol. I of the Hater Trilogy)
Author David Moody self published Hater in 2005– but when it found its way into the hands of Guillermo Del Toro, he recognized its potential and subsequently, Moody’s dark vision will someday find its way to the silver screen. Ironically, Hater is filled with social commentary on how social deterioration is inherently linked though the act of watching television.
Incidents of random violence escalate to a condition that threatens the social fabric of the country. Those afflicted with the violent impulse are dubbed Haters. The rapid onset of the disorder, exacerbated by the frighteningly inadequate government response, leaves Danny and his family virtual prisoners in their own home.
Find it HERE
Dog Blood (Vol II of the Hater Trilogy)
Find it HERE (Preorder)
Patient Zero
Patient Zero: A Joe Ledger Novel, is the first book in a new series penned by multiple Bram Stoker Award winning recipient, Jonathan Maberry. Scheduled to be followed this year by The Dragon Factory and in 2011 by The King of Plagues. Jonathan Maberry’s novel reads like an intense screenplay.
When you have to kill the same terrorist twice in one week there's either something wrong with your world or something wrong with your skills… and there's nothing wrong with Joe Ledger's skills.
Find it HERE
The Strain
Despite opting out of his directorial duties on The Hobbit, Guillermo Del Toro's The Strain (series) is extremely valuble to the Zombie literature canon.
Despite featuring "Vampires" – not zombies, this novel is uniquely important to the canon because it presents an alternative perspective on bio-terrorism and is very different from conventional portrayals of a massive "infection" or plague that threatens human existence.
The Strain is everything you want from a horror novel–dark, bloody, and packed full of mayhem and mythology. But, be forewarned, these are not like any vampires you've met before–they're not sexy or star-crossed or "vegetarians"–they are hungry, they are connected, and they are multiplying – Daphne Durham
Find it HERE
The Walking Dead Compendium (Vol. 1)
Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead Compendium One is 1008 pages that spins one of the most important contributions to the zombie genre ever created. The art (Tony Moore issue #1-#7 and Charlie Adlard from issue #7 onward) is simply outstanding, horrific, and what you would expect for a long running zombie themed graphic novel (series) – but it’s Kirkman’s strong character development and knack for creating believable (and interesting) dialogue within each frame that is truly captivating.
A must read.
READ: The T.V. series is already in development
An epidemic of apocalyptic proportions has swept the globe, causing the dead to rise and feed on the living. In a matter of months, society has crumbled: There is no government, no grocery stores, no mail delivery, no cable TV. Rick Grimes finds himself one of the few survivors in this terrifying future. A couple months ago he was a small town cop who had never fired a shot and only ever saw one dead body. Separated from his family, he must now sort through all the death and confusion to try and find his wife and son. In a world ruled by the dead, we are forced to finally begin living.
Find it HERE
Your Stories:
World War Z
Brooks tells the story of the world's desperate battle against the zombie threat with a series of first-person accounts "as told to the author" by various characters around the world. A Chinese doctor encounters one of the earliest zombie cases at a time when the Chinese government is ruthlessly suppressing any information about the outbreak that will soon spread across the globe.
Find it HERE
Nature vs. Nurture is Irrelevant to the Zombie – Adapt Accordingly:
Zombies for Zombies: Advice and Etiquette for the Living Dead
If somehow, you’re turned – and none of your loved ones are around to immediately gun you down with a shot to the cerebellum – read this.
Zombies for Zombies is a motivational guide designed specifically to make a profound difference in your accidental, strange new life. You say you don't want to become another one of those ghastly creatures you see on the news out in the Tempe Containment Zone? You don't have to—if you follow the great advice inside, including:
Find it HERE
There are countless resources to educate yourself properly on Zombies – share your favorite Zombie movie, comic, or book in the comments section!
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