Zombies, The New Vampires?

I found an interesting article about the rise of zombies in pop culture and the contrast between the walking dead of Hollywood and the practice of Haitian voodoo in the real world.

The article mentions a poison used in Haiti that is derived from the puffer fish, called tetrodotoxin. The drug apparently puts people into a state where their vitals are so low, they can be pronounced dead. Usually when the person comes out of the state, they find themselves working as a slave. Such was the case of Clairvius Narcisse whose story was the inspiration for The Serpent and the Rainbow.

Brad Steiger, one of the most well-known writers dealing with paranormal phenomena, recently wrote a book called Real Zombies, the Living Dead and Creatures of the Apocalypse. In it, he writes about the history and reported cases of zombies in the real world.

Steiger recently told AOL News: "I have an account of a man from Miami who went to Haiti and was dancing with a very lovely Haitian lady, and he felt a little prick on his arm and didn't think anything of it. Next thing he knew, he woke up, was still in his suit and tie, but he was soiled and dirty and was holding a hoe in somebody's field."

Also on the zombie horizon? AMC's upcoming series called The Walking Dead, which will premier on Halloween night.