The Walking Dead's Neglected Variation Catastrophe: AMC's Spinoffs Miss Out on the Most Thrilling Twist in Years

AMC's The Walking Dead spinoffs have been successful, but they are not fully capitalizing on the franchise's most intriguing concept: variants. The latest spinoff, The Walking Dead: Dead City, is particularly guilty of this oversight. Set years after the introduction of variants in The Walking Dead season 11, it is currently in its first season. However, it is important to note that The Walking Dead is primarily a comic book and television franchise that explores the terrifying and hopeful aftermath of a zombie apocalypse.

The concept of zombie variants in The Walking Dead was first hinted at in the post-credits scene of The Walking Dead: World Beyond. However, it was fully developed and explained in The Walking Dead season 11, when characters Aaron, Jerry, Lydia, and Elijah made their way back to Alexandria from the Commonwealth. They discovered that these variant zombies possess greater speed, strength, and intelligence compared to the typical undead seen in The Walking Dead. These zombies have heightened senses, improved mobility, and increased intellect, making them significantly more dangerous.

Zombie Variants Have Been Missing Since The Walking Dead Ended

The absence of zombie variants in The Walking Dead franchise since the original show ended in 2022 has been disappointing. They have not made an appearance in the final season of Fear the Walking Dead or the new show, Dead City. This is a missed opportunity to explore the intriguing potential of the variants in various spinoffs. Instead, both shows have focused on different storylines, leaving no room for this concept to develop as it should. It would be a significant mistake by the franchise if the variants never reappear.

Why The Walking Dead's Spinoffs Should Have Variants

The inclusion of variants in The Walking Dead spinoffs is essential, considering the game-changing concept they introduce. It would be a missed opportunity to not explore their presence beyond The Walking Dead season 11. If the variants have already been acknowledged during that time, it is inevitable that they would continue to be present in Fear the Walking Dead and Dead City.

Moreover, The Walking Dead spinoffs provide the perfect setting to incorporate the variants due to the abundance of zombies featured in both series. With a large number of zombies appearing in every episode, it would be illogical for the cast of Fear the Walking Dead or Dead City to consistently avoid encountering any variants. Now that the existence of variants is confirmed, it only makes sense for them to reappear in future installments of The Walking Dead.

When Will The Walking Dead's Variants Return

There are high hopes for the return of The Walking Dead's variants, especially in the upcoming spinoffs. Dead City presents a potential opportunity for them to emerge, with the introduction of the Croat and zombie drugs. Additionally, the variants could make Maggie and Negan's lives more challenging in Manhattan. If not, they could potentially take center stage in Daryl Dixon's or Rick and Michonne's spinoffs. As of now, there is ample opportunity for the variants to appear, fueling anticipation among fans.

Season 11 of The Walking Dead introduced one of its best concepts yet, raising expectations for its full return. This could potentially make the variants a significant plot point that spans across The Walking Dead: Dead City, The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, and more. It may usher in a new era for The Walking Dead, injecting freshness and excitement into the show. Until then, audiences can only hope for the variants' prompt reappearance.