Zombie Cliche Lookout: Cha-Cha-Cha-Changes
In fiction, there are two types of characters: flat and dynamic. Flat characters stay about the same throughout a story; they end the story the same way they started it. Dynamic characters, on the other hand, go through changes as a direct result of what happens in the story. Generally speaking, minor characters are flat and major characters are dynamic, although there are certainly exceptions to this rule.
So what makes those characters change? A lot of different things. The classic example, and one of which I’m not a huge fan, is that they find out that they’re destined for something, but only after a traumatic event pushes them in that direction. Think Luke Skywalker here; he wasn’t too big on following ‘Ol Ben Kenobi on his space adventure before the bad guys slaughtered his aunt and uncle. Another approach to this, and one I think works much, much better, is to have the character have to make a difficult choice that will follow them long after they make the decision. My example here? Derek from American History X. In one brutal moment his decision ends the lives of two people directly, and affects dozens of others throughout the course of his life.
About this Episode:
There’s a lot of dialog in Bricks of the Dead, and that’s because I think that the living characters are the most important part of any zombie story. The problem is that dialog can get a little boring after a while in a comic, unless you do things to keep it visually interesting. This time, I’m playing around with selective focus where I’m shifting back and forth between whichever character is speaking.
Discussion Question: Characters with Destiny
I mention above that I’m not a big fan of the trope of main characters with a destiny as their primary motivation. Of course, just because I don’t like it doesn’t mean it doesn’t work, and it certainly doesn’t mean that it isn’t used frequently. In fact, it seems like this trope is being used more and more these days. So what do you guys think of it? And, for those of you who are cool with it, do you believe in fate or destiny in real life?
I don’t get why Cheryl thinks she can’t kick a member of the group out because they’re being a troublemaker. This is the zombie apocalypse, but even in far less severe group situations, people are still expected to get along, or leave, or at least exercise restraint when expressing opinions, especially if the subject is sensitive.
I think her issue is that she doesn’t want to be the dictator of the group, so to speak. Things like this should be group decisions in her mind.