Unleashing the Undead: A Resurrected Zombie Apocalypse in Dead City

The Walking Dead: Dead City breathes new life into a previously forgotten zombie, a name that the franchise has only utilized on one occasion. This fresh series reunites Maggie and Negan as they embark on a captivating expedition that delves into uncharted territory within The Walking Dead universe. By transporting the two central characters to New York, the show opens up a remarkable opportunity to extensively explore the mythology and history of its world plagued by zombies.

Over the years, The Walking Dead has provided a wealth of insight into the post-apocalyptic world shaped by the zombie outbreak. By introducing new series and occasionally relocating its central characters, the franchise has surpassed the boundaries of Atlanta, Georgia. Through multiple seasons of The Walking Dead and FTWD, as well as the exploration in The World Beyond and Tales of the Walking Dead, the franchise has skillfully constructed a vast and immersive world. Despite the extensive showcase thus far, there are still countless unexplored territories that hold the potential for captivating revelations in the future of The Walking Dead.

The Walking Dead: Dead City Brings Back Groaners

Apparently, individuals in the New York region have coined the term "groaners" to refer to zombies. During her time at the New Babylon community, Maggie discreetly visited a local bar to inquire about the whereabouts of Negan. In her conversation, she mentioned the need for someone skilled in "groaner work," indicating her requirement for a person capable of eliminating zombies. This marks the first instance where Maggie has used this phrase, as she typically refers to zombies as "walkers," the commonly used term in The Walking Dead. It is evident that Maggie adopted this new terminology to convincingly play her role and deceive the bartender, suggesting that "groaner" is a widely recognized term in the area.

The phrase may be well-known among the people of New Babylon, but it is likely unfamiliar to most characters in The Walking Dead universe, including those from the main show and its spinoffs like FTWD. This particular phrase has never been uttered in The Walking Dead or any of its spinoffs. In fact, its only usage can be traced back to Fear the Walking Dead: Radio Waves. Radio Waves was a companion podcast series where survivors would broadcast messages, sharing their stories and experiences during the apocalypse. In one episode, a character from Radio Waves referred to zombies as "groaners." However, it was only in Dead City that the term was used to describe a zombie in a live-action setting.

Do Different Zombie Nicknames Refer To Different Zombie Types?

While it may seem like the various names given to zombies are intended to distinguish different types of undead creatures, this is only partially accurate. The term "lurker," for example, specifically refers to zombies that remain stationary instead of wandering around. These lurkers often lie or sit on the ground for extended periods, allowing them to surprise unsuspecting survivors. This is why they have earned the name "lurkers." In the comic version of The Walking Dead, there is a greater emphasis on differentiating between lurkers and the roaming zombies, known as "roamers."

Similarly, the term "Groaner" may potentially refer to a specific trait exhibited by a zombie. However, it is more likely that this term simply represents the idea that there is no collective word for "zombie." Since the real-life pop culture definition of "zombie" does not apply in The Walking Dead's world, the shows have devised their own terminology for their characters. The main show's core group settled on "walkers," but it would break immersion for characters in the other shows to inexplicably use the same term. Therefore, the franchise has had to employ alternative words such as "carrion," "growler," and "the infected."

Zombie Nicknames No Longer Make Sense In The Walking Dead

In the early stages of the zombie apocalypse, this approach to naming zombies was understandable and even necessary. However, at this point, The Walking Dead should be able to evolve beyond it entirely. The show now features a much more interconnected world, with characters like Morgan, Dwight, Negan, and Maggie expanding their stories onto other shows.

Given the current state of civilization, The Walking Dead: Dead City serves as a striking example of the noticeable transformations that have taken place. In earlier seasons of The Walking Dead, the idea of a location equipped with bars, vehicles, and law enforcement would have seemed out of place. However, in the spinoff featuring Maggie and Negan, set in a significantly later timeline, it fits seamlessly. As survivor communities no longer seem as isolated as before, it would be logical for the franchise to finally adopt a unified term for the undead.