Review: The Walking Dead Season 1

"The Walking Dead" premiered on AMC in 2010, quickly becoming a cultural phenomenon and a ratings juggernaut. Based on the popular graphic novel series of the same name, the show follows a group of survivors in the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at the first season of "The Walking Dead" and what made it such a compelling and groundbreaking piece of television.

The first season of "The Walking Dead" consists of six episodes, which were all directed by Frank Darabont. The season begins with sheriff's deputy Rick Grimes waking up from a coma to find that the world he knew has been destroyed by a zombie outbreak. Rick sets out to find his family and other survivors, eventually coming across a group of survivors led by a man named Shane.

One of the most striking things about the first season of "The Walking Dead" is its cinematic quality. The show was shot on 16mm film, giving it a grainy, atmospheric look that sets it apart from other TV shows. The cinematography is frequently breathtaking, with a focus on the beauty and desolation of the post-apocalyptic landscape.

The show's use of zombies is also noteworthy. Rather than simply being mindless killing machines, the zombies in "The Walking Dead" are depicted as tragic figures, people who have been transformed into monsters by a cruel twist of fate. The show's makeup and special effects are top-notch, with the zombies looking realistic and terrifying.

Of course, what makes "The Walking Dead" truly great is its characters. Andrew Lincoln's performance as Rick Grimes is a standout, with the character's journey from a confused and vulnerable survivor to a leader who will do whatever it takes to protect his people being one of the show's most compelling arcs. The rest of the cast is equally strong, with actors like Sarah Wayne Callies, Jon Bernthal, and Steven Yeun bringing depth and humanity to their characters.

Overall, the first season of "The Walking Dead" is a stunning achievement in television. From its breathtaking cinematography to its nuanced character development, the show sets a high bar for zombie stories and post-apocalyptic fiction. If you haven't yet watched the first season of "The Walking Dead," we highly recommend it. It's a thrilling and emotional ride that's not to be missed.

Review: The Walking Dead graphic novel

"The Walking Dead" is a graphic novel series created by writer Robert Kirkman and artist Tony Moore. First published in 2003, the series has become one of the most popular and influential comics of the 21st century. Set in a world overrun by zombies, "The Walking Dead" tells the story of a group of survivors as they navigate the dangers of a post-apocalyptic landscape.

One of the most distinctive features of "The Walking Dead" is its focus on character development. While there are plenty of zombie kills and action sequences, the heart of the series lies in its complex and nuanced characters. From the series' protagonist, Rick Grimes, to its wide cast of supporting characters, each individual has their own backstory, motivations, and flaws.

The series also offers a realistic and grounded take on the zombie apocalypse. Unlike many other zombie stories, "The Walking Dead" emphasizes the difficulty of survival in a world where basic resources like food and shelter are scarce. The series also explores the psychological toll of living in a world where death is a constant presence.

Another key aspect of "The Walking Dead" is its exploration of morality and ethics in a lawless world. The series frequently raises questions about what it means to be a good person in a world where the rules have changed. Characters must make difficult choices about when to show mercy, when to take revenge, and when to sacrifice their own well-being for the greater good.

In addition to its compelling characters and thought-provoking themes, "The Walking Dead" is also notable for its visual style. The artwork by Tony Moore and later Charlie Adlard is gritty and realistic, with a focus on detail and texture that immerses readers in the post-apocalyptic world.

"The Walking Dead" has had a significant impact on the zombie genre, inspiring countless imitators and spin-offs. The series has also been adapted into a hit television show, which has become one of the most popular shows on television.

In conclusion, "The Walking Dead" is a must-read for fans of zombie stories and post-apocalyptic fiction. The series offers a unique take on the genre, with a focus on character development, realism, and ethical questions. With its gritty artwork and compelling storytelling, "The Walking Dead" has earned its place as one of the most influential and beloved comics of the 21st century.

World War Z: a book and movie comparison

World War Z continues to be one of my favorite movies. If it's on, I'll watch it. Even though fast zombies scare the crap out of me. The book is one of my favorites also, but if you've read/watched you know that they vary drastically. It's still good entertainment and storytelling in my opinion.

"World War Z" is a 2006 novel by Max Brooks that tells the story of a global zombie outbreak and its aftermath through a series of interviews with survivors. The book is widely regarded as a classic of the zombie genre, and its unique storytelling style has made it a favorite of readers around the world. In 2013, a movie adaptation was released, which departed significantly from the source material. In this blog post, we'll compare the book and movie versions of "World War Z".

The most significant departure from the book is the movie's focus on a single protagonist, Gerry Lane (played by Brad Pitt). In the book, there is no central character, and the story is told through the accounts of various survivors. This change fundamentally alters the nature of the story, shifting it from a collection of individual stories to a traditional action-adventure movie with a hero at its center.

Another significant difference is the portrayal of the zombies. In the book, the zombies are slow-moving and relatively easy to kill. They are a constant threat but are not presented as an unbeatable enemy. In the movie, the zombies are fast-moving and ferocious, capable of overwhelming even large military forces. This change creates a sense of urgency and danger that is absent from the book.

The movie also alters the tone of the story, emphasizing action and suspense over the book's more introspective and philosophical approach. While the book explores themes of survival, society, and human nature, the movie focuses more on thrilling set-pieces and suspenseful sequences.

Despite these differences, the movie does share some similarities with the book. Both versions of the story explore the global impact of a zombie outbreak and the ways in which different societies respond to the crisis. Both versions also examine the role of the military and government in responding to the outbreak.

