A new brew to wake the dead ? I "kid" you not - read on !!

Matt Boiselle

    

        There is nothing like cracking open a cold one and relaxing after a long day, whether it be the stress of your job getting you down, or maybe you just happen to be one of those "suds connoisseurs" that needs to search high & low for that ultimate blend of barley & hops that sets your taste buds ablaze, and gives you that eased-back feeling.....or do you need to quaff down a pint or two after slaying some decayed dead-risers ?

   Look no further lager-lovers, because if it's a different brew that your hunting for, then feast your beer-goggles on Philadelphia's Dock Street Brewing Walker Beer - it's a delicious (I'm only saying that because I haven't tried it yet) mix of malted wheat, barley & flaked oats infused with a refreshing hint of cranberries and smoked goat brains.......I DID NOT MISS TYPE.....SMOKED GOAT BRAINS round out the collection of ingredients that will surely provide one of the most unique tastes of chill that you've ever pitched down your gullet. "Dock Street Walker" comes packing a 7.2% ABV that after a few, will have you shuffling and shambling along like one of the undead.

   The beer itself will debut on March 30th, just in time for the season 4 finale of The Walking Dead - and who knows, maybe the happy-go-lucky, all-too-hospitable heads of "Terminus" will serve this grog at their first official group meal. In closing, we all love the beers that after a few chugs, make you say "aaaaaahhh", but could you potentially down a bottle of the pale ale that will make you go "BAAAAAHHHH" ? 

                  

      

Mythbusters to tackle the zombie apocalypse on October 17th....with a little help from.....

Matt Boiselle

   The Discovery Channel appears to have the solution to the always-posed question "how can we survive the zombie apocalypse ?"...at least the crack team of the hit show Mythbusters will attempt to !

  On October 17th @ 10p.m., those 2 mad scientists, Jamie & Adam will tackle a myriad of questions & myths pertaining to the outbreak of the undead, and our need for survival during it...but they won't be able to handle it alone.....so they called in help. The Walking Dead Executive Producer Greg Nicotero & dearly-departed Dixon (the Merle half), Michael Rooker will be on hand to assist with aiding the 2 analysts with their first-hand "zombie knowledge". Make sure you tune in and take notes....for there just may be some information that could potentially save your life.

The Walking Dead invades Halloween Horror Nights...AGAIN !!

Matt Boiselle

    It's a safe assumption that you can file this next tidbit of gory news into the "HOLY CRAP" files !!
Universal Studios and their uber-creative think tank have yet again stacked their yearly Halloween event at both theme parks (Orlando & Hollywood) with one of the most innovative and frightening additions designed to make you run for your lives.

    Already boasting attractions themed towards hit movies The Cabin in the Woods and the Evil Dead remake, Universal's top-brass weren't satisfied, they wanted more....and did they bring it. Fans of The Walking Dead will now have the opportunity to traverse the zombie-infested insides of the West Georgia Correctional Facility, and the surrounding town of Woodbury in an all new pairing of mazes that was just announced this morning. Universal Orlando is also taking it a step further, making their ENTIRE surrounding scare-zone themed around The Walking Dead series (in years past there were many different themes & acts for these zones) - but now it appears as there will truly be NO WHERE TO HIDE inside the entire theme park from the hungry dead......I sure hope the bathrooms will be off-limits ??

   To obtain all the pertinent info you need regarding both parks' attractions and activities for this event, head on over to Halloweenhorrornights.com and get your tickets now - these events fill up fast and promise to get you your money's worth.

The Dixon Brothers tee - only 10 bucks - ACT NOW !!

Matt Boiselle

    If you're looking for that must-have wearable to show your love for the Dixon Brothers, those bad-ass zombie stomping hillbillies from The Walking Dead, then get your undead bones on over to tshirtbordello.com and pick up this killer shirt, which is on sale for a measly $10 bucks, but ONLY for a limited time (the clock is ticking) - do it NOW !!

The Walking Dead - Zombiefied !!

Matt Boiselle

  

    
     Sure, you can go to ANY technical TV website and get little tidbit info about The Walking Dead, as it slowly beats your skull to sleep with data....(you're getting sleepy.....)....which is why it takes something new and different to WAKE YOU UP !!!!! Ever wanted to know just what a potential "walker" goes through in preparation for their stumble-on role for the show ?

