Triumph of The Walking Dead: Robert Kirkman's Zombie Epic on Page and Screen [Paperback]

James Lowder (Editor), Joe R. Lansdale (Foreword), Jay Bonansinga (Contributor), Jonathan Maberry (Contributor), Kim Paffenroth (Contributor), Lisa Morton (Contributor), Kyle William Bishop (Contributor), Craig Fischer (Contributor), Kenneth Hite (Contributor), Kay Steiger (Contributor), Ned Vizzini (Contributor), Scott Kenemore (Contributor), Brendan Riley (Contributor), Arnold T. Blumberg (Contributor), Vince Liaguno (Contributor), David Hopkins (Contributor), Steven Schlozman (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2011

All zombies are created equal. All zombie stories are not.

From its humble beginnings as an indie comic book, The Walking Dead has become a pop culture juggernaut boasting New York Times–bestselling trade paperbacks, a hit television series, and enough fans to successfully take on any zombie uprising.

Triumph of The Walking Dead explores the intriguing characters, stunning plot twists, and spectacular violence that make Robert Kirkman’s epic the most famous work of the Zombie Renaissance. The Walking Dead novels’ co-author Jay Bonansinga provides the inside story on translating the comics into prose; New York Times bestseller Jonathan Maberry takes on the notion of leadership (especially Rick Grimes’) during the zombie apocalypse; Harvard professor Steven Schlozman dissects the disturbing role of science in the television series; and more.

Triumph of The Walking Dead features a foreword by horror legend Joe R. Lansdale.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Fun and informative . . . Triumph of The Walking Dead successfully manages to do what any collection of its sort intends: Help us understand why the series is so good (and successful), while enhancing our enjoyment at the same time."
—Bookgasm

About the Author

James Lowder has worked extensively on both sides of the editorial blotter. His credits include the bestselling, widely translated novels Prince of Lies and Knight of the Black Rose, short fiction for such anthologies as Shadows Over Baker Street and The Repentant, and comic book scripts, role-playing game material, and hundreds of reviews and articles, including essays for the BenBella titles The Unauthorized X-Men and King Kong is Back! As an editor, he's directed book lines or series for a variety of publishers and has helmed more than a dozen critically acclaimed anthologies, including Curse of the Full Moon, Hobby Games: The 100 Best, and the Books of Flesh zombie anthology series. He's been a finalist for the International Horror Guild Award and the Stoker Award, and has won five Origins Awards and a silver ENnie Award.

The New York Times Book Review describes Joe R. Lansdale as a writer with “a folklorist’s eye for telling detail and a front-porch raconteur’s sense of pace.” Lansdale is the author of thirty novels and over two hundred short stories, articles, and essays. His work has received an Edgar, two New York Times notable books, seven Bram Stoker Awards, the British Fantasy Award, the Inkpot Award, the Herodotus Award for historical fiction, and many others. His novella “Bubba Ho-Tep” was made into a cult movie of the same name. His work has also been filmed for Showtime. His latest novel is Devil Red, published by Knopf. Online at joerlansdale.com.

Jay Bonansinga (author; The Black Mariah, co-author with Robert Kirkman of upcoming Walking Dead novels)

Jonathan Maberry (New York Times bestselling author; Patient Zero, Zombie CSU, Marvel Zombies Return)

Kim Paffenroth (professor of Religious Studies and zombie scholar; Gospel of the Living Dead: George Romero’s Visions of Hell on Earth)

Lisa Morton (author and screenwriter; The Lucid Dreaming, A Hallowe'en Anthology: Literary and Historical Writings Over the Centuries)

Kyle William Bishop (English professor at Southern Utah University; American Zombie Gothic: The Rise and Fall (and Rise) of the Walking Dead)

Craig Fischer (professor at Appalachian State, comic scholar; The Comics Journal, The International Journal of Comic Art)

Kenneth Hite (game designer and writer; Zombies 101, Trail of Cthulhu)

Kay Steiger (editor of Campus Progress and author; The Atlantic, Bitch Magazine, In These Times)

Ned Vizzini (young adult author; It's Kind of a Funny Story, Be More Chill)

