TOP TEN FAVORITE ZOMBIES
Zombies. Are they pure fiction, religious myth, or reality? Religions around the world hold a belief in a life after death, resurrection or raising the body from its resting place. Stories centering on creatures called "Revenants" have existed for hundreds of years if not thousands, in medieval literature. Stories of necromancy and the black arts about calling up the dead and enslaving corpses to the master's will. Christianity features many different beliefs in the raising of the dead from true resurrections of Lazarus and Jesus Christ to the dead being called up at the "End Times" and once more walking the Earth. And then of course there is the Voodoo zombie belief, mindless thralls subject to the whims of a voodoo priest or priestess.
No matter what you believe, zombies have become a permanent fixture in pop culture from literature, television, to film. Maybe the prevalence of zombies in media is humanity's subconscious way of dealing with the concept of death and resurrection, our own mortality, and events beyond our control. I've met people who have a very real fear of zombies borderlining on
being completely irrational. And I've met those who don't find zombies
scary in the least, save for some of the more gross looking designs. Regardless, humanity has an incredible fascination with zombies, especially in film and television.
I just think zombies are cool. And of course, very scary when presented right.
I love zombie movies, they are among some of my favorite horror film subject matter. And not only in movies and television but in comic books and video games as well. Generally zombies in film and television function as a group. They are the nameless hordes of living dead, both terrifying yet most of them forgotten or unrecognizable from one to the next. Occasionally you come across a zombie that stands out for one reason or another but then they drift back into the herd and disappear amongst the crowd.
Of the vast number of zombies populating pop culture there are a relative few who stand out from the rest. Rarely does a zombie possess individuality but on occasion you encounter a single zombie who is a completely unique character unto themselves. There are countless forgettable zombies out there but of the few unique zombies among them there are many that I love.
From comic books to movies to video games, these are my personal favorite zombie characters.
This list isn't meant to disparage any character or say that any character here is less great than another. These are my favorites zombie characters that I've grown to love over the course of my life.
This list isn't meant to disparage any character or say that any character here is less great than another. These are my favorites zombie characters that I've grown to love over the course of my life.
And as usual I've included some (a lot!) bonuses...
Enjoy!
JUST FOR FUN
JUST FOR FUN
#22
MICHAEL JACKSON
From: MICHAEL JACKSON: THRILLER (1983)
Portrayed by: Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson's THRILLER, directed by the great John Landis, is the most successful music video of all time and one of the greatest tributes to horror ever made. Featuring make-up effects by horror legend Rick Baker (who also doubles as a zombie in the film), and cameo appearances by horror expert Forrest J. Ackerman, make-up effects master Kevin Yahger, horror director Mick Garris, and one of the greatest horror icons ever: Vincent Price. The song itself is about the thrill and excitement of watching a horror film.
Perhaps the most watched and celebrated zombie film ever made. And Michael Jackson's zombie from that film is one of the most recognized and iconic zombies of all time. I find it so amazing that the "King of Pop" wrote a song dedicated to horror films.
Michael Jackson's THRILLER, directed by the great John Landis, is the most successful music video of all time and one of the greatest tributes to horror ever made. Featuring make-up effects by horror legend Rick Baker (who also doubles as a zombie in the film), and cameo appearances by horror expert Forrest J. Ackerman, make-up effects master Kevin Yahger, horror director Mick Garris, and one of the greatest horror icons ever: Vincent Price. The song itself is about the thrill and excitement of watching a horror film.
Perhaps the most watched and celebrated zombie film ever made. And Michael Jackson's zombie from that film is one of the most recognized and iconic zombies of all time. I find it so amazing that the "King of Pop" wrote a song dedicated to horror films.
#21
BILL MURRAY
From: ZOMBIELAND (2009)
Portrayed by: Bill Murray
One of the best moments in ZOMBIELAND is the brief appearance by Bill Murray. So awesome! So funny! Legendary? Nuff' said.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
#20
FULCI ZOMBIE
From: ZOMBIE (1979) a.k.a. ZOMBI 2
Portrayed by: Ottaviano Dell'Acqua
The zombie featured on the cover and the posters for Lucio Fulci's zombie masterpiece: ZOMBIE. You can't talk about the greatest zombies of cinema without conjuring up this nightmarish countenance. One of the best zombies ever created... and it's only on screen for a few seconds! One look at this zombie and you'll likely remember it for the rest of your life.