    Head your rotten corpse on over to www.cabletv.com/the-walking-dead and check out what may be one of the coolest infographics anyone has put together EVER. The second you hit the site you get the slow, trodding image of a shambling zombie as your load screen, then get ready for some fun. You are placed on a page that looks as if you've just cracked open a fresh comic book page where as you scroll down, the walker begins his journey through zombie school....then makeup...wardrobe,
and final destination....the shooting set. All the while the page moves and graphics and sounds react (and there are designated play points where you can watch videos about each specific topic !) This has proven to be an exciting and innovative way to get your inside info about the creative production techniques the show employs in order to make each and every zombie top-notch in appearance.

   What in the name of Woodbury are you waiting for ?? Finish reading this article THEN head on over and check out the site - it's a MUST-SEE for any fan of the show, hats off to CableTV.com for their "Zombified" work - enjoy !!

 

Time to flash a little plastic: Walking Dead style !

Matt Boiselle

    Next time you're on that big date with either that girl you want to impress, or if you're footing the bill for one of those fat-cat executive luncheons, do you really wanna reach into your velcro-stripped wallet to pull out a few crumpled bills in order to foot the tab, or would you rather flash the plastic in style with one of the new Walking Dead debit cards ?

 

   Image Comics, the titleholder of the comics themselves, along with series artist Charlie Adlard, have released 7 differently themed designs for the bank-approved cards which are available by going to www.card.com/thewalkingdead. Just click on which card you want, fill out all applicable info & VOILA ! You are now a (debit) card carrying member of The Walking Dead plastic party, but don't go overboard with charging all kinds of stuff - it's one thing to deal with bankers chasing you down.....but an angry group of flesh-hungry zombies ?.....on second thought, I'd rather take my chances with the zombies.

  

The Walking Dead Teddy Bear girl: life-size statue available for pre-order

Matt Boiselle

 
   Are you a fan of The Walking Dead ? Are you looking for that unusual collectible from the show to add to your stash of goodies ? Or do you just want that one item to stick in your doorway that will inevitably result in extensive therapy sessions for your children or mailman ?

   Entertainment Earth is currently taking pre-orders for the anticipated September 2013 release of a life-sized statue depicting the teddy bear zombie girl that Sheriff Grimes dispatched so quickly in the first episode of the first season of The Walking Dead. Although such a quick demise suffered for this little cutie, she has been forever linked to the unparalleled success of the hit AMC show. This awesome reproduction stands 55 inches tall and comes equipped with sound and motion sensors which will trigger multi-directional movement and sound clips ! Price stands at 219.00 for this statue and will ship in September 2013 - so pony up the bucks and get ready to scare the CRAP out of your guests this Halloween ! www.entertainmentearth.com

The Walking Dead: Season 4 - time to go to zombie school !

Matt Boiselle

    Is it creeping in your veins yet ? Making you feel as if you are ready to start clawing at your skin until you get clumps of wet, bloody flesh under your fingernails ? Are you jonesing for that ever-elusive fix of anything pertaining to The Walking Dead: Season 4 ? Then settle in, fellow zombie minions, and behold at the great special FX creator, Greg Nicotero as he acts as Headmaster in a class that will hone the skills of any walker wannabe.

   Have you dreamed of becoming one of the shambling, stumbling, roaming undead that patrols the vast expanses of the insanely popular Walking Dead TV show ? Well you can't be just any common zombie with a limp and a shuffle, no no no !! You must participate and study the ways of the re animator Shaman himself in hopes of perfecting your ambulatory aptitude. The Zombie school is held each year before initial filming on that season's show begins, so that there are no "unschooled" undead to speak of, so click on the video link, and maybe you can learn a thing or two, and who knows, by the time next season rolls around, you could have the stuff to put on display for The Walking Dead: Season 5 !

The Walking Dead Series 4: New Figures Images

Matt Boiselle

      If you were one of the millions that are currently going through some kind of withdrawal after last Sunday's The Walking Dead Season 3 finale, and are wondering what can be done to pass the time until the new season cranks up in October, look no further than action figure creator Todd McFarlane's latest bunch of "plastic gold" hitting the shelves this September.

     Series 4 of the insanely popular Walking Dead figures are currently in pre-order, and this set looks to be a massive hit as the last groups were. We start off the collection with every one's favorite soccer-dad turned psycho, the main masochist of Woodbury, The Governor - he comes complete with his signature vest and khaki pants, hip holster w/ pistol & hunting knife, and will offer an alternate head without an eye patch.

  

  Next up is who I've preferred to call "The Zombie Apocalypse's Mattress Tester".....or public relations assistant Andrea - she comes complete with a pistol & leg holster, sniper rifle & a pitchfork that was pilfered from Herschel's farm. If you weren't a big fan of her in the show, you could always buy the figure and yell at her for making all of those bad choices.

