Summary
Survival becomes more difficult for the Whisperers as the upcoming spinoff series, The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, brings forth a fresh threat in the form of acid zombies, posing new challenges for the survivors.
The corrosive touch of the acid zombies inflicts severe burns, rendering it impractical for the Whisperers to utilize zombie skin as camouflage. The inclusion of this new peril injects both thrill and jeopardy into the franchise.
The presence of acid zombies within the spinoff series can be rationalized through the unique surroundings they inhabit and the origins of the outbreak and experimental procedures, indicating that they might not be featured in other iterations of The Walking Dead.
The Walking Dead spinoff show, The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, introduces a fresh zombie variant that poses a challenge for the Whisperers. As the show nears its 11th season, it teases the existence of these variant zombies, setting the stage for more unique encounters in the Daryl Dixon series. In the first 10 minutes revealed exclusively on AMC+, acid zombies are showcased, confirming the presence of new obstacles for the survivors to overcome. The Walking Dead is exploring different types of zombies, with the Dead City's mutant sewer zombie being a mutation rather than a variant.
Understanding the origins and reasons behind these variants remains unclear based on the available information within the show's universe. However, it is evident that the presence of variant zombies poses a significant challenge for the Whisperers. The Whisperers were a group of survivors who camouflaged themselves using zombie skin to navigate among herds of walkers. They served as the primary adversaries during the latter part of season 9 and most of season 10, utilizing their survival tactic to manipulate hordes and launch surprise attacks. The introduction of acid zombies presents a major obstacle that renders the Whisperers' strategies impossible.
The Whisperers Couldn't Work With Daryl Dixon's Acid Zombie Variants
The Whisperers' main gimmick of wearing zombie skin is rendered impossible by these acid zombies. Their touch alone can cause severe burns, as shown in a snippet from the Daryl Dixon spinoff. Any attempt to wear this skin would result in the Whisperers' own skin burning, although the extent of the burns is still unknown. In a clip from the upcoming spinoff, a walker briefly grabs Daryl, leaving a nasty wound on his arm. It seems impossible to wear this acid-infected skin against human flesh without suffering severe burns or even death.
Furthermore, the Whisperers face another challenge as much of the acid zombies' skin is already dissolved due to these burns, making it unsuitable for use. Using their faces as masks would prove problematic since cleanly removing the acid zombies' skin is not likely to be successful, hindering the Whisperers' ability to blend in with the survivors in The Walking Dead. If the existence of acid-infected variants is confirmed throughout the country, it would weaken the Whisperers as a group. However, given the abundance of zombies, their core survival method is likely still effective. Acid zombies, on the other hand, present a different challenge altogether.
Walking Dead's Acid Zombies Make The Franchise Way More Exciting
The Walking Dead franchise has been ongoing for quite some time, but the introduction of acid zombies adds a new level of excitement to the series. Not only does the inclusion of acid zombies impact the spinoff featuring Daryl Dixon, but it also alters the entire franchise. This could be just the beginning of various zombie variations in future projects, resulting in even more drama for the show. By this point in The Walking Dead timeline, most survivors are well-prepared to handle a single zombie, and many are capable of taking on entire hordes on their own. Consequently, much of the show's suspense relies on other characters to create a sense of danger.
The introduction of new zombie variations restores the feeling of peril that seemed absent when survivors fought against typical zombies. While Daryl has successfully dealt with the acid zombies he's encountered, their numbers have been relatively small. The prospect of facing hordes of this particular type of walker poses an extreme danger. At times, the characters must forcefully and inexorably navigate their way through groups of zombies, a task that would be impossible against the acid variants. Furthermore, the potential for other variations only intensifies the danger, as survivors grapple with something entirely new in The Walking Dead universe.
Why Aren't There Acid Zombies In Other Walking Dead Shows?
The existence of acid zombie variants in the show could result in inconsistencies with the plot, given that there is little mention of them in other Walking Dead series. However, there may be a possible explanation for their absence. One theory is that the environment in which these acid zombies are found plays a role. It is unlikely that after 11 seasons without any sightings of acid zombies, there isn't some scientific explanation for their existence. It is possible that the factory or the surrounding environment where these walkers are discovered could have caused them to develop an acidic exterior. This could be the result of an accident involving acid that potentially killed those who transformed into these acid variants.
Another factor to consider is the presence of Daryl Dixon in France, which could be connected to the existence of these zombies in the spinoff series. In the post-credit scene of The Walking Dead: World Beyond finale, it is implied that variant cohorts have been reported in France. Additionally, there is speculation that the outbreak originated in France, which adds further weight to the argument as to why acid zombies have not been seen in America. It is also suggested that The Walking Dead's zombie variants were created by scientists who were attempting to find a cure. If the outbreak and experiments took place in France, it would provide an explanation as to why this particular zombie variant has not appeared in other The Walking Dead shows.