MCM Expo - 22/05/2015 - Zombie Buys

This year I went to MCM on the Friday as they now do it as a whole day, it was really fun and very enjoyable. There were quite a few people, but it was not ridiculously packed like it is in the weekend, so if you can go on the Friday I highly recommend it.

The first zombie buy I found was a beautiful hand made charm bracelet by BunnyBeadsUK (she's on Etsy by that name). The charm bracelet is Walking Dead themed. I love the shovel charm, I think this is what sold me as I think the blood on it is a great touch.

This amazing Walking Dead bag!

Then, I went over to Comic Village and got talking to an independent writer. He had a range of books and comics but he told me about his zombie one called Teal and for £3 I couldn't say no. The lovely man even gave me a free zombie book mark of a character in his comic. You can find this comic and others at www.geekycomics.com 

Finally, also in Comic Village I found two guys who had compiled a load of zombie stories in one Anthology called Dead Roots, written and drawn by them. They also signed it for me, too. 

[Graphic Novel] Empire Of The Dead - Act One

Zombies vs. Humans vs. Vampires.

This graphic novel has Romero written all over it. It has his signature marks that can be seen within his films, for instance, zombies that have remembered behaviour - such as Bub in 'Day of the Dead'. 

I'm not a huge vampire fan but this has a different meaning to me than just vampires. Romero gets very political with his vampires, which shows his interest in social themes and political issues. Something that I agree with profoundly - oppression by the higher social classes upon the lower classes, just because they have the wealth and basically, because they can. This issue is huge throughout the world. 

There is also reference to Barbara from 'Night of the Living Dead' which I was not expecting and I did appreciate this little tie in. 

Overall, a good read and I'm looking forward to Act Two.

The Walking Dead Graphic Novel Volume #23, Whispers Into Screams

I must admit, with the past couple of volumes I've felt a bit lost and felt like things were a bit 'same-y' but, with Volume 23 I feel like things are coming together a bit more now and I understand a lot more of what is going on.

Focus is drifting away from Rick, some favourites are not to be seen, and some nuisances are always there. If you don't think about some of the originals the storyline is getting really good, but, I can't help cling on to the past and wonder what on Earth are they doing?

I do think though, another Survivors' Guide is due.

[Graphic Novel] Recorded Attacks by Max Brooks

Recorded Attacks by Max Brooks (author of World War Z) is a brilliant book/graphic novel and I am so glad that I picked it up. It was a random find in Waterstones and on a whim I thought 'why not?' and bought it.

This book takes real life historical events and makes zombies the reason and purpose for their happening. For instance, Brooks claims that the Egyptians removed the brain from the deceased in order to prevent re-animation. There are also examples including the Romans, who, as Brooks suggests, built Hadrian's wall (cutting off England and Scotland) in order to stop zombies coming onto their land.

Considering I study History at Univeristy, I think this is a brilliant idea for a graphic novel. History and zombies? What a book for me! I really enjoyed reading it. This is one of my favourite zombie graphic novels and I would very much so recommend it to any zombie fan.

Zombie Virus Plush

I first saw this plush a few months ago online but I was gutted as the only ones I could find were from America. Then, low and behold, as a gift from my other half for finishing another year of univeristy - he bought me this!!

It's from the GIANTmicrobes range who do loads of viruses, bacterium etc etc as plush toys 1,000,000x their actual size. It gives a cool history about the virus and I'll post a picture of it below.

They are so cool! I love this Zombie Virus plush, it's a favourite of mine and made me so happy because I didn't think I'd get one! The quality is amazing and the idea is very original.

The Walking Dead - Zombie Money Box

I got this zombie money box as a gift and it's great! I don't use it as a money box, I iust use it as figure on my shelf and it looks proper cool as just that. They also do Michonne and Rick designs. The detail is amazing and I love having it on my shelf as it really does stand out and define the shelf. Or should I say, zombie corner...

Walking Dead Light

As previously stated before I've been in love with Etsy for a while now and I'm finding some great things on there lately, well, just check out this beauty!!

It's a handmade light that says 'The Walking Dead' 'Fight The Dead Fear The Living' with zombies underneath. Because it's made of glass it looks brilliant on its own as a glass ornament, but with the light turned on it looks absolutely phenomenal! You have the option to pick a range of colours for your light - I opted for green because I thought it suited the situation better.

This is one of my staple pieces to my zombie collection and definitely one of my favourites. I am in love with it and I adore it.

If you'd like to get one (they do more than just this, there are loads of other cool lights in stock), check out their Etsy page here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/IncredibleInnovation?ref=l2-shop-info-name

Delivery was super quick and they are very talented. I would highly recommend this seller.

[Book] Where's The Zombie? By Paul Moran

I got this book as a gift and it is quite a nifty idea. It's basically 'Where's Wally?' but with zombies. The reader has to find the zombie family in each page of of the apocalypse. It's random and fun and great gift for any zombie enthusiast.

Jason Miller Art - Zombie Originals

Lately I've been browsing the website Etsy and it is such an amazing website. There are loads of handmade items, original art (and prints) and just general, original items that you can't help but fall in love with. Whilst I was browsing through the zombie section of this website I came across an amazing artist called Jason Miller.

Jason Miller sells his ORIGINAL art on sketch cards and larger pieces. Not prints, but originals and I love them! He has loads of zombie drawings and a lot of horror themed/influenced drawings, from movies and television shows. The pictures are brilliantly detailed and worth much more than he asks, so I will definitely be buying more of these. I can tell that Jason Miller is going to be a constant throughout my zombie art collection and I look forward to seeing what he produces next.

Delivery was very quick too.

If you would like to check out his art this is his Etsy page: https://www.etsy.com/people/truetilldeath

Below are the originals I purchased from his store. My pictures of his drawings don't do them justice.

Iconic Zombie Girl from 'Night of the Living Dead'

RV Walker from 'The Walking Dead'

Bicycle Girl from 'The Walking Dead'

[Film] Resident Evil: Apocalypse (2004) Review

The second film in the 'Resident Evil' film franchise. I loved the 'Nemesis' character and who he was in the first film is a very good twist. 'Resident Evil' has an interesting, different take on the original zombie horror as it involves zombies, zombies who are genetically modified and mutated zombies and also the character Alice who is also genetically modified but takes the virus upon differently, making her a superhero type woman, not a zombie.

This film is a great sequel to its predecessor and definitely, so far, so good.

[Film] Resident Evil (2002) Review

Had a bit of a Resident Evil night and watched the first and second films. The first film I thought was really well done. I liked the idea of the 'T-Virus' and the 'T-Virus Anti-Virus', and the whole underground testing lab is exactly how I feel a zombie apocalypse would happen, with people testing and mutating viruses - basically stuff they shouldn't be messing with.

Many people disliked the film due to it not being like the games, but I have never played the games so I went in with a fresh mind and not hoping that the film was going to be like something else. So, with that fresh mind, I thought it was a great film.

Overall, an interesting film and I would watch it again, no hesitation.

Margaret Thatcher Zombie Print

One of my close friends bought me a cool gift the other day - a zombie print of Margaret Thatcher! Considering I despise the Tories and, of course, Thatcher, there is no other way in which I'd like to see her.. Controversial? Who cares. Her whole life was controversial.

I'm going to start an album with all the zombie art that I'm going to collect and buy at conventions, online etc. I already have piece by DEAD ALL OVER which is framed on my wall. Unfortunately I have no idea who drew this or where it came from!

Thank you, Kayleigh!

I shall post updates on the art album.