Army Men vs Zombies

This week it is Halloween, which originally is a celebration to 'All Saints'. In modern times and pop culture Halloween has focused more on 'to frighten evil spirits' and turned into a horror and gore related celebration. Anyway, by this time of year the shops are full of everything Halloween related merchandise, and the toyshops are no exception.

While visiting a toy store in Sweden (at the border just some 60km south from where I live) last weekend with my youngest son, I saw a 'new' bucket of soldiers. -And they were Halloween themed. The bucket was labeled "Zombie Hunter", "Marines vs Zombies", and "Zombie Battle Playset". It got my attentionand I took a closer look on it.

I haven't seen the Zombie figures before, but they looked somewhat chunky, 'cartoonish' and not so well proportioned. Since some of the Zombies was 'kids' they looked bigger than the 'Marines'. The 'Marines' on the other hand I've seen before, as they are identical to 'The Corps' futuristic army men looking like Starship Troopers. 

So, did I buy one? No. These almost 'Pound Store figures', were not at sale at 'Pound Store prices'. At £ 16,10 or $ 21,48 or € 18,41 for only 105 pieces I didn't think it was worth it. If I'm going to make an 'Zombie Army' for a future game, I'm considering converting some of these. I still have some 90+ unpainted 'Space Marines' left from a larger 'Bucket of Soldiers'. - So it's no danger for me painting my last miniature yet, hence Mark's latest blogpost at Pound Store Plastic Warriors.

These futuristic Army Men or Space Marines looks like they're made as 'Starship Troopers', but are very versatile and generic and can be used for everything from near future troops to various alien armies. The prone sniper looks like a present day soldier. Perhaps they even can be used for Warhammer 40k or Kill Team? They are notably smaller than regular 54mm figures. I've been using them to create a small section of 'V' - Visitors Shock Troopers and James at the Quantrill's Toy Soldiers have used them for making a Sci-fi Lizard Alien Army and more recently classic Space Opera Troopers. Please share a link in the comment-section if you have made your own versions of them.

However you celebrate it, Happy Halloween!