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Payton, Ross. Zombies of the World: A Field Guide to the Undead. Springfield: Slang Design, 2011.
Review by G.L. Giles
As Payton explains in his Preface, this book sprang from two of his loves: “zombies and nonfiction books on fictional topics.” I would add to that his obvious love of approaching zombie lore with a wonderful sense of humor. This gory gem is a comprehensive look at the various kinds of zombies and their respective conservation statuses, etcetera.
For instance, the Aztec Mummy, or Mortifera Mumia Mictlantecuhtli, is listed as extinct while the Draugr, or Mortifera Immortalis Norse, is listed as critically endangered. Just the idea of wanting to “save” zombies from extinction is a novel one. Plus, certain questions regarding zombies are answered such as what qualifies as a zombie. They must have GHUL genetic markers for one. Also, the concept of Omega Anima is brought up to explain why zombies like the Common Gray Shambler, or Mortifera Immortalis Romeroi, can actually live for close to three hundred years in one case without digesting food for energy.
With each distinct type of zombie, their habits, habitat, reproduction and range are discussed. For instance, Common Gray Shamblers are “instinctive herd animals, commonly gathering in large groups. The proper name for such a group is a horde” (p. 26). Dovetailing with many characteristics of the Common Gray Shamblers are the Western Mall Zombies, or Mortifera Immortalis Consumpti, who “spontaneously mutate out of existing Gray Shamblers” (p. 56).
The humorous zombie revelations continue with the Dancing Zombie, or Mortifera Immortalis Choreographicus, whose conservation status is unfortunately vulnerable even though they pose no real threat to humans. “Instead, troupes of Dancing Zombies will swarm around isolated individuals and subject them to intricate dance numbers” (p. 54). Even so, some humans have been frightened “or even thrilled” after coming across the Dancing Zombies (p. 54). However, just because the book promotes a tongue-in-cheek perspective, doesn’t mean that some pretty nasty pieces of work aren’t touched upon as well like the Talking Zombie, or Mortifera Immortalis Trioxin, who “is considered the most dangerous species of undead in the world” (p. 52). This may be because they “are highly aggressive predators who actively seek to eat the brains of humans, claiming that it eases the pain of being undead” (p. 52).
Fortunately for those of us who are human, there is a section near the back of the book on “Surviving Zombie Encounters.” For instance, it may surprise some to learn in Lesson 1 of this section that “Humans are the greatest danger!” As it’s revealed, a “Religious Fanatic” can be extremely dangerous as “they all tend to act violently and erratically in a zombie attack” (p. 69). To say that I love this book is really an understatement; it’s one that is already a welcome addition to my bookshelf of permanent keeps!
For more info or to purchase the book please visit: http://www.zombiesoftheworld.com/