  

   The next figure in the lineup is the "I'll shoot now, and DON'T ask me any questions later" new resident bad-ass killer, Carl Grimes - Sheriff Rick's little boy with a sniper's attitude will be sporting his Daddy's hat, and comes with a hunting knife, a prison medical bag, and cellblock keys.....just don't look for his Father's badge....he threw it down !!

   

 

   You didn't think this lineup would be without walkers, did you ? Not only do we have two shambling flesh-eaters, but these denizens of the dead are former prison guards at that, and are fitted in head to toe tactical gear (each sold separately) - the Riot-Gear Zombie has a flip-up plexi shield on his helmet and Maggie's knife to shove into his skull, and the Gas-Mask Zombie has a mask that can be pulled off to reveal a gnarly looking skull.

  

    Rounding out the Series 4 collection is a Dixon Brothers 2-pack featuring two of the entire series' most sought after figures, them good-old boys, Daryl & Merle - Daryl comes with signature crossbow, hunting knife, fire & pick axes, and prison keys. Merle is armed with an assault rifle, pistol, hunting knife, and his infamous prosthetic bayonet attachment.

    These figures are currently in pre-order status, with an expected street date of September 2013, and we here at Zombies & Toys have you covered - head on into our store and get your Walking Dead figure fix filled.....because Season 4 in October seems SO far away right now.

The Walking Dead Season 3 Blu-Ray case: get your wallets out !

Matt Boiselle

        Just when you thought AMC's The Walking Dead had topped out with last year's camper-zombie Blu-Ray display case, but wait a minute !!!! How about while watching Season 3 on Blu-Ray, you can have The Governor's fish tank with decapitated heads watching you ?? The best part is, you add the water !!!!

     Forgive the overwhelming enthusiasm for this news item, but this may be as cool as it gets for fans of the hit show. Thanks to MTV Geek, this news broke a few hours ago and early word is that Amazon has fielded NUMEROUS e-mail requests for more info. Unfortunately, not much more info has been made available other than the notion that you can fill each of the case's two tanks with water, and there will almost surely be electronics involved so that lights may shine from underneath the heads. No word on a release date or pricing, but don't fret- we here at Zombies & Toys will keep all of you updated on the latest info as it comes across the wire, but in the meantime, feel free to click on the pic for more images of this killer Blu-Ray packaging....THEN watch the mid-season premiere of The Walking Dead this Sunday...all the while squirreling your pennies away for this beauty...because something tells me it won't be cheap.

New Year = New Walking Dead Details

Dave Brown



It is a new year and with it with find ourselves inching ever closer to one of the big zombie games of this year, Activision's The Walking Dead video game.  Last time we talked about it, it was revealed that Darryl and Merle would be faithfully recreated in the game. Since this news, there has been little on the news front concerning the game as Activision has been deathly quiet.  That was the case until last week when a leaked video surfaced showing the gameplay.


The footage shows the player as Daryl Dixon taking out zombies in an undisclosed small town. According to sources at Activision, the game is supposed to take place before the TV series and before Daryl and Merle meet up with Rick and the rest of the survivors.
While this video doesn't show a lot, it does give us a lot of hope that this is going to be the next great zombie video game we are all looking for. Stay tuned to Zombies & Toys as we will be delivering the latest news on this game as it comes to us.

The Walking Dead "Survival Instinct" Update

David Brown

Many of you know about the game The Walking Dead by Telltale Games that has been releasing episodes for a few months now.  That game is a great game and is deserving of all of the praise that it has gotten thus far.  The biggest concern that a lot of people have had, including myself is that it included locations and characters from the show, but the protagonist was not one of those main few we were familiar with. 

Activision is looking to change that next year with their newest video game inspired by "The Walking Dead". Titled "The Walking Dead 'Survival Instinct'" this game allows players to assume the role of Daryl Dixon.  According to Activision when describing the game:

It is a first-person survival title takes place within the universe of “The Walking Dead” and before the events of the AMC show, following Daryl and his brother Merle on a gruesome journey to reach the supposed safety of Atlanta as the world around them ends. Reedus and Rooker will bring life to their characters' desperate, unforgiving struggle against limited resources, the nightmarish walkers and, perhaps, their fellow survivors...

The best news of all came today when it was announced that Norman Reedus and Michael Rooker would be reprising their roles as Daryl and Merle for the game. This is exciting news and if it is an indicator of what is to come there is much excitement in the future.  Stay tuned to Zombies & Toys for continued coverage of The Walking Dead "Survival Instinct" and watch for the game to drop next year on Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and Windows PC.