#19
CARREFOUR
Portrayed by: Darby Jones
One of the best zombie movies, in my opinion, is Val Lewton and Jacques Tourneur's I WALKED WITH A ZOMBIE. Of the few zombies shown in the film the most striking is Carrefour, portrayed by actor Darby Jones. An imposing figure before the make-up, Jones transforms into a genuinely creepy and unnerving voodoo zombie. A brilliant performance in a brilliant movie.
#18
ARTHUR GRIMSDYKE
From: TALES FROM THE CRYPT (1972)
Portrayed by: Peter Cushing
I can't rave enough about how great Peter Cushing is and one of his best roles happens to be one of his shortest roles. Arthur Grimsdyke was a kind widower who loved seeing the smiles on children's faces when he would give them new toys. But his house was a bit of an eyesore for his upscale neighborhood. One of his rich neighbors conspired to drive Grimsdyke out of the neighborhood. Instead of driving Grimsdyke to move out, the tide of cruelty drove Grimsdyke to commit suicide. But sometimes a vengeful soul cannot rest. Grimsdyke rose from the grave and exacted his revenge.
It's a short story in the classic horror anthology film, TALES FROM THE CRYPT. The make-up effects are incredible and for the brief few seconds the zombie Grimsdyke is on screen, it showcases one of cinema's best zombies.
I can't rave enough about how great Peter Cushing is and one of his best roles happens to be one of his shortest roles. Arthur Grimsdyke was a kind widower who loved seeing the smiles on children's faces when he would give them new toys. But his house was a bit of an eyesore for his upscale neighborhood. One of his rich neighbors conspired to drive Grimsdyke out of the neighborhood. Instead of driving Grimsdyke to move out, the tide of cruelty drove Grimsdyke to commit suicide. But sometimes a vengeful soul cannot rest. Grimsdyke rose from the grave and exacted his revenge.
It's a short story in the classic horror anthology film, TALES FROM THE CRYPT. The make-up effects are incredible and for the brief few seconds the zombie Grimsdyke is on screen, it showcases one of cinema's best zombies.
#17
RICHARD WRITH
From: BLOOD CREEK (2009)
Portrayed by: Michael Fassbender
Zombie Nazis make for the ultimate villains in horror (that or they're the perfect combination for audiences to hate). Richard Wirth was a Nazi occult expert, searching for occult means to further the Third Reich's ambitions, discovers an ancient runestone. Deciphering the runes turns Wirth in an immortal zombie. Once the power of the runestone is revealed, a local family traps Wirth in a farm celler. Nearly 70 years later Wirth escapes and it is up to the family who trapped him, along with two brothers, to stop him.
Michael Fassbender plays an incredible villain. Not only is Richard Wirth a zombie Nazi, he's also a super zombie. Unkillable in the usual ways and harnessing old occult magics, Wirth makes for one impressive and wicked zombie.
#16
LIV MOORE
From: iZOMBIE (2015-2018)
Portrayed by: Rose McIver
A fateful accident aboard a boat turns the usually well dispositioned and happy Oliva into a pale and morose shell of herself. She abandons her old life and takes a position as a mortician's assistant. There she discovers how tasty human brains are and whatsmore, that she's one of the living dead. With a connection to the victims she's eaten, she begins assisting a detective in solving murder cases. And the human flesh has a way of suppressing her zombie urges.
Based off of a DC Comic by the same name, the tv show is quite a bit different from source material. Lead actress Rose McIver is so charming as the character and the story is a lot of fun. It's hard not to like her.
A fateful accident aboard a boat turns the usually well dispositioned and happy Oliva into a pale and morose shell of herself. She abandons her old life and takes a position as a mortician's assistant. There she discovers how tasty human brains are and whatsmore, that she's one of the living dead. With a connection to the victims she's eaten, she begins assisting a detective in solving murder cases. And the human flesh has a way of suppressing her zombie urges.
Based off of a DC Comic by the same name, the tv show is quite a bit different from source material. Lead actress Rose McIver is so charming as the character and the story is a lot of fun. It's hard not to like her.
