We Destroyed The World

"Prepare for the future"
-Fallout 3

"Fear the future"
-Metro 2033

"Man made hell"
-S.T.A.L.K.E.R.

been on a big post-apocalyptic binge lately, after playing long stretches of Fallout 3 (and modding it every step of the way), i finally picked up a copy of Metro 2033 off of a Steam sale.

now after playing the two games in quick succession i really do now feel the almost polar opposite differences between the two portrayals of post-apocalypse i've always thought of.

so on the left we have a Stalker, a Russian post-apocalypse/sci-fi archetype first appearing in the 1972 novel Roadside Picnic, and in 1979 film adaptation of the novel titled Stalker. since then the term "Stalker" has basically become the Russian equivalent in meaning to the America term "Wastelander/Wasteland Scavenger" being used in many other post-apocalypse/sci-fi titles, such as in Metro 2033, the surface scavengers are called Stalkers, and of course the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. video game series where they made it into an acronym meaning, "Scavengers, Trespassers, Adventurers, Loners, Killers, Explorers, Robbers".

and on the right, we have a Road Warrior, the term has a very wide coverage, ranging from electronics, business, and driving, but in the context of post-apocalyptia it basically refers to a person who looks badass. besides that, it is the post-apocalyptic derivative to the old term "Junkpunk", referring to the fashion and road-tripping culture portrayed in the Mad Max film series especially so in Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior.

+UPDATE+
tweaked the drawing a bit.