The Walking Dead: Sharing our TWD Family stories
By Renee Hansen
Being part of The Walking Dead family is so much more than just watching a television series, reading comics and attending some cons. Many have made life long friendships because of a common interest in this universe.
The Walking Dead fans have dubbed themselves a part of #TWDFamily. Sharing a common love for everything TWD, strong bonds of friendship have been made and not likely to end if, God forbid, our favorite franchise comes to an end.
People in the TWDFamily reunite at cons and other events centered around TWD and even refer to the events as “family reunions”. Groups have chat threads on social media and often talk to these friends more often than they do friends they have locally.
Podcasts have brought together groups of people from across the globe to discuss TWD but end up bring a group of people together that would probably never meet otherwise. Cosplay groups have formed and travel together representing their favorite characters from TWD. Some of these groups or individuals have become quite famous for their cosplays. Artists center their art around TWD and have created such an amazing following because of a series & comic book story.
Not only does this family join together with the above mentioned common bonds but have also reached out to one another in times of need. Campaigns raising money to help out TWDFamily members through all sorts of life events such as cancer treatments, helping with sick children and pets, single mothers needing a hand, and so much more. Artists have donated TWD art sales money to help another family member out. Actors in the series even help by sharing information and donating time and/or money to help those in need.
Many have used TWD to cope with life. Lots of people have garnered strength from watching the series. They get immersed in the world of TWD and find a refuge for whatever they are dealing with in their lives. It has helped them meet life head-on and not give up.
Our panel is going to share their stores as part of The Walking Dead family in the next slides.