#15
DR. CARL HILL
From: RE-ANIMATOR (1985)
Portrayed by: David Gale
Re-Animator is a zombie movie unlike any other. And likewise, Dr. Carl Hill is a zombie unlike any you've ever seen. The character is first decapitated with a shovel and then his head is re-animated. Then his body is re-animated separately. The head controls the body and the body carries Dr. Hill's head around in a duffel bag or in his hands. And later still his body is injected with more reagent and his intestines come alive too!
And the things Dr. Hill does while a zombie are eye-widening and depraved! It's darkly funny and incredibly gross and irreverent. Like I said above, there isn't another zombie quite like Dr. Hill.
Re-Animator is a zombie movie unlike any other. And likewise, Dr. Carl Hill is a zombie unlike any you've ever seen. The character is first decapitated with a shovel and then his head is re-animated. Then his body is re-animated separately. The head controls the body and the body carries Dr. Hill's head around in a duffel bag or in his hands. And later still his body is injected with more reagent and his intestines come alive too!
And the things Dr. Hill does while a zombie are eye-widening and depraved! It's darkly funny and incredibly gross and irreverent. Like I said above, there isn't another zombie quite like Dr. Hill.
#14
SCHWEICK
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| Schweick is the zombie in the lower center |
From: THE BEYOND (1981)
Portrayed by: Antoine Saint-John
In 1927 a small town near New Orleans was beset by a series of unknown and horrific events. The townsfolk, believing a man named SCHWEICK as the one responsible, formed a lynch mob. They found Schweick staying in room #36 at the Seven Doors Hotel as he was painting a portrait of a hellish landscape. Believing him to be a warlock they tortured him and crucified him. This event inadvertently opened one of the gates of Hell. Nearly 60 years later, the hotel is reopened and the forces of Hell flood out into our world, Schweick's zombified corpse leading the hellish assault.
I love the sick look for Schweick, the melted lips and black empty eye-sockets. Schweick haunts the characters in this film, appearing out of nowhere either as a corpse nailed to the wall or leading a group of zombies to kill the protagonists. He's literally the envoy for Hell in this movie, a zombie and a specter of horror. Definitely not your standard shambling corpse but oh so frightening.
In 1927 a small town near New Orleans was beset by a series of unknown and horrific events. The townsfolk, believing a man named SCHWEICK as the one responsible, formed a lynch mob. They found Schweick staying in room #36 at the Seven Doors Hotel as he was painting a portrait of a hellish landscape. Believing him to be a warlock they tortured him and crucified him. This event inadvertently opened one of the gates of Hell. Nearly 60 years later, the hotel is reopened and the forces of Hell flood out into our world, Schweick's zombified corpse leading the hellish assault.
I love the sick look for Schweick, the melted lips and black empty eye-sockets. Schweick haunts the characters in this film, appearing out of nowhere either as a corpse nailed to the wall or leading a group of zombies to kill the protagonists. He's literally the envoy for Hell in this movie, a zombie and a specter of horror. Definitely not your standard shambling corpse but oh so frightening.
#13
SOLOMON GRUNDY
From: DC COMICS
First Appearance: ALL-AMERICAN COMICS #61 (October 1944)
Cyrus Gold was a wealthy merchant living the good life but making a fair share of enemies. A few of his enemies later decided to stop him for good. Cyrus Gold was murdered and his body was dumped in the Slaughter Swamp just outside of Gotham City. A half century later Cyrus rose from the murky bog depths, his living dead corpse partially grown into the swamp plant-life. Inhumanly strong and extremely violent, Cyrus' mind had deteriorated to the point where he couldn't remember his own name save that he was born on a Monday. Reminded of an old nursery rhyme, Cyrus took the name Solomon Grundy.
First Appearance: ALL-AMERICAN COMICS #61 (October 1944)
Cyrus Gold was a wealthy merchant living the good life but making a fair share of enemies. A few of his enemies later decided to stop him for good. Cyrus Gold was murdered and his body was dumped in the Slaughter Swamp just outside of Gotham City. A half century later Cyrus rose from the murky bog depths, his living dead corpse partially grown into the swamp plant-life. Inhumanly strong and extremely violent, Cyrus' mind had deteriorated to the point where he couldn't remember his own name save that he was born on a Monday. Reminded of an old nursery rhyme, Cyrus took the name Solomon Grundy.
