by Chrystina Trulove-Reyes

Created on: January 07, 2009   Last Updated: March 20, 2009

Zombies are the world's most gruesome creatures. They terrify most people. Creeping, like decaying slugs, into people's nightmares. When you hear the word zombie (or in this case, read the word), your mind calls up an image of an undead person. Maybe that person is decaying, showing ribs, or dropping an arm. However, did you know that there are actually several different types of zombies?

The first zombie is the classic creature from the Night of the Living Dead movies. The second type of zombie is depicted in movies like 28 Days Later and Resident Evil. Then there are the creatures of fiction, such as from Laurel K. Hamilton's the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series. Finally, you have the real creature, the vodoun zombie.

The Classic Movie Zombie

The Night of the Living Dead movies has tormented the dreams of many people since their debut in 1968. These movies created the initial fear over the undead. Many remember the black and white film, which starts with a brother and sister who are visiting a graveyard. They leave the car to place flowers on a grave and suddenly realize that strange people are approaching them. The people move in a strange manner and do not respond when the brother and sister try talking to them. These are the classic zombie, and possibly the best known of all zombies.

The classic zombie is depicted as a dead person. Classic Zombies are dressed in out of date clothing. They hold their arms out in front of them when they sense their next meal, and walk with a shambling gait. They are incapable of bending their knees or elbows except when attempting to claim their prey. They gaze is devoid of life and eyes seem to have a sunken, long-dead appearance to them. It is assumed that they have an acrid, decayed odor, which strengthens as they move steadily closer to their prey.

With this type of zombie, zombie survival requires a two-story house. It is helpful if the house has a basement, as well. If you live in a two-story house, you may want to have a good supply of wooden boards in case of a zombie attack. Zombies seem to have problems with things like boards nailed to windowsills.

The Modern Movie Zombie

Horror movies, such as 28 Days Later and Resident Evil, have revealed a new breed of zombie. This zombie seems to have been turbo charged with energy and strength. They also seem to have some base form of intelligence, like another type of movie zombie, which appeared in Land of the Dead.

This zombie always has some wound with blood pouring out of it.

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