Zombie Book Club

Death is broken—and in Path of the Pale Rider’s horrifying new issue #7, Laurie Calcaterra pushes the apocalypse boundary even further. From prophetic themes to theatrical horror, this is storytelling at its most disturbing and relevant. Join us for an immersive chat with Laurie—creator, visionary, and hot sauce witch—as she breaks down the creative grind behind Issue 7 and teases collectible surp...

Brave the wasteland pantry with us as twelve zombie‑fiction creatives—competing under our B.I.T.E. rubric—turn shelf‑stable staples like peanut butter pretzels, Belgian beer, macaroni, donuts, and yes, human flesh into horrifyingly inventive three‑course feasts. From “cheese‑dusted long pork with peach hummus” to “scrotum balls in blood sauce,” this tongue‑in‑cheek culinary horror explores how des...

Courtney Konstantin, author of the Sundown series and Babysitter of the Apocalypse , joins Dan and Leah to unpack the human drama behind her zombie narratives. From flawed heroes and makeshift families to cult leaders exploiting the end of the world, Courtney shares how she builds rich characters and real-world villains that outshine the undead. Expect candid chatter about taking care of toddlers...

In 2025, The Fourth of July hits different. In this episode, we host a funeral for America—mourning the death of democratic norms, health care access, and legal protections, while challenging the myths we’ve been fed about exceptionalism. With recent Supreme Court rulings dismantling nationwide injunctions, millions losing healthcare, and fundamental freedoms under attack, we confront the uncomfor...

In this spoiler‑free showdown, we pit the animals‑gone‑zombie campiness of Zoombies 2 against the thought‑provoking, visually audacious 28 Years Later . We break down ten key categories—cinematography, effects, innovation, cultural impact—and ask the really tough questions...  From heartfelt shout‑outs to our ZomBesties, Ollie and Megan, to surprising production notes—like “big swinging dicks”—we...

Join us for an unforgettable celebration of George A. Romero’s zombie legacy. In this episode, we take you behind the scenes of Living Dead Weekend—from Leah's gruesome “Dr. Logan” crown to organizing a packed Zombie Book Club author crawl with 263 entries. We talk survival strategies, meet filmmakers, FX masters, and authors, and uncover the urgent community fight against Walmart’s takeover...

A hundred episodes in, and the zombie apocalypse still hasn't happened—though sometimes it feels like we're getting close. What began as two people talking about zombies in a basement has evolved into something much more meaningful: a community of creators, readers, and enthusiasts who've found their people through a shared love of the undead. For our centennial celebration, we turn...

In this episode of Zombie Book Club , Dan and Leah delve into George A. Romero's 1985 masterpiece, Day of the Dead . Set in an underground bunker, the film explores the psychological unraveling of a group of scientists and soldiers amidst a zombie apocalypse. Central to the narrative is Dr. Sarah Bowman, who navigates a world rife with misogyny and military aggression, and Bub, a zombie exhib...

In this delightfully unhinged episode, Dan and Leah dive into the 2016 cult classic Zoombies , where a wildlife sanctuary becomes ground zero for a zombie animal outbreak. From roaring giraffes (which, fun fact, don't have vocal cords) to a suspiciously taxidermied koala, the film's laughable CGI and plot holes provide endless entertainment. The hosts also share highlights from their com...

In Episode 97 of Zombie Book Club, Dan and Leah dissect George A. Romero’s seminal 1978 film Dawn of the Dead , exploring its enduring relevance as both a zombie classic and a sharp critique of consumer culture. From the chaotic newsroom to the corridors of the Monroeville Mall, they examine how Romero's undead reflect societal anxieties about capitalism, race, and gender. The discussion delv...

In this episode of Zombie Book Club , we sit down with Darren Smith, host of The Undead Symphony podcast and author of the novel by the same name. Darren shares how his journey from reviewing over 300 zombie films to writing a novel was inspired by listener misconceptions and a desire to explore deeper themes within the genre. We delve into the unique aspects of his novel, including its symphonic...

In this episode of Zombie Book Club , hosts Dan and Leah delve into the resistance against Negan's authoritarian rule in The Walking Dead . Analyzing the responses of Alexandria, Hilltop, the Kingdom, and Oceanside, they explore how each community transitions from trauma-induced reactions to organized rebellion. The discussion highlights the evolution from submission to strategic coalition-bu...