For a long time I didn't know what Solomon Grundy was. I actually thought he was kinda silly thanks to the SUPER FRIENDS cartoon and I even thought of him as DC's version of the Incredible Hulk except, you know, as a badguy (which isn't too far off from the Hulk if you think about it). It wasn't until around the time the DC event BLACKEST NIGHT was coming out that I realized how awesome of a character he actually is and the great capacity for horror that lay in his character. The seven issue mini series SOLOMON GRUNDY by Scott Kolins really turned the character around for me and made him one of my favorite DC villains.
#12
NEMESIS
From: RESIDENT EVIL 3: NEMESIS (1999)
Created by: Shinji Mikami & Kazuhiro Aoyama
Love him or hate him, Nemesis is the most infamous zombie in the entire RESIDENT EVIL video game franchise (or one of them anyway). Super powerful, nearly unkillable, and frustratingly tenacious, Nemesis stalks Jill Valentine relentlessly through the game. Nemesis is one helluva super zombie. He's got one scary design and a brutal personality to go along with it. By all rights RESIDENT EVIL 3: NEMESIS is his game. He even made it into one of the Resident Evil movies (you know, the movies that have almost nothing to do with the games).
Capcom created one of their most memorable characters when they created Nemesis.
#11
OBERST HERZOG
From: DEAD SNOW (2009)
Portrayed by: Orjan Gamst
Going back to what I was saying earlier about zombie Nazis being the perfect villain combo to hate, here is perhaps the greatest example: STANDARTENFUHRER HERZOG. A Nazi commander stationed near Oksfjord, Norway, he and his troops' oppression of the area during World War II became the stories of legend. Towards the end of the war Herzog and his troops looted and pillaged the area. Once the locals finally rose up in defiance they drove Herzog and his remaining troops into the mountains and cursed them. Over sixty years later the curse was defiled by a group of skiers and Herzog and his troops emerged from their icy graves as zombies.
While the movies are decidedly horror comedies (in the vein of Evil Dead and Dead Alive), Herzog has a powerful and dark presence to him. Like the final boss of a video game, he is made of sturdier stuff than the other zombie Nazis. He's as evil as they come and a wonderful villain. If you haven't seen DEAD SNOW or its sequel DEAD SNOW 2: RED VS DEAD I highly recommend you do so. They are sheer delights.
THE TOP TEN
#10
DR. FREUDSTEIN
From: HOUSE BY THE CEMETERY (1981)
Portrayed by: Giovanni De Nava
Jacob Tess Freudstein was a Victorian doctor and scientist who lived over 150 years ago. Accused of conducting illegal procedures and experiments, Dr. Freudstein found a way to cheat death. He discovered that by removing his own dying body parts and replacing them with freshly harvest body parts from healthy specimens he could extend his life. Immigrating to America with his wife and daughter, Freudstein's experiments drove him insane. He killed his wife and daughter for their body parts. Over the last century and a half he has lured people to their deaths and pilfered the graves of the nearby cemetery.
DR. FREUDSTEIN is one sick and twisted zombie character, which is exactly why he's one of the best. Like the Frankenstein Monster, Freudstein is a composite being of reanimated dead tissue. Men. women, children, and corpses, he's harvested tissue from the living and the dead to sustain his necrotic life. In fact he's like an amalgamation of Dr. Frankenstein and the Frankenstein Monster, but instead of robbing the graves of the freshly deceased he goes full on slasher killer on anyone he can find. Underrated and underappreciated, Dr. Freudstein deserves a place in the movie monster hall of fame (in my opinion).
Jacob Tess Freudstein was a Victorian doctor and scientist who lived over 150 years ago. Accused of conducting illegal procedures and experiments, Dr. Freudstein found a way to cheat death. He discovered that by removing his own dying body parts and replacing them with freshly harvest body parts from healthy specimens he could extend his life. Immigrating to America with his wife and daughter, Freudstein's experiments drove him insane. He killed his wife and daughter for their body parts. Over the last century and a half he has lured people to their deaths and pilfered the graves of the nearby cemetery.
