Warning: Spoilers for Fear the Walking Dead season 8, episode 4

Fear the Walking Dead just confirmed that at least one zombie variant appeared in The Walking Dead season 1. Officially introduced in The Walking Dead: World Beyond, the concept of zombie variants refers to the idea that some walkers possess capabilities not shared by the typical zombie. Variants have been known to run, use weapons, climb walls, and more.

Since the running zombie scene in The World Beyond’s ending, variants have become increasingly relevant to the franchise. They had a presence in The Walking Dead season 11, shocking characters who weren’t accustomed to zombies displaying any degree of intelligence. Their arrival in the series created the expectation that variants would continue to pop up, presumably in its upcoming spinoffs. And though one hasn’t appeared in Fear the Walking Dead season 8 yet, the series has revealed that one did indeed emerge...