Rise of the Undead:
Zombies Invade Pop Culture
Zombies, fictional creatures that rise from the dead then feed off the flesh of living humans, have become popular culture icons. The idea of a zombie apocalypse plays into fears felt by most Americans. Fear of death, fear of an unknown enemy, and fear of disaster have contributed to the rise of the undead. American culture changed when television, film, and media embraced the zombie phenomenon.