DR. FREUDSTEIN is one sick and twisted zombie character, which is exactly why he's one of the best. Like the Frankenstein Monster, Freudstein is a composite being of reanimated dead tissue. Men. women, children, and corpses, he's harvested tissue from the living and the dead to sustain his necrotic life. In fact he's like an amalgamation of Dr. Frankenstein and the Frankenstein Monster, but instead of robbing the graves of the freshly deceased he goes full on slasher killer on anyone he can find. Underrated and underappreciated, Dr. Freudstein deserves a place in the movie monster hall of fame (in my opinion).
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| This is a statue by William Paquet and is the best depiction of Freudstein outside of the movie. |
#9
LORD RAPTOR
From: DARKSTALKERS (1994)
Portrayed by: Yuji Ueda
The premiere zombie of the Fighting Game genre, Lord Raptor is a video game character in the 2D fighting game, DARKSTALKERS, for the Playstion. He's a British rocker who can really shred on guitar... and your flesh. Definitely one of the most unique zombie characters out there (he can literally turn his body into bone and flesh power tools like chainsaws and drills). His ribs extend and form sharp stabbing implements.
Lord Raptor also has one fun personality to go along with a fun move-set. I need a new adjective for him but he's such a fun and memorable character to play as in a game stuffed full with fun and memorable characters.
The premiere zombie of the Fighting Game genre, Lord Raptor is a video game character in the 2D fighting game, DARKSTALKERS, for the Playstion. He's a British rocker who can really shred on guitar... and your flesh. Definitely one of the most unique zombie characters out there (he can literally turn his body into bone and flesh power tools like chainsaws and drills). His ribs extend and form sharp stabbing implements.
Lord Raptor also has one fun personality to go along with a fun move-set. I need a new adjective for him but he's such a fun and memorable character to play as in a game stuffed full with fun and memorable characters.
#8
MUM (VERA COSGROVE)
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From: DEAD ALIVE a.k.a. BRAINDEAD (1992)
Portrayed by: Elizabeth Moody
Mum is one supremely epic zombie, maybe the most epic in all live action film. Certainly one of the most disgusting of all time. She goes from being a semi-normal zombie to a gargantuan twelve foot tall zombie monster. She even literally opens up her own belly to pull her adult son back inside of her (if that description sounds nasty wait until you see it in the movie!). Mum's incredibly disturbing appearance is the piece de resistance in what is likely still the goriest film ever made. Directed by a man of such fine pedigree as Peter Jackson (yup, the same Peter Jackson responsible for the Lord of the Rings films), DEAD ALIVE is a zombie movie in the vein of EVIL DEAD 2 but way more gory. And Mum delivers one unforgettable finale. She's like the Queen Alien of zombies.
Mum is one supremely epic zombie, maybe the most epic in all live action film. Certainly one of the most disgusting of all time. She goes from being a semi-normal zombie to a gargantuan twelve foot tall zombie monster. She even literally opens up her own belly to pull her adult son back inside of her (if that description sounds nasty wait until you see it in the movie!). Mum's incredibly disturbing appearance is the piece de resistance in what is likely still the goriest film ever made. Directed by a man of such fine pedigree as Peter Jackson (yup, the same Peter Jackson responsible for the Lord of the Rings films), DEAD ALIVE is a zombie movie in the vein of EVIL DEAD 2 but way more gory. And Mum delivers one unforgettable finale. She's like the Queen Alien of zombies.
#7
BUB
From: DAY OF THE DEAD (1985)
Portrayed by: Sherman Howard
Until the appearance of Bub, George Romero's DEAD films never featured a "hero" zombie or an actual zombie character of note. Arguments can be made here and there, but no other zombie in the Romero films had as much character and even sympathy as Bub. I say sympathy because you come to feel for Bub in DAY OF THE DEAD as he is ironically the most likable character in the film. He's charming, respectful, and has a childlike innocence to him. And he's a Stephen King reader too. He even gets to kill the badguy at the end of the movie! Talk about royal treatment for a zombie in a Romero film.
If only Romero had continued to explore Bub in another film (which is what Romero sort of did with the hero zombie in LAND OF THE DEAD) but I don't think the studio that produced the subsequent Dead films had the rights to Bub. Anyway, out of all six Romero Dead films Bub is the best zombie of all of them.
