REVIEW: SLUG Zombies Decrepit Katie

REVIEW: SLUG Zombies Series 2 - Buck Wilde

Produced by JAKKS Pacific | Released 2012

SLUG Zombies Series 2

The second wave of SLUG Zombies, released in 2012, introduced a new sub-line of figures: human survivors! 

Colored in a nostalgic MUSCLE pink/peach, the humans not only added a new colorway to the all-green line-up but also allowed the designers to introduce additional parodies and homages. We've already seen their take on a certain zombie-hating Englishman and Antipodean survivalist and now we add another...

Buck Wilde

From his duster coat, stetson and sheriff's badge, it's obvious Buck Wilde is a western lawman. Unfortunately, I have to admit that I'm not entirely sure whether he's supposed to be a parody of an existing character or whether he's an amalgam of generic ''western sheriff''-style characters...

EDIT: As John points out in the comment section, this is of course a homage to The Walking Dead's Rick Grimes. D'oh!

Whatever Buck Wilde's origins though, he's a pretty neat-looking figure. As with the rest of the SLUG Zombie line, the sculpt work is highly detailed. Check out the ragged edges on his duster coat, his belt shirt buttons and even his fingers and facial features.

And as we've come to expect, the details are superbly rendered, with crisp, sharp edges and lines. Every time I photograph a SLUG figure I'm impressed with the fine detail and sculpt work that goes into each.

Like most of the survivor figures, Buck Wilde is sculpted in a kind of ''open arms'' pose that echoes the old MUSCLE Men stance. It's not the most practical of poses for a zombie hunter but I like the nice little nod to the past.

Buck Wilde is one of the rarer SLUG Zombie humans, appearing as an exclusive in a three pack along with the Macho Mangler and Flesh Eatin' Phil. 

Final Thoughts

As is often the case with some of the SLUG Zombie figures, Buck Wilde is a figure where the images pretty much tell you everything you need to know. There's no articulation to discuss and, as with the rest of the line, the sculpting and production are both excellent. It's not intended as any kind of detrimental comment but there's really very little to add here.

If you like the SLUG Zombies line, dig the retro-MUSCLE look of the humans or you just like cowboys then you'll find a lot to like here. As I said, the sculpting is detailed and nicely rendered, the pose is cool and he's a neat addition to the line. If you're not a fan of these little rubbery figures you probably won't see what all the fuss is about but if you're a convert to the Cult of Keshi then you're sure to like Buck Wilde.

Another great figure that reminds you of just how much fun the SLUG Zombie line was.

Image Gallery

REVIEW: SLUG Zombies Series 3 - Trashcan Sam

Produced by JAKKS Pacific | Released November 2012

SLUG Zombies...?

Whilst I'm not a believer in luck or curses, there's an annoying synchronicity between the toy lines I like to collect and toy lines that get cancelled. It seems every time I find a range of toys I really like, they never stick around for very long. Of all the lines I've seen die, perhaps the most frustrating was the SLUG  line. A fantastic homage to the MUSCLE and Monster in my Pocket-style of Keshi toys, SLUG (Scary Little Ugly Guys) was an umbrella brand that would have seen its creators, JAKKS Pacific, releasing other sub-lines such as Aliens and Monsters had they continued beyond the initial Zombie theme. Unfortunately, whether due to poor sales, weird exclusive spreads, the Zombie theme overstaying its welcome or just not finding an audience, the SLUG line was canned before the proposed collection of 100 figures was released.

Despite its commercial failings, the line was a strong, fun throwback to the 80s and 90s little rubber guy figures and although the line is now dead, it's always irked me that I never completed our Review index of the figures that were released (and the few ''pre-release'' press figures we received from JAKKS Pacific before the line was cancelled) so with that in mind, we'll be revisiting the line over the coming months not only to complete the list but also to celebrate just how awesome these little guys where.

So with that in mind, here's our look at Series 3's Trashcan Sam.

Trashcan Sam

Whilst the majority of the Zombies in the SLUG line could be described as ''walkers,'' the designers had the foresight to mix things up a little by also adding in some ''boxed'' characters, such as the coffin-breaking Jon B. Gone, the Return of the Living Dead homage Decayin' Dom, Egyptian Empress Cleopatra Commin' Atcha and a host of other such ''emerging'' characters. We can now add another character to that roster in the form of Trashcan Sam.

Available as an exclusive in a three-figure pack along with Decrepit Katie and the (non-exclusive) Chuck Norris tribute Johnny Two-Guns, Trashcan Sam is a perfect example of the SLUG Zombie line's tight sculpting and fun, gross-out comedy.

As you can see - and as his name suggests - Trashcan Sam is a zombie trapped in - or climbing out of - a trashcan. It's a neat design (my guess is he climbed in looking for something to snack on between brains and got stuck) and the execution certainly does justice to the concept.

Trashcan Sam's sculpt is neat, with some great little touches to the character including the seemingly obligatory torn clothing but there are also some character-specific details like his baseball cap (and I love the detail on the adjustable band) and his ghastly expression. But it's the trash element that really sells the concept. From the banana peel on his shoulder to the fish head poking out at his breast and the bugs crawling over his body and the can itself, there are some great touches that are, as always, sculpted and produced with an incredibly sharp level of detail.

