One of the exception to the rule is the comic series “The Walking Dead.”    The ongoing series is created and written by Robert Kirkman and details the experiences of post-apocalyptic survivors after a worldwide zombie outbreak.  Yes, the premise is not original by any means, but “The Walking Dead” has several uniquely strong elements.

Serialized Zombies

It is the only serialized zombie story I know of (aside from Marvel Zombies, also by Kirkman).  With this, readers get a different perspective on the survival genre.  First of all, it details the experience long after the initial outbreak.  Usually, storytellers focus only on the beginning and leave the story at a convenient climax.  Rarely do we get to see survivors truly surviving a life filled with zombies.  With this story, loyal readers can follow the story for years (since 2003 to be exact) and truly understand what it means to be in a zombie world.

Ensemble Cast

Again, with a serialized zombie story, it naturally gives room for a large roster of characters.  For the most part, the characters come and go–by that, I mean die–while the main core of survivors encounter new characters across their journey.  In that, the story feels broader and more realistic in portraying the experience.  A lot of main characters die, but the story continues.

I don’t necessarily categorize the writing as smart, but it is starkly realistic.  There is plenty of gore but also a lot of humanistic drama that deals with adaptation.  There’s enough to entertain any comic book fan.

With the wild success of “World War Z,” this series is a different approach to the genre that I find to be just as successful.  A zombie story with a point, now that’s a rare find.