#6
THE BLIND DEAD
Portrayed by: Luis Barboo
Undead satanic Templar Knights, these medieval knights pledged their souls to the Devil, sacrificing village maidens to their dark lord. Eventually the townsfolk rose up against the Templars, rounding them up, burning out their eyes, and finally burning them at the stake. The leader of the Templars shouted a curse as he burned, calling upon their demonic master for power. Despite their pleas the Knight Templars burned. Afterwards their corpses rose from their graves slaughtering everyone who made a noise, men, women, and children.
One of my personal favorite horror discoveries of the last few years are the undead Knights Templar, better known as, THE BLIND DEAD. Cloaked in dirty shrouds, hoods covering their skeletal faces, evocative of the specter of death himself. They're blind but their hearing is acute, killing anything that makes a noise. A haunting choral chant score accompanies their arrival in the film too. They've appeared in four films (officially) and with cameos in others (including Army of Darkness!). This horde of zombies is truly unlike any other.
Undead satanic Templar Knights, these medieval knights pledged their souls to the Devil, sacrificing village maidens to their dark lord. Eventually the townsfolk rose up against the Templars, rounding them up, burning out their eyes, and finally burning them at the stake. The leader of the Templars shouted a curse as he burned, calling upon their demonic master for power. Despite their pleas the Knight Templars burned. Afterwards their corpses rose from their graves slaughtering everyone who made a noise, men, women, and children.
One of my personal favorite horror discoveries of the last few years are the undead Knights Templar, better known as, THE BLIND DEAD. Cloaked in dirty shrouds, hoods covering their skeletal faces, evocative of the specter of death himself. They're blind but their hearing is acute, killing anything that makes a noise. A haunting choral chant score accompanies their arrival in the film too. They've appeared in four films (officially) and with cameos in others (including Army of Darkness!). This horde of zombies is truly unlike any other.
#5
TARMAN
Portrayed by: Allan Trautman
The Return of the Living Dead is one of the best horror comedies and zombie movies ever made. It introduced the concept of zombies craving brains too! Among the myriad of zombies in the film, none hold a candle to the incredibly striking and memorable Tarman. He's a zombie who's corpse was sealed in an oil drum for twenty years. When he emerges his flesh is black and liquefying. It's so disgusting and amazing at the same time. Tarman is one of the most memorable zombies in all cinema, in my opinion.
Allan Trautman, a member of Jim Hensen's Muppet team, brought Tarman to life through a combination of costume acting and puppetry lending the character his unique movement.
The Return of the Living Dead is one of the best horror comedies and zombie movies ever made. It introduced the concept of zombies craving brains too! Among the myriad of zombies in the film, none hold a candle to the incredibly striking and memorable Tarman. He's a zombie who's corpse was sealed in an oil drum for twenty years. When he emerges his flesh is black and liquefying. It's so disgusting and amazing at the same time. Tarman is one of the most memorable zombies in all cinema, in my opinion.
Allan Trautman, a member of Jim Hensen's Muppet team, brought Tarman to life through a combination of costume acting and puppetry lending the character his unique movement.
#4
SIMON GARTH
From: MARVEL COMICS
First Appearance: MENACE #5 (July 1953)
Simon Garth was a coffee baron living the life of luxury in New Orleans. One day Simon was kidnapped by a former jilted employee and taken deep into the swamp to be murdered. The former employee offered Garth to a host of voodoo practitioners for ritual sacrifice. When the voodoo priestess arrived she discovered the man to be sacrificed was her daytime boss. Harboring a secret love for Simon, the voodoo priestess tried to help him escape, but the two of them were caught. Forced to complete the ceremony, she performed what she believed to be a merciful act in transforming him into a zombie. Now a mindless shambling desiccated form, Simon stalked the swamps and back alleys as THE ZOMBIE. Endowed with super strength and the ability to heal from any wound, the medallion of Damballah was placed around his neck. And whomever holds the twin medallion has the power to control Simon's actions.
It was the amazing artwork by Boris Vallejo, Earl Norem, and Pablo Marcos that first drew me to the character. Then reading further I came to genuinely enjoy the character, more so than many of Marvel's mainstream heroes in fact. I loved that it was a more adult story set in the Marvel universe. Now, I understand that he's a VERY obscure character that appears so seldom in comics that barely anybody knows about him. He's extremely niche you could say. But no less awesome! As you can imagine I think the world of the character. And when Randy Bowen, the sculptor running BOWEN DESIGNS, created a statue and a mini bust of Simon Garth, it perfectly displayed the amazing character in all three dimensions. Just see for yourself below. Oh, and the statue looks even better in person.