There are a couple of minor issues with the figure, though. First up, the trashcan is rather oddly shaped. It appears to have been flattened, although I'm guessing it's simply to be a better ''fit'' for the character's shape. And speaking of Sam himself, whilst he's proportioned well in isolation, he's rather large when compared not only to other figures in the line but also to the trashcan. It's a minor issue but if you spend any time looking at him it'll probably start to bug you if you're the sort of person these things get to... Still, the close-up details more than make up for any scale issues and I mention it simply in passing.

Final Thoughts

As I stated in the intro, it's a real shame that the SLUG Zombie line didn't find a large enough audience. They're a fun, creepy, icky line of toys that have enough of a Garbage Pail Kids/MUSCLE vibe for us oldies but are gross-out and fun enough for the youngsters to enjoy. And Trashcan Sam is a great representation of the line in general.

From the fun high concept to the close-up detail and execution, there's a lot to enjoy here. If you're the sort of person who scrutinizes their toys or likes to display stuff that's going to catch the eye then you'll really dig Trashcan Sam. I've owned the figure for over a year now and I still spot new stuff whenever I look at him.

Yes, his proportions are a little off and the trashcan does hide the lower half of his sculpt but part of the fun of the SLUG Zombies line is seeing different and new takes on the ''classic'' zombie and this manages do that perfectly.

Great sculpt work and a fun concept add up to a cool-looking figure.

Image Gallery

Shop for SLUG Zombies at Entertainment Earth

SITE NEWS: SLUG Zombies Review Index Update

Just a quick update to let you know we've overhauled the SLUG Zombies Review Index to include the Holiday Special figures and some additional information on the unreleased Collector Cases, plus a list of the figures that were produced but didn't make it to retail.

Check it out!

REVIEW: SLUG Zombies Series 2 - Andrew Agony/Jump Shot Rot

Produced by JAKKS Pacific | Released August 2012

NEWS: RIP SLUG Zombies

It seems JAKKS Pacific has officially cancelled the SLUG Zombies line of figures.

REVIEW: SLUG Zombies Series 2 - Flesh Eatin' Phil

Produced by JAKKS Pacific | Released 2012

REVIEW: SLUG Zombies Series 1 - Headless Halpert

Produced by JAKKS Pacific | Released January 2012

REVIEW: SLUG Zombies Series 1 - Piece Mail Pete

Produced by JAKKS Pacific | Released 2012

IN OTHER NEWS... 02/07/2013

Two alone Star Wars movies could see the return of a couple of fan favorites, SLUG zombies Series 5 and beyond, Guardians of the Galaxy news, Podcasts and more - all as featured in today's In Other News...

VIDEO VIEW: Pixel Dan's SLUG Zombies Christmas Wave Review

REVIEW: SLUG Zombies Holiday Series - Frozen Fright

Produced by JAKKS Pacific | Released December 2012

Previous Job: A Cumulus Cloud

Likes: Skiing & Bird Watching

Dislikes: Springtime

Favorite Food: Spleen Sorbet

REVIEW: SLUG Zombies Holiday Series - Johnny Hammer-Stix

Produced by JAKKS Pacific | Released December 2012

Previous Job: Drummer Boy

Likes: Fresh Cut Grass

Dislikes: Rain on his Parade & Broken Drumsticks

Favorite Food: Carcass Casserole

REVIEW: SLUG Zombies Series 3 - Johnny Two-Guns

Produced by JAKKS Pacific | Released November 2012

Survival Skill: Being Himself

Likes: His Hairy Chest, Making Zombies Pay

Dislikes: No-Good Zombie Scum

Favorite Quote: ''I Can Shoot Down Zombies Just By Yelling BANG!''

REVIEW: SLUG Zombies Series 3 - The Deadlifter

Produced by JAKKS Pacific | Released November 2012

Previous Job: Mr Galaxy

Likes: Lifting Heavy Stuff

Dislikes: Socks That Fall Down

Favorite Food: Anything You Can Eat With a Straw!

REVIEW: SLUG Zombies Series 3 - Tragic Magic

Produced by JAKKS Pacific | Released November 2012

Previous Job: Magician

Likes: Bunny Rabbits, Hats & Hacksaws

Dislikes: Hecklers, Bad Crowds

Favorite Food: Vegetarians (They Taste Better)

REVIEW: SLUG Zombies Series 3 - Double-Barrel Carol

Produced by JAKKS Pacific | Released November 2012

Survival Skill: Her Unwavering Wit

Likes: B Horror Movies

Dislikes: Mini-Golf, Crying Children

Favorite Quote: ''Totally Not Cool!''

REVIEW: SLUG Zombies Series 3 - Zero Hero

Produced by JAKKS Pacific | Released November 2012

Previous Job: Video Store Clerk
Likes: His Ability to See Through Skulls
Dislikes: 9-to-5 Jobs
Favorite Food: Surfer-N-Turfer

REVIEW: SLUG Zombies Series 3 - Extra Crispy

Produced by JAKKS Pacific | Released November 2012

Previous Job: Chicken Farmer/Entrepreneur
Likes: His Secret Ingredients (You Don't Wanna Know!)
Dislikes: The Health Department
Favorite Food: Deep Fried Fibulas

REVIEW: SLUG Zombies Series 3 - Riled-Up Riley

Produced by JAKKS Pacific | Released November 2012

Survival Skill: His Boy Scout Training
Likes: A Quiet Night At Home With The Misses
Dislikes: Telemarketers, Clutter
Favorite Quote: ''This Could Get Ugly...''