Summary
The new trailer forDaryl Dixon: The Book Of Carolreleased atSan Diego Comic-Conjustintroduced another zombie variant to the franchise.It’s an easy moment to miss, given the influx of fresh content that always coincides with SDCC weekend. Towards the end of the video, there is a brief shot of a zombie illuminated by a bio-luminescent glow. This follows producer Greg Nicotero’s reveal thatnew zombie variants will be introduced inDaryl Dixon season 2.
Variants are part of aWalking Deadtrend that has seen new evolutions of the classic walkers. So far, we have already seen smarter zombies introduced in season 11 ofThe Walking Dead.The first season ofDaryl Dixonexplains theorigin of the super-strong zombie variantsfirst revealed inThe Walking Dead: World Beyond.Glow-in-the-dark zombies are something new, butthese variants are actually a subcategory of a type that the franchise has shown before.
Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Season 1 Ending Explained - Does Daryl Get Back Home?
After spending his Walking Dead spinoff attempting to get home, Daryl Dixon season 1’s ending is an ambiguous closing chapter in Daryl’s journey.
Why The Zombies Are Glowing In Daryl Dixon Season 2
In this two-second shot from theBook of Caroltrailer, a silhouetted figure (presumably Daryl) explores a darkened environment illuminated by glowing material. He comes across a walker whose skin is covered in patches of this strange substance. Blink and you’ll miss it.It’s not clear exactly what this glowing substance is– it might be a chemical off-spill, resulting in a toxic variant like theacid zombies fromDaryl Dixonseason 1, or the methane-mutant monstrosity inThe Walking Dead: Dead City.
What’s clear is thatthese new glowing zombies have evolved as a product of their environment.They have likely ingested some of this toxic material and incorporated it into their physiology. This glow is probably more than a cool visual effect – every timeThe Walking Deadintroduces a new variant it presents an added danger for the protagonists to overcome. Variants provide a way of renewing the original threat that the walkers pose after prior installments of the franchise made them secondary to human antagonists.
Each New Variant Has To Be Explained As The Universe Continues To Expand
This isn’t the first timeThe Walking Deadhas shown zombies altered by their surroundings.In episode 5The Ones Who Live,Rick and Michonne encounter astone zombie variant, significantly more difficult to take down due to their hardened exterior. The show also introduced flaming zombies, though whether thesefire zombies are true variantsis debatable.The Walking Deadmay get more outlandish as the franchise churns on, but randomly introducing elemental zombies would be a step too far.
Variants provide a way of renewing the original threat that the walkers pose after prior installments of the franchise made them secondary to human antagonists.
Even the stone zombie wasn’t literally made of rock – no matter how wacky the walker evolutions it introduces,The Walking Deadat least makes an effort to providea rational explanation for their appearance.The stone zombies’ hardened exterior is a by-product of the steam vents in the national park, which had“calcified”their skin. The science behind that may be a bit shaky, but then again, so is the entire premise of the show. It’s impossible to enjoyThe Walking Deadwithout the suspension of disbelief, and it can be counted on thatDaryl Dixonis going to supply an explanation for these new glowing zombies that tracks with the in-world canon.
Daryl Dixon’s Glowing Zombies Are Not True Variants
But True Variants May Also Appear In The Book Of Carol
Admittedly,these glowing zombies can’t actually be classed as true variants.Rather likeThe One’s Who Live’srocky zombies, they are environmental accidents. Though they may offer a unique twist on the classic walker,there is nothing inherently different or unique about them.Their glowing appearance probably altered over time, but originally, these would have been human victims of the same contagion that made all zombies – theorigin of the outbreak virus was explained inThe Walking Dead:World Beyond.
True variants have been a part ofThe Walking Deadsince it began.
To be a true variant,a zombie has to exhibit a difference in behavior.It could be intelligent enough to throw rocks, or open doors; it could be stronger and faster than your average, shuffling walker. Interestingly, true variants have been a part ofThe Walking Deadsince it began. The very first zombie that Rick put down was a little girl who recalled enough about her past life to pick up her old stuffed toy. Whether these mutations evolve naturally over time or are the result of a separate strain altogether is yet to be properly explained.
The mystery behindThe Walking Dead’svariants is something thatDaryl Dixonseason 2 could solve.Setting the series in France, where the laboratory that started the outbreak is located, is obviously more than mere coincidence. Now that the precedent is set,The Walking Deadis likely to continue the trend of introducing new variants, and we already know thatFrance happens to be a hot spot for these strange new zombies.We can already assume that glowing zombies won’t be the only bizarre evolution thatDaryl Dixon: The Book of Carolwill introduce to the franchise.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon
Cast
In a post-apocalyptic France, the series follows Daryl Dixon as he navigates the complexities of a new landscape. Separated from his familiar world, Daryl faces unexpected challenges and forges new alliances while confronting the lingering threats of a walker-infested reality.
