Brian Keene is an American author, primarily of horror, crime fiction, and comic books. He has won two Bram Stoker Awards. His 2003 novel The Rising is often credited (along with Robert Kirkman's The Walking Dead comic and Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later film) with inspiring pop culture's current interest in zombies. In addition to his own original work, Keene has written for media properties such as Doctor Who, Hellboy, Masters of the Universe, and Superman.