Corpse Crusaders: The Zombie in American Comics

Corpse Crusaders explores the influence of superheroic generic conventions on comic book zombies, showing how they have been used to defend the status quo and parallel superheroism.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 31 July 2024
Publisher: The University of Michigan Press

Corpse Crusaders is a fascinating exploration of the profound influence early action/adventure and superheroic generic conventions had on shaping comic book zombies. By delving into archival research into Golden Age comics and conducting extended analyses of comics from the 1940s to the present day, the book reveals how these conventions have shaped the zombie character and its role in the comic book medium.

The book begins by tracing the origins of the zombie in comics, starting with the 1940s superhero, The Purple Zombie. It then moves on to explore the various types of zombies that have appeared in comics over the years, including zombie slaves, zombie henchmen, talking zombies, beautiful zombies, and even zombie heroes.

One of the key themes of Corpse Crusaders is the way that the zombie in comics has been used to defend the status quo. Unlike traditional narrative uses of other monsters, the zombie in comics has been portrayed as a figure that works to maintain the established order. This trend has continued throughout the history of comic books, and it provides insight into the overwhelming influence superheroes have had on the medium.

For example, in the 1940s, the Purple Zombie was a superhero who fought against evil and corruption. He was a symbol of hope and justice, and his battles against the forces of darkness helped to establish the superhero genre in comics. However, as the years went by, the Purple Zombie began to lose his popularity, and he was eventually replaced by more violent and aggressive superheroes.

In the 1950s, revenge-from-the-grave zombies became popular. These zombies were often portrayed as evil and dangerous, and they were used to scare readers. However, as the years went by, these zombies began to lose their popularity, and they were replaced by more sympathetic and relatable characters.

One of the most interesting examples of this trend is the character of Simon Garth, also known as "The Zombie." Simon Garth was a villain who was turned into a zombie by a mad scientist. He was initially portrayed as a villain, but as the series progressed, he became a more sympathetic character. He was a hero who fought against evil and corruption, and he was able to use his zombie powers to help others.

In the 1970s, Marvel Zombies became a popular series. These zombies were a group of superheroes who had been infected with a virus that turned them into zombies. They were a dark and gritty series that explored the consequences of superheroism and the impact that it had on the world.

One of the most interesting aspects of Marvel Zombies is the way that the zombies were portrayed. They were not just mindless monsters, but they were complex and nuanced characters. They had their own personalities and motivations, and they were able to interact with each other in a way that was both interesting and entertaining.

Corpse Crusaders also explores the ways that truth, justice, and the American way have influenced the undead in comics. The book argues that these values have played a significant role in shaping the zombie character and its role in the comic book medium. For example, the Purple Zombie was a symbol of hope and justice, and his battles against evil and corruption helped to establish the superhero genre in comics.

However, as the years went by, the Purple Zombie began to lose his popularity, and he was eventually replaced by more violent and aggressive superheroes. This trend was driven by the desire to appeal to a younger audience, and it resulted in a more violent and aggressive comic book medium.

In contrast, the character of Simon Garth, also known as "The Zombie," was a hero who fought against evil and corruption. He was a symbol of hope and justice, and his battles against the forces of darkness helped to establish the superhero genre in comics. However, as the series progressed, he became a more sympathetic character, and he was able to use his zombie powers to help others.

Marvel Zombies also explored the ways that truth, justice, and the American way have influenced the undead in comics. The series was set in a world where superheroes had become infected with a virus that turned them into zombies. The zombies were a dark and gritty series that explored the consequences of superheroism and the impact that it had on the world.

One of the most interesting aspects of Marvel Zombies is the way that the zombies were portrayed. They were not just mindless monsters, but they were complex and nuanced characters. They had their own personalities and motivations, and they were able to interact with each other in a way that was both interesting and entertaining.

In conclusion, Corpse Crusaders is a fascinating exploration of the profound influence early action/adventure and superheroic generic conventions had on shaping comic book zombies. By delving into archival research into Golden Age comics and conducting extended analyses of comics from the 1940s to the present day, the book reveals how these conventions have shaped the zombie character and its role in the comic book medium. The book also explores the ways that truth, justice, and the American way have influenced the undead in comics and turned what is often a rebellious figure into one that works to save the day.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780472056859