Warning: SPOILERS for Titans season 4.DC zombies made their live-action debut in DCeased series of comics, but bringing them into live-action is an enjoyable addition to the Titans universe. Referencing Dawn of the Dead specifically also allows for a fun comparison between the different approaches to a group of heroes fighting off a hoard of zombies.
Titans season 4, episode 4 sees the characters return to Agnews Asylum, which burned down in season 1, only to find that it has been rebuilt into a Super Super Mart. While investigating the lower levels, Mother Mayhem summons an army of zombies from inside the mall, which includes a reanimated zombie Deathstroke after his death in season 2. The Titans are forced to fight their way out as they protect Sebastian, and there are plenty of Dawn of the Dead easter eggs thrown in for good measure. This scene opens up many possibilities for other DC characters to appear in zombie form, and it also allows Titans to distinguish itself from the movie it's referencing.
How The Church Of Blood Zombies Compare To DOTD
The zombies featured in Titans season 4, episode 4 share several similarities to those seen in Dawn of the Dead. Both are centered around a shopping mall where the characters have to fight for their lives, and the only way to take them down permanently is to target the head. This leads to one of the biggest Dawn of the Dead references, where Raven uses a chainsaw to decapitate one of the attacking zombies.
However, there are a few differences between Titans' zombies compared to Dawn of the Dead. The zombies shown in Titans are the result of dark magic, but in Dawn of the Dead, the outbreak is caused by a mysterious plague of unknown origin. Mother Mayhem also summons the zombies from inside the mall, whereas the zombies in Dawn of the Dead are trying to get to the people from the outside. The zombies in Titans are also the ones who gear up and grab weapons, which is the opposite of most zombie films. Finally, while the head is still the weak spot, Titans' zombies can put their heads back on, which Deathstroke does while fighting Superboy.
DC Zombies Make Titans Season 4 Even Wilder
Titans has had explored some pretty wild concepts in previous seasons, but introducing DC zombies takes the show to the next level. Mother Mayhem and the Church of Blood can now summon an army of the dead, even bringing back the Titans' deceased enemies. It now remains to be seen which villains will make their return, or if the Titans will be forced to fight their dead friends as reanimated zombies. This could bring more references to Dawn of the Dead, or other popular zombie franchises.
All of this also raises the question of what other supernatural elements will appear in Titans season 4. There's already been a plethora of dark magic, possession, and even death by blood snakes. With all this at their disposal, there's no telling what horror Mother Mayhem and the Church of Blood will unleash next. Now that the red moon has appeared, and Mother Mayhem's plan is in place, it looks like the Titans will find out soon enough.
New episodes of Titans premiere Thursdays on HBO Max.