The Walking Dead: Series 3 figures - First Look !

Matt Boiselle

     As the popularity of AMC's the Walking Dead continues to soar to the stratosphere, the names on the waiting list continue to grow for the 2nd series of figures in McFarlane's toy line. Now, the 2nd series hasn't even been released yet, but that didn't stop these latest images from hitting the web, and creating a WHOLE NEW list of pre-orders to be filled.

    With the upcoming New York City Comic-Con (Oct 11-14th) looking to feed heavily into the premiere of Season 3, these figures will be on display for fans to drool at. There is a possibility that these designs may change before their official release date of March 2013, but that won't stop the hardcore fans from clamoring to get their mitts on them. The line follows as this : above - Merle Dixon - everyone's favorite one-handed psycho hillbilly, complete w/ assault rifle, pistol, knife and prosthetic arm w/ removable bayonet.

 The Walking Dead's newest heroine - Michonne - fitted w/ her signature katana and sheath & a removable poncho.

                                     
      Michonne's pet zombies #1 & #2 - these little beauties both come fitted with chain dog collars, backpacks (#1 has a shotgun in his bag), and their once-attached upper limbs & bottom jaws (sickening, but definitely cool !)

   Rounding out the 3rd series we have the zombie that had a very crude (and impromptu) autopsy performed on him by Daryl Dixon, in a fruitless search for long-lost barn stowaway Sophia. In one of the neatest features on any figure in a long time, this guy has a removable shirt with an open stomach cavity where you can see if he has either digested a woodchuck or a human hand !

    So hopefully the Series 2 figures will be unleashed very soon to tide the fans over, but all this will do will be the equivalent of dangling fresh flesh in the faces of a bunch of hungry walkers - pre-orders are available from different stores, so bust out those little plastic credit cards of yours, and prepare to wait......but I'm feeling that this wait will be well worth it !!

BloodyDisgusting.com Caption Contest

Dorothy Emry

BloodyDisgusting.com is running caption contest. They pick a still from a movie and you submit your best caption for it. Zombies and Toys fans will want to jump on this contest because the author of the First Prize caption will receive The Limited Edition Zombie Head Walking Dead Blu-ray.  The Runner-Up receives Jaws on Blu-ray. Nobody goes undead in that classic film, but the shark does keep coming back until it gets blown apart. (Hmm. Maybe the shark was a zombie?)

No formal deadlines are posted, so keep checking back to see whether or not the winner’s been picked. If not, keep sending in “your best one-line, zingers, pathos riddled couplets, etc.” Before submitting be sure to read the contest rules on acceptable content. You might also want to check out the first still and the winners for inspiration while you’re there.

Here’s the second still, waiting to be captioned:

Head on over to BloodyDisgusting.com to submit your caption and good luck!

The Walking Dead Episode 3 Out Now

David Brown


While we all await the third season of The Walking Dead, there is a new release that will tide our hunger..  Telltale Games has recently released the third episode of their game based on The Walking Dead. It is currently available on Xbox Live, PlayStation Network, and Steam. Stayed tuned this weekend for our review of episode three and a mostly spoiler free look back at the other two games.

Funko Makes The Walking Dead...........Adorable ?

Matt Boiselle

   
     Let it be known that at times AMC's The Walking Dead can portray images that can be viewed as violent, disturbing, and in some certain situations, even stomach-churning....but hey, we as zombie fans look forward to that kind of stuff ! Now FUNKO has decided that it's time to make our favorite apocalyptic survivors and their pursuers a little more.......how should I say it ?......cuddle-friendly ?

   
    Coming September 27th, prepare to crack open your wallets and snag all 4 of FUNKO's The Walking Dead Pop ! Television Series 1 vinyl figures. Adding to the merchandising assault which will coincide with the Season 3 premiere of the wildly popular cable TV series, each figure in this series stands 3.75" high with 1 point of articulation, and can either be displayed alone or in their own little window box.

   The series of four consists of Sheriff Rick Grimes, complete with his iconic hat and Colt Python,
the baddest hunter/trapper/ mad hillbilly on the planet - Daryl Dixon (rocking his killer crossbow),
The RV Zombie that met an untimely demise thanks to a well-placed screwdriver in the eye socket from Andrea, and rounding out the list is one of the MOST popular zombies to be seen in the show's short history, Bicycle Girl.

 
   The figures can either be ordered as a set of 4, or you can pick up each one separately for $9.99 apiece at numerous online retailers. Click on the pic of Sheriff Grimes to be taken to FUNKO's site where you can see more images of each figure, but if you order, order them all together.....come on...these little guys are too cute to be all by their lonesome !

