How SYFY’s Revival Is Kinda Like Fargo, Just with the Undead (EXCLUSIVE)

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Mention that the television show you’re referring to revolves around people returning from the dead and it bears a striking resemblance to “The Walking Dead.” For instance, SYFY’s latest original series is called “Revival.

As a passionate gamer, I can’t help but draw parallels between my favorite games and the gripping narrative of the Image Comic horror sensation that made waves in 2012. This haunting tale, nominated for Harvey Awards, was penned by writer Tim Seeley and brought to life by artist Mike Norton. The chilling story unfolds in the tranquil, seemingly ordinary rural town of Wausau, Wisconsin. However, an extraordinary “event” rocks this peaceful community when residents who tragically lost their lives on January 1 miraculously return from the dead on January 2. It’s a spine-tingling journey that I can’t wait to dive into!

In a different phrasing, these individuals aren’t your typical zombies or creatures we see in horror movies, craving brains. Instead, they are the very same people who seem to have come back to life as if nothing tragic ever occurred. This resurrection has a profound impact on how the townsfolk perceive death, religion, and the afterlife, potentially altering Wausau’s fundamental beliefs and even affecting families like the Cypress family, which includes local police officer Dana Cypress (portrayed by Melanie Scrofano from ‘Wynona Earp’), her father Wayne (David James Elliott), and her younger sister Em (Romy Weltman).

For More on Revival

An Insight into the Actors and Roles in SYFY’s Remake, Simplified
Melanie Scrofano Offers an Inside Look at Family Relationships in Undead Series on SYFY
Why SYFY’s Revival Transformed from a Movie into a TV Show: A Rational Explanation

In a recent conversation, SYFY WIRE chatted with the co-creators of the “Revival” series, Luke Boyce and Aaron B. Koontz, about their process for adapting the distinctive concept and mood from the comics to the new SYFY television show.

Why SYFY’s Revival is more Fargo than The Walking Dead

Since its days as an Image Comic, comparisons to “The Walking Dead” have lingered over “Revival”. This is because, when Boyce and Koontz examined the dark humor, peculiarities, and philosophical undertones present in the book’s storyline and artwork, they mentioned that they used their preferred contemporary series adaptation as a guide for adapting it.

Noah Hawley’s version of ‘Fargo’ was a significant influence on us,” Boyce stated. “It provided us with the chance to experiment with the mood and different genres.

Koontz pointed out, “To be honest, this series is more akin to a murder mystery than a typical zombie show. In essence, it shares very little in common with other zombie productions beyond the basic plot summary.

The story primarily revolves around an extraordinary incident referred to as “Revival Day” in Wausau, yet it also encompasses a developing murder mystery introduced in the initial episode, along with the profound emotional consequences stemming from such a perplexing event.

Boyce noted that many aspects of the stories they present in Season 1 are unique compared to other shows or places. He expressed pride about this, acknowledging that he and Aaron often discussed how the series stands on its own, which is refreshing. While elements of the show are clearly inspired by the comics, Boyce also believes that their distinct canvas contributes significantly to these differences.

The personal connection that drew creator Luke Boyce to Revival

A longtime enthusiast of the “Revival” comic since its initial publication, Boyce revealed that it wasn’t until 2020 that he began in earnest to talk with Seeley about adapting the book. Besides being an intriguing plotline, Boyce shared that it also stirred up personal anxieties about mortality that resurfaced following his own father’s passing.

He often found himself drawn to this project due to the fact that his father passed away long ago, and he still experiences dreams – some of which involve him as well as others. He admitted that it has always seemed strange to him because in these dreams, he’s not joyful, despite knowing they shouldn’t be there. There’s a void within him, a sense of attachment he can’t seem to bridge effectively.

He explained that the concept of revival enabled him to consider his troubling dreams in a tangible, real-life manner.

Boyce commented on the revived dead, “What’s fascinating about this concept is understanding why it happens, what are the implications, and how would one address such a situation?” He further added, “If morality became more tangible and not just an abstract notion, as humans, how would we perceive others who might be infinite rather than finite? How do we interact with people in this hypothetical scenario? This question delves deep, and there’s ample room for exploration. The comic was intriguing in that aspect, but we aimed to delve a bit deeper into it.

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2025-06-16 22:16