Truth behind the fiction: While fictional zombies became more popular than ever

The real thing: But according to tales coming out of Haiti, residents of a remote village saw proof of their ancient belief that the earth is stalked by what we know as zombies, when local woman Felicia Felix-Mentor (pictured, in her 'zombie' state) apparently rose from the dead






Under the thumb: The Tonton Macoute, the brutal secret police of Haitian President ‘Papa Doc’ Duvalier, were said to employ powerful sorcerers and threaten zombification to quell resistance among the superstitious populace. Pictured, a ritual ceremony in Haiti

Blood-smeared: U.S journalist William Seabrook recalled his travels in a book, which in 1932 inspired the first zombie film, White Zombie. It was thrown together in just 11 days using recycled sets from productions including Dracula, Frankenstein and The Hunchback Of Notre Dame. Pictured, cast from The Walking Dead

Powerful hold: That our fascination with zombies stretches back nearly a century owes much to a U.S. journalist who visited Haiti in the Twenties and decided to investigate voodoo beliefs imported to the Caribbean by African slaves. Pictured, zombies in TV series The Walking Dead

Truth behind the fiction: While fictional zombies became more popular than ever, the people of Haiti remained fearful of being zombified in real life, particularly during the oppressive rule of president ‘Papa Doc’ Duvalier between 1957 and 1971