Entertainment Weekly - The Walking Dead covers: which will you choose ?

Matt Boiselle

I guess being the highest rated cable series to grace the tube certainly has its privileges, and when it comes time to market (and reap the rewards of that marketing), AMC's The Walking Dead is most assuredly entitled to all benefits that may follow.

    The popular magazine Entertainment Weekly is the latest to honor the record-breaking phenomenon of a show by giving readers 4 killer covers to pick from this week. You can choose the obviously pained expression of the group's leader, Sheriff Rick Grimes, the latest heroine bad-ass Michonne (coming complete with her two chained "pets") - every one's favorite "politician", The Governor ( with a VERY hungry zombie in his knife's reflection), and the two brothers that will most likely not be exchanging Christmas cards with each other, Daryl & Merle Dixon.

   It's not known which cover subscribers will receive, but if you are a newsstand shopper, grab em all while you can, and read up for a preview of the upcoming Season 3, which premieres on the AMC channel on October 14th - HAPPY READING !!

Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights - The Dead Invades !!

Matt Boiselle

  Universal Studios has done it ONCE again - every year the marketing departments of both the Florida and California theme park giants come up with themes for their annual Halloween scarefest Halloween Horror Nights, but usually the two are different....but not THIS year.

   With the unprecedented success of AMC's The Walking Dead, Universal Studios has agreed to let brave fans try to elude the undead at BOTH parks this Halloween season. While details remain somewhat sketchy still as to what exactly will be done, you can rest assured that there will be NO skimping on detail or creativity - I have been only to Universal Studios Orlando and have NEVER been disappointed with their presentation out of the many visits to HHN. Their attention to finite specifics in their mazes and scarehouses are simply A-rate, and this season will be no exception.
 
   If you click on the pic you will be running for your life to the Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights website, where you will be able to view preview videos, see the dates already set up for this year's event, and even get tickets if you so desire - it's still early on, but rest assured that Universal will not stop here...there will most definitely be many more houses to be announced, and plenty of scares to keep you wanna-be tough guys and gals in line !!

Zombie-Proof Car ? You know you wanna drive it !

Matt Boiselle

    Amongst the numerous things that are needed to successfully survive a zombie apocalypse (weapons w/ plenty of ammo, shelter & food), a nice car could only help matters, correct ? This would certainly prove true if as an added bonus, your 4-wheeled automobile should be constructed for the long haul ala The Road Warrior style setup.

   In conjunction with the release of The Walking Dead's 100th comic issue, creator Robert Kirkland and auto maker Hyundai have crashed brainpans on a sweepstakes that will let a winner drive away with a zombie-killing modified 2013 Elantra GT. The car itself will be on display at the Hyundai Undead Future US Booth at this year's Comic-Con International in San Diego, California.

  If you click on the pic above. you can check out a 4 minute interview w/ Kirkman as he discusses surviving a zombie outbreak and the design plans for the Elantra. You can also jump on over to http://www.hyundaiundead.com/ to enter yourself in the sweepstakes for this Walking Dead slaughter sleigh. I know I personally can't wait for the day when we as a collective group of consumers can stroll onto a car lot, walk up to one of those slimy salesmen, and say " I'm not concerned about gas mileage or emissions, but how many zombies could I potentially wipe out behind the wheel of this little beauty ?" Good luck to all that enter !

The Walking Dead obstacle course: could you survive ?

Matt Boiselle

  At this year's San Diego Comic-Con 2012, fans of The Walking Dead will have the unique chance to participate in one of the coolest and most innovative marketing ideas to come down the pipe in a very long time.

      It's called The Walking Dead Escape, and it will coincide with the release of Issue # 100 of the insanely popular comic-book series, and will give zombie lovers the chance to head through the course in 1 of 3 different scenarios  -  Scenario #1: Players can run through as a survivor attempting to escape through a zombie-infested evacuation area. - Scenario #2: Play as one of the "walkers" and attempt to attack other survivors. - Scenario #3 - If your not too proud of your running skills, you could be one of the survivors that has made it to the escape party and is watching the apocalypse from the sidelines.

   There is no actual "time limit" in the course, but all participants must remember that this is the apocalypse !! There isn't time to stand around and admire the scenery......zombies are chasing you for cryin out loud !!! Tickets are $ 70 per person and more info can be found on the website when you click on the link in the pic of Petco Park: the scene where this year at Comic-Con, you can opt to
either survive, or become one of the undead masses that make up The Walking Dead !!