A fictional world is only as strong as the rules defining it. Luckily, the Double Take Universe has a very clearly realized look and feel. The publisher understands the need to have well-defined rules that govern the logistics of even something as silly as a zombie outbreak.
Romero originated the idea of Zombies. He’s often cited as the father of the modern zombie, and you’d be hard pressed to challenge that distinction. That ownership came as a result of George’s meticulous detail. His world is so packed with vision, that a thriving pulse moves through it, independent of the narrative.
A Zombie eats flesh. A bite from one turns you. Severing the brain from the spinal cord is the only way to kill one. The longer a zombie lives – the more of its humanity it retains. There is no room for eating brains here – and The Walking Dead coined the “everybody is already infected” angle.
Similarly, the world of Double Take’s Ultimate Night of the Living Dead works with its own pulse. While it may exist in the world of Romero’s original film, diehard fans will notice some small tweaks and changes. I’m not sure how much I’m at liberty to say about these differences, but here goes.
These are zombies in a whole different light. Double Take has their own ideas on how to define these iconic shambling horrors. They aren’t even huge fans of the Z-word. Which tells me, I’m in good hands. While I share a great love for most of Romero’s work its almost become cultural canon at this point. In order to truly stand on it’s own, Double Take’s universe has to take things in their own direction.
There is a distinct timeline for the stories that center around the original Night of the Living Dead. I’ve mentioned it before, but it bears repeating. The timeline clearly outlines when and why things happen the way they do in Double Take’s world.
This timeline involves many aspects of the original film, but there are a few things that stand out. At a certain point in the night, there is the arrival of the Z-Men. I know you’re dying to know what these dudes really are, but you’ll have to wait to find out.
For my own story, I was pushed toward realism on almost every level. I’m dealing with some historically accurate terrible things. Real horrible people on people violence that I can’t go into much detail just yet, but I was encouraged to do as much research as humanly possible.
I recall a phone call with Bill Jemas where he pushed me to get lost in the moment. For him the accuracy comes out in the smaller things – the finer details make a story worth reading. And, it’s absolutely true. Romero didn’t catch people with an info dump character that outlined the rules of his world. He showed them off in the finer details.
I’m often pushed to tell the story with action that informs the reader. We’ve had many conversations about what brings people from one moment to another in comics. You’re not afforded the luxury of exposition where characters can talk about going to the coffee shop, walk there, and sit down. They just always have to be in motion – arriving at their next destination without forced exposition.
This allows a great deal of inventive freedom when approaching how to tell a story in this world. Before I got into doing my outline I was hit with a couple of strict rules for the Double Take Universe. The story isn’t communicated through massive backstory, the characters can learn about the world through a principle they call “pets, jets, and tv sets” which basically means the reactionary pieces of the world around them, and finally to ensure that character’s don’t look like what they do.
These notes were fantastic to get me in the right mind-set for their world. But the subtleties of their world were still a little beyond me. The way the Ultimate Night of the Living Dead universe works it absolutely different. They’re rethinking zombies from the ground up. Once September hits you may find yourself surprised with what these shambling horrors are capable of.
Next was to fully integrate my outline with the world of Double Take. This brand new experience came with its own set of challenges that you’ll hear all about this Friday.
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This Zomblog will run every Monday and Friday until I run out of things to say about zombies. Next time – we tackle social commentary and the power of the media in Zombie movies.
Until then check out Double Take’s blog – Double Take Universe to keep up to date on the incredible comics that will be coming your way in September. And head over to their Kickstarter to secure yourself the full ten launch issues.