Scott Kenemore (author; The Zen of Zombie: Better Living Through the Undead, Z.E.O., The Art of Zombie Warfare)

Brendan Riley (professor at Columbia College Chicago, author; Journal of Popular Culture, The Amazing Transforming Superhero)

Arnold T. Blumberg (instructor at University of Baltimore, author; Zombiemania, The Big BIG LITTLE BOOK Book)

Vince Liaguno (author, anthologist, and editor; Unspeakable Horror: From the Shadows of the Closet, The Literary Six, Butcher Knives & Body Counts)

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Smart Pop; 1 edition (November 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1936661136
• ISBN-13: 978-1936661138
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 0.8 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #884,337 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Reading with Tequila January 17, 2012

By Jennifer Sicurella VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Why read: Received for review

What impressed me: Many aspects of the comic books and TV show were discussed, both in relation to one another and as separate entities. I loved that there was a large focus on the comic storylines as they greatly differ from the show and have been around for much longer. I was afraid this book would just be a complete lovefest for the show because of its current popularity. It was a lovefest, but it really did only slightly touch on the show (as it should being there had only been one season at the time of writing) and embraced Robert Kirkman's initial vision.

What disappointed me: Everyone sort of agreed. Most of the Smart Pop books include essays with opinions and theories that are completely at odds with others. They usually contain ideas that will completely rile up hardcore fans, while at least making you think about things in a whole other light. In Triumph of the Walking Dead, beloved characters remain loved and praised, evil characters are pure evil without questioning their potential for good, and all in all, nothing came across as a potentially unpopular opinion.

Recommended: Definitely, as long as you've read the comic books and watched the show already. Those who haven't read the comic books will discover many spoilers, some of which will most definitely become part of the TV show.

5.0 out of 5 stars ! May 14, 2013

By Rachel Stulberger

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Walking dead, there is nothing that can go wrong. Robert Kirkman is a genius and his work is amazing. All of the walking dead is the greatest read yet!

5.0 out of 5 stars Love it~ December 12, 2012

By Amiee J. Young

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This was perfect just like the photo. I am very happy with this product! Please keep up the good work! Very satisfied! Thank you!

4.0 out of 5 stars TRIUMPH OF THE WALKING DEAD as edited by JAMES LOWDER April 25, 2012

By Clayton Bye

Format:Paperback

A collection of essays discussing the many factors and facets that have made such a success of The Walking Dead. These essays are written by some of top horror writers of today. See my review for that full list at: [...]

Summary...

There are many more conversations in this wonderful collection, and if they did one thing these essays opened my eyes to the fact that the incredible richness of the stories we read and see throughout The Walking Dead do not happen by lucky accident. There are some very smart and talented people who really think hard, on an ongoing basis, about apocalyptic life and all it brings. They then pick up the rich fodder at their feet and discuss it and turn it into stories that move us and touch us deeply. How lucky we are to have them.

Triumph of The Walking Dead: Robert Kirkman's Zombie Epic on Page and Screen

5.0 out of 5 stars Triumph of the walking dead April 23, 2012

By Hanneke

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Great book, can't wait for the next episode. I dearly hope there will be a new book soon, love these carachter
its exciting and sad at the same time.

4.0 out of 5 stars good book April 1, 2012

By tajeco

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I recommend NOT reading this book until reading issues #1-84 of the comic book, and watching sseason 1 of the show because of spoilers. I gave it a 9.2/10. I would have rated it higher, but the writer of essay #9, Ned Vizzini, had a huge mistake on pages 137-141 involving Rick and Thomas, I don't know how he or editor James Lowder could've missed it. It does however get resolved on page 205 in the 14th essay by David Hopkins. The book is unauthorized by The Walking Dead group, but is still good for fans of the comic book and show. Essay #4 is written by Jay Bonansinga, who co-wrote 'TWD: Rise of the Governor' with Robert Kirkman, so there is some connection to the official franchise.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars TWD is 5 stars! January 8, 2012

By K. Lacerda

Format:Paperback

You're addicted? This is a must have! The Walking dead is a 5 stars show and this tell us WHY is it so different and addictive than the old zombies movies, books, comics!