BothThe Walking DeadandShaun of the Deadexplore a harsh truth. In a world ravaged by a zombieapocalypse, it’s easy to assume that humanity would be united by the need to survive, yet the reality might not be as heroic. This shared conclusion about the zombie apocalypse reveals something dark about human nature.
In the post-apocalyptic worlds of both the movieShaun of the Deadand the comic book seriesThe Walking Dead,humans enslave the undead. Zombies become tools rather than victims of circumstance. The notion thatzombies should be used as slavesor for menial tasks in any apocalyptic future underscores a grim commentary on society, especially given that zombies retain some consciousness.
The Walking DeadandShaun of the Deadeach depict this dystopian future in their own way, but the idea remains consistent:zombies would be turned into property, manipulated for whatever benefits humanity could extract. But it’s hard not to wonder why both stories reached such similar conclusions about the undead - and what that conclusion says about the living.
Zombies as Tools for Survival
The Walking Deaddoesn’t shy away from the fact that, when faced with limited resources and the collapse of societal norms,humans can become far more dangerous than the zombies themselves.Throughout the series, the undead—awkwardly referred to as “walkers”—are not only a threat but also a resource to be used for survival. One of the most chilling examples occurs when Michonne, a key character, utilizes zombies as shields. By chaining them to her and walking among them, she ensures her safety by masking her scent.
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The Sanctuary, another key location inThe Walking Dead, also uses zombies for a more sinister purpose: security. The compound is surrounded by a chain-link fence, withimpaled walkers lining the perimeter as a deterrent to any potential intruders. This gruesome display is maintained by enslaved survivors, who are forced to handle the dangerous task of placing these zombies around the fence. The use of reanimated bodies as a defensive tool highlights the chilling reality that the undead can be turned into a means of protection, further blurring the lines between life and death in this fractured world.
In the same world, Hershel Rhee takes a step further into exploiting the undead. Hershel, son of Maggie Greene, showcases a traveling “zombie circus” in which the zombies are put on display for entertainment as a grim reminder of the dangers of the past. This chilling business venture reveals howeven the undead can be turned into a commodity.The “See the Walking Dead” show is marketed as a tribute to the fallen, but it’s also a clear demonstration of how humanity has come to see zombies not as tragic victims, but as tools from which to profit.
A Business Built on the Dead
Hershel’s zombie show, “See the Walking Dead,” takes the exploitation of the undead to an extreme. This show highlightsthe grotesque way that humans turn tragedy into a profitable venture, something fans have yet to see reflected in a live-actionThe Walking Deadadaptation. Hershel, who believes he is reminding people of the dangers that still exist, shows no remorse for profiting from the undead. This is his way of coping with the apocalypse, but it’s also a way for him to carve out a space for himself in a world that has lost its moral compass.
Hershel’s attitude towards the zombies is a critical commentary on human morality.
Hershel’s attitude towards the zombies is a critical commentary on human morality. In a world where society has crumbled, humans are forced to confront their basest instincts, and it becomes apparent that the undead—once people—are now seen as nothing more than instruments of survival or spectacle. The treatment of zombies in Hershel’s circus is a sharp contrast to their former human lives, forcing viewers to ask what the story says about humanity’s capacity for empathy.
WhileShaun of the Deadtakes a comedic approach to typical zombie tropes, it, too, dives into the disturbing reality of zombies being used for menial labor. At the end of this British cult classic,zombiesare put to work in supermarkets, performing simple, repetitive tasks for the living. It’s a satirical portrayal, but the underlying message is the same:humanity would not hesitate to use the undead as cheap labor,no matter their tragic circumstances.
Perhaps the most poignant (and darkly funny) example inShaun of the Deadis Shaun’s treatment of his best friend Ed, who becomes a zombie. Instead of putting Ed down, Shaun keeps him chained in the basement so that they can play video games together. This twisted relationship blurs the lines between friend and zombie,suggesting that human attachment can override basic morality. It’s a reflection of how, in the chaos of the apocalypse, the lines between what’s right and wrong become dangerously murky.
At the heart of this theme lies a critique of human nature. The post-apocalyptic worlds ofThe Walking DeadandShaun of the Deadsuggest that, given the right circumstances,humans are willing to dehumanize the undead to survive. Zombies, despite being the reanimated corpses of once-living people, are viewed not as tragic victims but as tools. The ability to take what was once a person and turn them into an object for labor, entertainment, or protection speaks volumes about how humanity can justify even the most cruel actions when survival is at stake.
Looking for more insight intoThe Walking Deadas a comic book? Image Comics is re-releasing each issue of the classic series in a “deluxe” format month-by-month.The Walking Dead Deluxe#108 is available now in-stores from Image Comics.
BothThe Walking DeadandShaun of the Deadaren’t just stories about survival in a world overrun by zombies. They are also parodies of how society might break down under pressure, revealingthe darkest impulses within human nature.These shows portray the idea that, when faced with overwhelming hardship, humans will inevitably look for ways to exploit the undead—turning them into slaves, trophies, or tools—just as they exploit the living.
But Is the Insight Excessive?
It’s possible that both portrayals of zombies—both dramatic and comedic—reflect a chilling truth: in times of extreme stress,humans are capable of dehumanizing others, even those who are no longer alive. Whether in a dark drama or a satirical comedy, both shows suggest that the zombie apocalypse might not be humanity’s worst nightmare; it might be what we do to each other when society crumbles.
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In the end, the horror of the zombie apocalypse isn’t just in the “walking dead”—it’s in how the living might choose to treat them. While exploiting zombies may seem farfetched, both stories ask us to consider a painful truth: humanity’s moral compass could be the real monster in an apocalyptic world.The Walking DeadandShaun of the Deadboth challenge us to reflect on the darkest aspects of human nature, where survival at any cost could lead to the exploitation of even the most tragic of creatures.
The Walking Deadis available now from Image Comics.
The Walking Dead
The Walking Deadis a massive multimedia franchise that began with a comic book series created by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard. The franchise gained widespread popularity with the launch of the television seriesThe Walking Deadin 2010 on AMC, which chronicles the lives of survivors in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies, referred to as “walkers.” The success of the original show has led to numerous spin-offs, web series, video games, novels, and other media. The franchise explores themes of survival, human nature, and the breakdown of society in the face of an existential threat, making it one of the most successful and influential horror series of the 21st century.
Shaun of the Dead
Cast
From director Edgar Wright, Shaun of the Dead stars Simon Pegg as Shaun, an ambitionless slacker who one day finds his world overrun by zombies. From a script by Wright and Pegg, Shaun of the Dead injects comedy into a typically horror-focused subgenre as Shaun and his lazy friend Ed (Nick Frost) attempt to rescue Shaun’s estranged girlfriend and make it through the apocalypse unscathed.
