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In the world of survival horror, few franchises are as iconic as Resident Evil. Part 6 of the Resident Evil Retrospective delves into the deep, twisted lore of the series, tracing its roots and examining how it evolved into the phenomenon it is today. This journey starts with the original inspirations behind the franchise and moves into a detailed timeline of Umbrella Corporation’s descent into evil.
Origins of a Horror Legacy
The zombies of Resident Evil were inspired by the classic works of horror, beginning with George Romero’s Dead series. Romero, who revolutionized zombie cinema in 1968, was himself influenced by Richard Matheson’s novel I Am Legend (1958). Matheson, in turn, drew from even older sources like Edgar Allan Poe and Mary Shelley, creators of some of the most enduring gothic horror. However, Resident Evil separated itself from these predecessors by focusing not only on the undead, but also on the scientific and corporate machinations that led to their creation. The series was one of the first to pinpoint the exact cause of its apocalypse—a deadly virus created by the nefarious Umbrella Corporation.
Umbrella Corporation and the Progenitor Virus
The story of Resident Evil truly begins in 1962, when billionaire Oswell E. Spencer commissioned architect George Trevor to design a sprawling mansion in the Arklay Mountains. But Spencer had darker ambitions beyond mere real estate. In 1966, Spencer, alongside scientists Dr. James Marcus and Sir Edward Ashford, discovered a mysterious virus in Africa. Dubbed the Progenitor Virus, this organism had the ability to mutate cells, and the trio saw in it the potential for genetic enhancement and bio-organic weapons.
Tragedy of the Trevor Family
Spencer's obsession with the Progenitor Virus quickly led to horrifying human experimentation. Trevor and his family fell victim to Spencer’s schemes when they were invited to stay at the mansion Trevor had designed. While Trevor was away, his wife, Jessica, and daughter, Lisa, were captured and subjected to experiments. Jessica succumbed to the virus, but Lisa, to Spencer’s astonishment, began mutating in unpredictable ways. Lisa’s resilience to the virus fascinated Spencer, and she was kept alive for further study, becoming one of the earliest tragic victims of Umbrella’s cruel research.
Meanwhile, Trevor himself became lost within the labyrinthine mansion. Betrayed and abandoned by the corporation he had unwittingly helped, he died alone, the ultimate victim of his own creation.
Umbrella’s Rise to Power
With the Progenitor Virus in hand, Spencer moved to establish Umbrella Chemical Inc. in the 1970s, along with James Marcus and Edward Ashford. Under the guise of pharmaceutical development, Umbrella’s true goal was the creation of bio-organic weapons. However, internal strife quickly arose. Ashford became the first victim of the Progenitor Virus, and his son, Alexander Ashford, took over the family’s role in Umbrella. Desperate to preserve his lineage, Alexander turned to radical scientific methods, creating two genetically engineered children, Alexia and Alfred. Alexia, a prodigy, developed her own version of the Progenitor Virus, called the T-Veronica Virus, which she tested on her father with disastrous results.
The Rise of Wesker and Birkin
While Alexia was experimenting with T-Veronica, two young scientists were making their mark on Umbrella—William Birkin and Albert Wesker. Both joined Umbrella’s training facility in 1977 under the guidance of James Marcus. Marcus became fixated on a new strain of the Progenitor Virus, which he named the T-Virus. Unlike its predecessor, the T-Virus didn’t immediately kill its hosts but instead turned them into ravenous, zombie-like creatures.
Marcus’ research led to a breakthrough, but his success made him a target. In a brutal act of betrayal, Spencer ordered his assassination, leaving Birkin and Wesker to take over his work.
While Wesker rose through Umbrella’s ranks and masterminded the creation of the Special Tactics and Rescue Service (STARS), Birkin discovered the G-Virus, a new, more advanced strain hidden within the body of the mutated Lisa Trevor. This discovery would prove pivotal to the downfall of Raccoon City.
The Outbreak and Raccoon City’s Fall
In the late 1990s, the horrors created by Umbrella began to spread beyond the confines of their secret labs. An outbreak of the T-Virus within the Arklay Mountains and Spencer Mansion led to the STARS unit being dispatched to investigate. The events that unfolded during the Resident Evil games saw key figures like Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine, and Rebecca Chambers uncovering the full extent of Umbrella’s evil. They battled against zombies, mutated creatures, and even Wesker himself, who was revealed as an Umbrella double agent.
But the worst was yet to come. In 1998, William Birkin, now transformed into a monstrous form by the G-Virus, triggered a massive outbreak in Raccoon City. His mutation, combined with a horde of T-Virus infected creatures, overwhelmed the city’s population. Amidst the chaos, Leon S. Kennedy, a rookie police officer, and Claire Redfield, Chris’ sister, fought to survive while confronting the twisted experiments left behind by Umbrella. They encountered Sherry Birkin, William’s daughter, and battled against the relentless Nemesis, a bio-organic weapon sent by Umbrella to eliminate any survivors.
The Beginning of the End for Umbrella
With the fall of Raccoon City, Umbrella’s atrocities were exposed to the world, and the company faced collapse. Yet, even as their empire crumbled, remnants of Umbrella’s research continued to plague the world. Alexia Ashford, having placed herself in cryogenic suspension after infecting herself with the T-Veronica Virus, waited for her time to return, believing she would emerge with the ultimate power.
Meanwhile, Wesker, always the puppet master, continued to manipulate events from behind the scenes, still intent on using Umbrella’s research for his own ends.
Conclusion
The Resident Evil saga is a sprawling, interconnected narrative that spans decades. What started as a tale of survival horror has evolved into a complex story of corporate greed, scientific curiosity gone wrong, and the horrific consequences of unchecked power. As this part of the retrospective illustrates, the series' rich lore has been shaped by a multitude of influences, all while creating its own unique mark on the world of horror.
From the origins of the Progenitor Virus to the fall of Raccoon City, Resident Evil has crafted a legacy that continues to terrify and captivate audiences.
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