In this episode of Zombie Book Club , we welcome Catherine Larkin—also known as Author X Zombie—author and illustrator of the Wizards of the Apocalypse series. Catherine shares her journey from crafting stories in high school to building the richly imagined world of Skeletonia, where intelligent zombies don armor, cast spells, and follow the commands of the formidable demon Malice. We delve into C...

In this episode of Zombie Book Club , hosts Dan and Leah sit down with comic creators Rowen H. and Erica B. to discuss their indie series Days Worth Living . Set in 2005 Illinois, this emotionally charged zombie apocalypse narrative follows elementary school teacher Joshua Martins and bus driver Phil as they strive to protect six children during a field trip gone awry.​ Rowen and Erica delve into...

In this episode of Zombie Book Club , we dive deep into the chilling parallels between Negan from The Walking Dead and real-world authoritarian regimes. By breaking down Negan’s methods into four distinct phases—consolidating power, eroding democratic institutions, establishing totalitarian control, and sustaining the regime—we expose the disturbing strategies dictators employ to seize and maintai...

In this episode of Zombie Book Club , we welcome Canadian comic creator Ray Jamison to discuss his fantasy-horror comic series, The Madcaps . Born from a decade-long Dungeons & Dragons campaign, The Madcaps follows four unconventional heroes—Sarlac, Drak, Chasgo, and Dunnan—as they reunite in their hometown of Ivywood to confront a zombie outbreak linked to a mysterious drug known as "Wea...

In this episode, we discuss the warning signs (hyperinflation, climate disasters, failing infrastructure) and debunk the myth of the lone survivalist. From Rome’s collapse to today’s crises, the real key to resilience? Community. We’ll explore mutual aid networks, food sovereignty, and decentralized solutions that actually work—because when systems crumble, cooperation outlasts competition. Featur...

What happens when a disastrous blind date collides with a zombie apocalypse—and the zombies themselves are looking for love? Steve Urena, creator of the indie comic Zombie Date Night , joins us to discuss his hilariously twisted take on romance and horror. We dive into his unique zombie mythology (where undead couples hunt in pairs), the mall-set chaos of Jack and Ginger’s doomed date, and unforge...

 In this episode of Zombie Book Club , we sit down with author Jenna Chrisphonte to discuss her groundbreaking novel Talc: A Haitian Zombie Story . Jenna reimagines zombie mythology through an authentic Haitian lens, tracing its origins to colonial exploitation and pharmaceutical manipulation. We explore how Vodou, Haitian history, and modern systems of control intersect in her work, and how her s...

The flu has knocked us down this week, but it's given us a perfect lens to examine what feels like America's own viral infection – fascism. With voices raspy from illness and minds sharpened by urgency, we dive into what's happening across our country right now, and why veterans like Dan are standing up against it. This week's episode takes an unexpected turn from our usual zom...

Join us as we sit down with Gerard Clarke, author of the debut novel The End . This sweeping zombie apocalypse epic takes readers on a years-long journey through survival, moral dilemmas, and the resilience of humanity. From the fall of civilization to the rise of new communities, Clarke’s novel explores what it means to rebuild when everything familiar has crumbled. We dive into the creation of h...

In this episode of Zombie Book Club , we explore the eerie parallels between zombie fiction and the realities of navigating life under growing fascism. Join Dan and Leah as they discuss practical coping strategies, the power of storytelling, and the importance of community-building in turbulent times. From grassroots activism to creative resilience, this episode blends humor, heart, and actionable...

 In this episode, we delve into the world of "Zombie: Survival Infection" with its creator, James S. Cole. James shares insights into the game's unique mechanics, the upcoming expansion "Mortal Reckoning," and his creative journey from childhood inspiration to game designer. We discuss the balance of strategy and morality in the game, the challenges of game development, an...

Join the Zombie Book Club as we dive into the haunting and thought-provoking world of Nailah King, author and founder of The Content Witches. In this episode, Nailah shares her journey of writing stories centered on haunted women pushed to the brink, blending supernatural elements with powerful narratives about identity, survival, and societal challenges. From her self-publishing adventures to her...

The socio-political landscape today is a turbulent sea, and we're navigating through it with a critical lens, dissecting the power wielded by influential figures like Elon Musk and Donald Trump. What parallels can we draw between our dystopian fears and the historical realities of Western imperialism? This episode challenges listeners to reflect on their privilege as we spotlight the enduring...