By Joan Seth
Part 2 - Intelligent Zombies
Normally we would not associate zombies with intelligence, but recent portrayals of zombies in media have gone towards this aspect. Traditionally, we see zombies as undead objects, without any mental abilities.
However, they were once human after all. There are reports of people who have been in a coma for a very long time and recover fully, retaining the full spectrum of their vocal and motor abilities.
Picture is (C) copyright to United Film Distribution Company
In the 1985 film, The Day of the Dead, scientists in an underground bunker conduct experiments on a particular zombie - nicknamed Bub. They try to stimulate Bub's past memories of being human, by subjecting him to various everyday objects such as a toothbrush, a book and a telephone. It is hoped that through use of these objects they hope that Bub can remember his human past and revert to being human.
And revert he did. In the end Bub recognizes the killer of the scientist who conducted the experiments on him, seemingly as though the scientist had given him "life". Bub turned on the killer and shot him, then leaving him to be devoured by zombies.
Picture is (C) copyright to Lions Gate Entertainment
The 2006 film, Fido showcases a world where zombies are kept in check with remote control collars. They are then used as manual labour, as housekeepers or even as pets. The central zombie character, Fido, thus shows his humanity in the film, as he helps his human family to fend off an evil corporation.
Picture is (C) copyright to Universal Pictures
Shaun of the Dead, a British zombie comedy film depicts zombies as being returned to everyday life, retaining their instincts, are used as cheap labour and entertainment after the apocalypse has passed.
Picture is (C) copyright to Orion Pictures Corporation
The 'Tarman' zombie as shown in Return of the Living Dead (1985) is portrayed as a comedic character, with him able to chase after the protagonists and exclaiming his need to eat their "Brainssss!"
Picture is (C) copyright to Marvel Comics
Finally, in a alternate Marvel Universe, the infected Sentry had mysteriously appeared and began infecting various superheroes, causing the plague to spread like wildfire across Earth, decimating the human population.
The remaining superheroes try to fight off the zombie invasion, but slowly they fall prey to the infection.
Can you imagine? Zombies who are superpowered? It would be near impossible to fight them off.
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