While the movie adaptation of "World War Z" differs significantly from the book, it still manages to capture some of the essence of the original story. The movie offers a thrilling and suspenseful take on the zombie genre, while the book is a more thoughtful and introspective exploration of society, human nature, and survival. If you're a fan of zombie stories, both versions of "World War Z" are worth checking out, but they offer different experiences and perspectives.

I Am Legend: A Book and Movie comparison

I am a sucker for post-apocalyptic movies and books. One of my favorites is I Am Legend. I watched the movie multiple times since its release but I only just recently read the book.

"I Am Legend" is a 2007 post-apocalyptic movie starring Will Smith, based on the 1954 novel of the same name by Richard Matheson. While the movie takes many liberties with the original source material, it still manages to capture the essence of the novel and offers a unique perspective on the story.

The most significant departure from the book is the portrayal of the monsters. In the movie, they are not vampires but rather infected humans who exhibit zombie-like behavior. This change alters the dynamic between the protagonist, Robert Neville, and the monsters. In the book, Neville is the only human in a world of vampires, which makes him the ultimate outsider. In the movie, Neville is still isolated but is not the last human, which changes the dynamic of the story.

Despite the changes to the monsters, the movie still explores themes of isolation, morality, and survival. Will Smith's performance as Neville is powerful, capturing the desperation and loneliness of the character. The movie also examines the relationship between Neville and his dog, which serves as a source of comfort and companionship in a world devoid of human contact.

The movie also offers a unique perspective on the ending of the book. While the novel ends on a bleak note, with Neville being executed by the vampires, the movie offers a more hopeful conclusion. Neville sacrifices himself to save a group of survivors and discovers that a cure for the virus may exist. This change in the ending offers a glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak world, providing a satisfying conclusion to the movie.

Overall, while the movie takes many liberties with the source material, it still manages to capture the essence of the novel. It explores similar themes and offers a unique perspective on the story. Will Smith's performance is excellent, and the movie's ending offers a satisfying conclusion. If you're a fan of the novel or post-apocalyptic movies in general, "I Am Legend" is worth a watch.

A review: I Am Legend

"I Am Legend" is a 1954 horror novel by Richard Matheson that tells the story of Robert Neville, the last surviving human in a world overrun by vampires. The novel is widely regarded as a classic of the horror genre, and its influence can be seen in numerous works of popular culture.

One of the strengths of "I Am Legend" is its exploration of the psychological toll of isolation. Neville is the last living human in a world of vampires, and his loneliness and despair are palpable throughout the book. Matheson's writing is haunting and effective in conveying Neville's mental state.

The book is also notable for its portrayal of the vampires. Unlike the supernatural creatures of earlier vampire stories, Matheson's vampires are the result of a scientific pandemic. They are more akin to zombies than the elegant, aristocratic vampires of earlier fiction, and their portrayal as mindless, bloodthirsty monsters adds to the horror of the story.

Another notable aspect of "I Am Legend" is its exploration of societal norms and morality. Neville's actions are often driven by his own survival instinct, and he must grapple with the ethical implications of his choices. The novel raises important questions about what it means to be human and how we define morality in extreme situations.

Overall, "I Am Legend" is a haunting and thought-provoking novel that has left a lasting impact on the horror genre. Its exploration of isolation, societal norms, and morality is both chilling and insightful. If you're a fan of horror or science fiction, this classic novel is definitely worth a read.

CHRONICLE WORLDS: HALF WAY HOME

A long long time ago I wrote a story about a young man living alone on a distant planet. He was mutated but the only one to survive in his colony. He starts to think he’s going crazy. And he just might be…

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From Windrift Books: “In the future, distant planets are colonized by A.I.-piloted starships. Journeys take centuries, so the ships carry human embryos, to be thawed, fully-grown, and A.I.-trained with the skills to colonize their new world.

This is the universe of Hugh Howey‘s bestselling “Half Way Home”, which followed one colonial foray on a new world. But that was one world of a thousand worlds targeted by Earth’s ships. That adventure, one of a thousand…

The FUTURE CHRONICLES is proud to present CHRONICLE WORLDS: HALF WAY HOME – bringing together fifteen of the most exciting new voices in speculative fiction to explore the universe created by Hugh Howey, to chronicle the astounding unexplored worlds of HALF WAY HOME.”

I am thrilled that my short story Moon Lord is included in this anthology!

Supernatural S6:E5: Vampires can warm hearts

Season 6, episode 5 of Supernatural, titled "Live Free or Twihard," is a hilarious and action-packed episode that blends humor, horror, and pop culture references in a way that only Supernatural can. Rewatching this in 2023 brought back lots of memories of the Twilight years, books, movies, and this episode came along to make us laugh.

The episode follows Sam and Dean Winchester as they investigate a series of vampire attacks in a small town. However, these vampires are not like any they've faced before - they're obsessed with the Twilight book series and act like stereotypical teenage girls. This leads to some hilarious moments, such as when Dean dresses up like Edward Cullen to blend in with the vampire crowd.

Despite the comedic elements, the episode still manages to be suspenseful and thrilling, with some genuinely scary moments as the Winchesters confront the vampire leader. The action sequences are well-choreographed and the special effects are impressive, making for an engaging viewing experience.

One of the standout aspects of the episode is the chemistry between the actors. Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles have a natural rapport that makes the banter between their characters feel genuine and adds to the overall entertainment value of the show.

Overall, season 6, episode 5 of Supernatural is a fun and enjoyable installment in the series that showcases the show's ability to seamlessly blend horror and humor. With its engaging storyline, well-executed action sequences, and hilarious pop culture references, it's definitely worth a watch for fans of the show.