Fear The Walking Dead has arrived bringing a new type of zombie apocalypse with it. Instead of throwing the viewer into the middle of a world gone to hell, we’re treated to a slow descent into madness that captures contemporary fear in new and alarming ways. I’ve seen the first two episodes of the AMC spinoff series, and the closest thing I can compare it to is Double Take’s Ultimate Night of The Living Dead.
Now hear me out. I know we’ve already ranted about Fear The Walking Dead. But let’s get another take. The tone of this new series is very different than the sister series. The new series makes character drama a center point, and therefore the story seems much more palpable. Double Take has created a mantra that is unique to the world of comics, that celebrates character above all else.
It’s also important to mention that in both worlds the downfall of humanity isn’t quite exactly how we’ve typically pictured it. This creates an uncanny sense of familiarity to the whole ordeal that seems relatable. Double Take has built a dialogue first mentality that mirrors what the pilot of “Fear The Walking Dead” does right. Our stories in the Ultimate Night of the Living Dead universe begin with a fully realized oral story that carries throughout the background of the issue’s plot.
My book, “Race” just finished it’s first pass on dialogue. And the story was developed with an action first mentality that makes for a cinematic story driven by character relationships that could be communicated without a single line uttered between them. The tension builds through the visuals in any Double Take book. Fear The Walking Dead works in much the same way. Both warrant their existence through being a thoughtful alternative to the typical zombie yarn. The zombies in Fear The Walking Dead move faster, look healthier, and bite twice as hard, and Double Take’s do too.
I do have to say that I was quite stunned by how similar these things seem to align. In an age where zombie narratives are a dime a dozen, you have to do something startlingly different to stand out. Now, Fear isn’t something profoundly new. But, Double Take’s zombies are a brand new take on an old idea made by people who have a grand understanding of what zombie movies were when they were made unbelievably well.
This year feels like it could be a strange and interesting year for zombies. We’re finally treating these ridiculous undead creatures to new ideas. A lot of recent zombie stories rely on unsatisfying zombie kills to drive their narrative. Double Take’s process isn’t willing to sacrifice substance for style, they are taking cues from Fear The Walking Dead before even seeing it. Which shows that great ideas come in pairs, I just know that Double Take’s zombies are better than those in The Walking Dead because I know what’s coming, and you’re not ready for it.
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This Zomblog will run every Monday and Friday until I run out of things to say about zombies.
Until then check out Double Take Universe to keep up to date on the incredible comics that will be coming your way in September.
Fear The Walking Dead premieres on AMC Sunday August 23rd.
