Few comic book series are riper for Easter eggs thanRobert Kirkman’sThe Walking Dead. Indeed, the fact that it is based on one of the oldest and most storied genres in horror gives it decades of zombie conflict to tap into. For one of the series’ quirkier hat tips, however, the creators went outside the culture of the undead for an interesting reference of a more personal nature.
In Kirkman and Tony Moore’sThe Walking Dead#3, as Rick, Lori, Carl, andother zombie apocalypse survivorsadjust to their new life, they attempt to restore some semblance of normality with a little get-together. However, the peaceful vibe is upended when the group runs across a few stray zombies.
There’s nothing especially noteworthy about the zombies they encounter, except for one zombie whose name – Front – is visible on his pocket protector that, in humanity’s worst calamity, has inexplicably remained perfectly clipped to his shirt pocket.This zombie is the ultimate nerd culture Easter egg.
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The zombie most likely refers to the musician MC Frontalot, the self-proclaimed master of “Nerdcore Hip Hop,” a subgenre of underground hip hop where artists rap about topics that interest nerds and geeks. MC Frontalot often goes by the nickname “Front,” and the zombie with the “Front” pocket protector bears a striking resemblance to him. From the glasses to the short-sleeved Oxford shirt and tie, the zombie is the spitting image of how Front might appear in undead form.
What sets this Easter egg apart from others is that fans would be hard-pressed to find its connection to the story. Readers who recognize that the zombie has a name badge might dismiss its inclusion as simply artistic license by Moore. Conversely, other fans who appreciate thoughtful Easter eggs might interpret the name as a nod to a character from the survivors' past. Moreover, Moore has yet to acknowledge the zombie is any different from the other zombies he drew in the issue.
Delving Into The History Of Moore’s Easter Egg Delivers A Surprise
However, the abundance of coincidences leaves little doubt that the zombie is a deliberate reference to MC Frontalot. Outside the name and resemblance, there’s Moore’s intimate involvement in the whole Nerdcore Hip Hop scene.Not only is he a well-known fan of the music but he also has a personal relationship with MC Frontalot himself. Indeed, Moore inked some of Front’s media, including the covert art of hisNerdcore Risingalbum. Perhaps most tellingly isFront’s own post to his Facebook pagesaying that he thinks the Front zombie in the comic is him. Accordingly, even without his acknowledgment, it’s more likely than not that the zombie named Front is Moore’s cheeky tribute to an artist he respects.
The best Easter eggs lie in plain sight. They are neither so obvious that fans will easily recognize them, nor so obscure that only the super expert will be able to spot them in the wild. When seamlessly integrated into the plot, they enhance the narrative without disrupting it. Crafting successful Easter eggs is a challenging task, one easily botched if not done thoughtfully. Tony Moore’s zombieEaster egg inThe Walking Deadexemplifies his skill by demonstrating creative freedom and nuanced layering that fans find particularly rewarding. When executed well, Easter eggs like this one elevate the fan experience, showcasing the brilliance ofThe Walking Deadin its masterful use of subtle details.
Source:MC Frontalot’s Faceebook Page
The Walking Dead
The Walking Deadis a massive multimedia franchise that began with a comic book series created by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard. The franchise gained widespread popularity with the launch of the television seriesThe Walking Deadin 2010 on AMC, which chronicles the lives of survivors in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies, referred to as “walkers.” The success of the original show has led to numerous spin-offs, web series, video games, novels, and other media. The franchise explores themes of survival, human nature, and the breakdown of society in the face of an existential threat, making it one of the most successful and influential horror series of the 21st century.
