Symbolism, Imagery, Allegory
In Shambles
Zombies put the "gory" in allegory, whether it's George Romero's commentary on brainless capitalism or an extreme vision of pandemic disease (like bird flu, Ebola, or rabies) or something similar, zombies usually serve as a stand in (or shuffle in) for something else. (See our brilliant "Why Should I Care?" section for more deep thoughts about this issue.)
We're not sure yet what the zombies represent in this early chapter of The Walking Dead. In chapter one, they exist to terrify. They're a constant danger. Even when they're not on the page, it's impossible to escape them. The survivors always know they're there. While in their idyllic camp setting, the threat of zombies always looms in the woods that surround them, and they'll eventually have to confront them. In this chapter, zombies represent the ultimate existential threat that constantly lurks in the back of all our minds.