The Walking Dead as a transmedia phenomenon

Abstract

The attempt to continue a zombie story beyond the known limits in its genre is unique. The outcome has been successfuly exploring themes that anyone can identify with: failure, loss and then overcoming while we try to contribute to create a better future. These factors have always pushed humanity to discover a larger world than the one previously known, usually marking the end of an era, followed by a new beginning. These principles are suitable for both individuals and societies as a whole. The existence of the undead serves the purpose of increasing the idea that everything that is born must die, thus accelerating the cycles of destruction and recreation that have existed since the beginning of the world and of humankind. All these ideas are the engine of this story and most of them can be put in relation with our “networked culture”. My purpose on this essay is creating a road map for this transmedial world that spans a variety of formats