#3
JASON VOORHEES
From: FRIDAY THE 13TH PART VII: THE NEW BLOOD (1988)
Portrayed by: Kane Hodder
Jason Voorhees in one of my top favorite horror characters and one of my top modern horror icons. He's such an incredible force of evil. Over the course of the series you see Jason evolve and transform from a deformed child to a "hard to kill" homicidal maniac to an immortal super zombie. My favorite version of Jason Voorhees is the version that qualifies him for this list: Super Zombie Jason.
It's never been explicitly explained how Jason became one of the living dead, but there are several theories thanks to the underrated entry in the series, JASON GOES TO HELL. Regardless of how or why it happened, in Part 6 Jason's grave was dug up and his corpse was struck by lightning. And, a la the Frankenstein Monster, Jason was reanimated into a zombie. Now, for me, Jason was at his best in FRIDAY THE 13TH PART VII: THE NEW BLOOD. His design was totally wicked and he looked the most zombie like he's ever had. John Carl Buechler's incredible talent is to thank for this. And then there's Kane Hodder's incredible performance, the performance that defined Jason going forward. Kane Hodder is my favorite actor to portray Jason and, in my opinion, his appearance and performance in Part 7 have yet to be topped.
#2
FRANKENSTEIN'S MONSTER
From: FRANKENSTEIN (1931)
Portrayed by: Boris Karloff
In the original novel it is never explicitly described how Victor Frankenstein actually created the Monster (and it is never actually called "The Monster" in the novel either). The book merely states that the creature was created by a combination of chemistry and alchemy. Since this creation sequence is so ambiguous it is highly debatable whether or not the Monster is a "zombie" or something else altogether.
It wasn't until the 1931 Universal Studios movie, FRANKENSTEIN, that the monster became one of the living dead. In the film the Frankenstein Monster was a creature composed of various body parts, all sewn together to create a new composite being. Given reanimation by the power of a lightning strike (perhaps the "God Spark" within that lightning bolt), the Monster became an immortal, unkillable, mass of living dead flesh.
I'm not exactly sure when I first became aware of the Frankenstein Monster, but I know it was at an early age. I became fascinated with the character, buying children's adaptations of the novel, watching the various movies, and acquiring numerous toys. The Frankenstein Monster is not only one of top favorite horror characters but he is also one of the pillars of my horror fandom. I attached to him more than I did Dracula (although I dearly love Dracula too). The Frankenstein Monster has played such a huge role in my continuing love of horror.
It wasn't until the 1931 Universal Studios movie, FRANKENSTEIN, that the monster became one of the living dead. In the film the Frankenstein Monster was a creature composed of various body parts, all sewn together to create a new composite being. Given reanimation by the power of a lightning strike (perhaps the "God Spark" within that lightning bolt), the Monster became an immortal, unkillable, mass of living dead flesh.
I'm not exactly sure when I first became aware of the Frankenstein Monster, but I know it was at an early age. I became fascinated with the character, buying children's adaptations of the novel, watching the various movies, and acquiring numerous toys. The Frankenstein Monster is not only one of top favorite horror characters but he is also one of the pillars of my horror fandom. I attached to him more than I did Dracula (although I dearly love Dracula too). The Frankenstein Monster has played such a huge role in my continuing love of horror.
#1
D'COMPOSE
From: INHUMANOIDS (1986)
Portrayed by: Chris Latta (voice)
The ancient zombie god D'Compose once flooded the Earth with the living dead. A giant grotesque monster of prehistory, his merest touch can transform humans and animals alike into hideous zombified creatures. Immortal and unkillable, D'Compose has the power to bring anyone or anything back from the dead. Together with his fellow Inhumanoids, Metlar and Tendril, they fought against Earth's elemental protectors in a war for dominion over the world. The Earth elementals managed to defeat the Inhumanoids, D'Compose being trapped in a pit of amber. As the millennia passed D'Compose endured, awaiting the day when his horror would be unleashed upon the planet once again.
