6 People & Groups Creating Great Zombie Entertainment

Groups & Individuals Making Zombie Works & Events

Common Zombie Tropes

There are plenty of fresh and original takes on zombies out there, but there are still a lot of tried-and-true themes, characters, and plot devices that writers come back to again and again. Here are a few of the most popular tropes used in zombie stories:

• The apocalypse
• Destroying the brain or decapitating the zombies
• An army of the dead
• Ragtag group of survivors
• Zombies being slow and stupid
• A virus that infects the world

Could We Survive a Zombie Apocalypse?

8 Great Zombie Movies

1. Anna and the Apocalypse (2017)
2. Dawn of the Dead (1978)
3. World War Z (2013)
4. Shaun of the Dead (2004)
5. 28 Days Later (2002)
6. Night of the Living Dead (1968)
7. Warm Bodies (2013)
8. Dead Snow (2009)

Fun Activities for Horror Fans

For some of us, Halloween is a year-round event. Whether you want to prepare for next October, or always enjoy bringing a little spookiness into your life, here are some fun ideas you could try:

• Read horror books and Creepypastas
• Get a fog machine and make your own haunted house
• Bake spooky desserts, like zombie gingerbread men
• Decorate with cauldrons and skeletons
• Use a Ouija board to hold a seance
• Make a spooky playlist on your favorite music app

Why Do We Love Zombies?

In Depth

Few concepts fascinate the human mind as much as the end of the world. Whether our existence might end due to climate change, a deadly epidemic, or something completely unexpected, people have long explored the post-apocalyptic realm through books, stories, and other events. Central to this genre of entertainment is the figure of the zombie, a reanimated human corpse with a thirst for blood and a hunger for flesh. With a long history in popular media, the undead have thrilled and delighted people for centuries. If you want to learn more about some of the more recent offerings in this area, then here are, in no particular order, six individuals and groups producing remarkable zombie-inspired works and events.

Coming in at #1 is the Zombie Bike Ride. Sponsored by WeCycle Bike Shop, this event takes place each year in October, covering four miles from historic Fort East Martello to Downtown Key West. Launched in 2009, it draws thousands of costumed participants, who can purchase official merchandise and take advantage of face-painting opportunities. The ride culminates in a street party with food, beverages, and music.

Past years have seen a colorful range of costumes, taking inspiration from killer clowns, the Day of the Dead, and "Little Shop of Horrors." Those traveling from faraway places can rent bikes through WeCycle to participate in the Zombie Bike Ride, which has received coverage in a number of outlets, including CNN, "The Washington Post," and "South Florida Gay News."

In the #2 spot is David Moody. A lover of horror movies and post-apocalyptic fiction from a young age, this writer published his first book, entitled "Straight to You," in 1996. Since then, he has written several works in the genres of suspense-laced horror and science fiction. In 2005, he founded Infected Books, a publishing house, which puts out Moody's own titles, as well as zombie-inspired works by other authors such as Wayne Simmons and James Plumb.

Some of Moody's more well-known offerings include the "Hater" series, which chronicles a world overwhelmed by brutal assaults, and the "Autumn" series, which follows a group of survivors struggling to fend off the undead. After publishing these works, Moody also sold the movie rights to two production companies, and a film version of "Autumn" appeared in 2009. His writing has received coverage in several publications too, like "Scream Magazine" and "Penthouse Australia."

At #3 is Zomblogalypse. Initially launched as a black comedy web series, Zomblogalypse brings together Miles, Tony, and Hannah, three survivors of a zombie apocalypse who struggle to adjust to their new existence in the small English city of York. Over four seasons, the trio must cope with a variety of life events, like losing a housemate, locking themselves out of their flat, and navigating the world of romance, all against a post-apocalyptic backdrop.

Initially launched as a black comedy web series, Zomblogalypse brings together Miles, Tony, and Hannah, three survivors of a zombie apocalypse who struggle to adjust to their new existence in the small English city of York.

Following the success of the web series, which was shot on mobile phones and webcams and garnered over one million views, Zomblogalypse was developed into a feature-length film. Drawing inspiration from geek and Internet culture, the series and movie attracted the attention of a variety of publications, including "Photoshoot Magazine" and "Starburst Magazine." To keep fans up to date, Zomblogalypse maintains an active Facebook page, discussing post-production efforts and holiday gift ideas.

Coming in at #4 is Permuted Press. Started in 2004, this independent publisher specializes in the genres of sci-fi, fantasy, post-apocalyptic, and horror fiction. Since its founding, it has released almost 500 works from a number of different authors. It publishes books in a variety of ways, including virtual, audio, and print formats. To distribute its traditionally printed books, Permuted Press teams up with Simon and Schuster.

Specific titles in the zombie genre from Permuted Press, many of which are parts of longer series, include "Blue Plague: The Fall," "New Salem," and "The Withered." For those interested in learning more about the publishing process, Permuted Press's website collects relevant articles, which have covered topics such as reviews of new releases, author interactions with well-known figures, and television appearances of its writers.

For those interested in learning more about the publishing process, Permuted Press's website collects relevant articles, which have covered topics such as reviews of new releases, author interactions with well-known figures, and television appearances of its writers.

In the #5 spot is the NYC Zombie Crawl. First launched in 2007, this event brings together fans of the undead to create a genuine zombie experience, placing a particular emphasis on special effects makeup and creative costumes. Past events have seen participants wander through bars and other venues in Coney Island and other neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Manhattan, and have attracted a variety of comedians, musical acts, and opportunities to donate canned goods.

In addition to the main Zombie Crawl, which happens annually, this organization spreads information about other post-apocalyptic affairs that take place throughout the year. Examples range from raves and short distance runs in New York to Halloween parties and movie previews in Philadelphia. In recognition of the NYC Zombie Crawl's popularity and success, the group has appeared in several media outlets, like "The Village Voice" and "The Wall Street Journal."

Last but not least, at #6 is Jeremy Wagner. A multi-talented artist, Wagner has penned lyrics to countless songs, which he performs, as a guitarist, with his death metal band "Broken Hope." Elsewhere, he writes books and shorter works in the dark fiction genre. Some of his more popular titles are "The Armageddon Chord," which tells the story of an ancient song with the power to trigger the end of the world, and "Rabid Heart," a love story set after the outbreak of a deadly pandemic.

Elsewhere, he writes books and shorter works in the dark fiction genre.

Complementing these full-length novels are Wagner's works of short fiction, which have appeared in collections such as "Hungry for Your Love: An Anthology of Zombie Romance" and "Slices of Flesh," which gathers flash fiction in the horror genre. On his personal website, he maintains a lively blog, discussing things like book awards, signings and readings, and participating in art exhibits. Wagner's unique position as a musician-writer has led to articles discussing his work in "Consequence of Sound," "Outburn Magazine," and "Kirkus Reviews."