Zombies. They’re everywhere. From the silver screen to the printed page, the undead have become a cultural staple. But what does their enduring popularity say about us?

On this episode of Horror Joy, Brian and Jeff are joined by the brilliant Kelly J. Baker, author of The Zombies are Coming! The Realities of the Zombie Apocalypse in American Culture. Together, we'll delve into the heart of the zombie phenomenon.

We'll be chewing on these topics:

*How does horror offer a cathartic release for our anxieties?

*Do zombies provide a moral justification to shoot things we don’t like?

*Why can't we seem to shake this insatiable craving for zombie stories?

*How has the zombie apocalypse become a catalyst for the preparedness movement?

So, grab your favorite zombie flick and join us for a thought-provoking discussion. Let's hope our brains stay intact!

The Zombies are Coming! The Realities of the Zombie Apocalypse in American Culture by Kelly J. Baker

Avery Gordon – Sociologist

Wasteland: The Great War and the Origins of Modern Horror by W. Scott Poole

28 days later

Warm Bodies

The Reapers are the Angels by Alden Bell

J’Accuse

Disney Zombies

Cinderwitch by Cherie Priest