The first zombie character I was ever introduced to was likely D'Compose "The Undead Horror." I was three years old when this show came out and I remember loving it dearly. D'Compose was my favorite character on the show and the only one of the three Inhumanoids that I received the action figure of. I still have that D'Compose action figure and I still love the cartoon series and the characters. In recent years I rediscovered the show so to speak (though I never forgot it or parted with any of the various action figures I owned) and to my surprise the show held up very well in most cases (but not all of course). And I rediscovered how amazingly horrific D'Compose actually is, so much so that I am shocked that such a character was marketed for children. I think I love the character more today than I ever have before.
D'Compose and the Inhumanoids may have been the very first giant monsters I was ever introduced to in my life (aside from dinosaurs of course) and may very well have been my first step towards the realm of horror. Obviously I have a lot of love for D'Compose and the Inhumanoids and owe them so very much as they likely shaped my odd ball tastes and preferences for the rest of my life.
The ancient zombie god D'Compose once flooded the Earth with the living dead. A giant grotesque monster of prehistory, his merest touch can transform humans and animals alike into hideous zombified creatures. Immortal and unkillable, D'Compose has the power to bring anyone or anything back from the dead. Together with his fellow Inhumanoids, Metlar and Tendril, they fought against Earth's elemental protectors in a war for dominion over the world. The Earth elementals managed to defeat the Inhumanoids, D'Compose being trapped in a pit of amber. As the millennia passed D'Compose endured, awaiting the day when his horror would be unleashed upon the planet once again.
The first zombie character I was ever introduced to was likely D'Compose "The Undead Horror." I was three years old when this show came out and I remember loving it dearly. D'Compose was my favorite character on the show and the only one of the three Inhumanoids that I received the action figure of. I still have that D'Compose action figure and I still love the cartoon series and the characters. In recent years I rediscovered the show so to speak (though I never forgot it or parted with any of the various action figures I owned) and to my surprise the show held up very well in most cases (but not all of course). And I rediscovered how amazingly horrific D'Compose actually is, so much so that I am shocked that such a character was marketed for children. I think I love the character more today than I ever have before.
D'Compose and the Inhumanoids may have been the very first giant monsters I was ever introduced to in my life (aside from dinosaurs of course) and may very well have been my first step towards the realm of horror. Obviously I have a lot of love for D'Compose and the Inhumanoids and owe them so very much as they likely shaped my odd ball tastes and preferences for the rest of my life.
And there you have it! My personal favorite zombies from across nearly all entertainment mediums.
22 entries on this top "ten" list? Sheesh, I think I may have over did it a bit. I really need to understand the concept of a top ten list.
Anyway, I know there are many other great zombie characters out there that didn't make the list, some of them likely favorites yours even. So let us know who your favorite zombie characters are! Leave a comment with your own top ten (or top 22) favorite zombies!
And for more of Blood Work's Top Ten Lists check out the lists below!
TOP TEN JOHN CARPENTER FILMS
TOP TEN GHOST RIDER VILLAINS
TOP TEN DOCTOR STRANGE VILLAINS
TOP TEN MARVEL COSMIC VILLAINS
TOP TEN MARVEL COSMIC HEROES
TOP TEN DOCTOR STRANGE VILLAINS
TOP TEN MARVEL COSMIC VILLAINS
TOP TEN MARVEL COSMIC HEROES
TOP TEN MARVEL SUPERNATURAL HEROES
TOP TEN MARVEL HEROES YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF
TOP TEN MARVEL ROMANCES
TOP TEN MARVEL HEROES YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF
TOP TEN MARVEL ROMANCES
TOP TEN FAVORITE NINJAS (VIDEO GAMES: MALE)
TOP TEN FAVORITE NINJAS (VIDEO GAMES: FEMALE)
TOP TEN FIGHTING GAME GUYS
TOP TEN FIGHTING GAME GALS
TOP TEN CASTLEVANIA GAMES
TOP TEN FAVORITE NINJAS (VIDEO GAMES: FEMALE)
TOP TEN FIGHTING GAME GUYS
TOP TEN FIGHTING GAME GALS
TOP TEN CASTLEVANIA GAMES
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| Lucio Fulci's GATES OF HELL trilogy: City of the Living Dead, The Beyond, and House by the Cemetery! |
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