(click any picture for a larger version)

OK, so my previous post was a gag (cribbed from an old entry on my other blog for BLITEOTW). I posted it to set the mood for this month’s theme…horror!

Everyone remembers M.U.S.C.L.E. toys–those little pink eraser-like rubber figures that came in either plastic canisters or blue four-packs. I think every kid in the ’80s had at least a few of them. They were technically imported Japanese collectible erasers (called kinkeshi) based on the wrestling-themed manga Kinnikuman, but Mattel repackaged the concept for the North American market. M.U.S.C.L.E. stood for “Millions of Unusual Small Creatures Lurking Everywhere.”

So, remember them?

Well, they’re dead.

Fortunately, they’ve been returned to un-life by an enterprising toy company called October Toys.

Formed in 2004, October Toys, LLC is a purveyor of fine toys and collectibles with an artistic twist. The creative misfits who own October Toys have a lifetime of experience collecting toys and two decades combined experience working in the toy industry. While collaborating with a variety of new and established artists, the company is focusing on expanding their debut product, Gwins, as well as adding entirely new projects to the queue.

Z.O.M.B.I.E. is October Toys’ tribute to the mini-figure fads of the ’80s. The name stands for “Zillions Of Mutating Bodies Infecting Everyone.”

Currently they offer five figures in packs of four colors, toxic green, pale blue, white, and of course, glow-in-the-dark. The sets are $5 each, or you can buy all four for $20 and get a free set of Z.O.M.B.I.E.-inspired trading cards. There’s even a downloadable tabletop game based on the figures.

Naturally, I went with the toxic green set, because toxic waste is awesome.* The figures stand about two inches tall.

*Real toxic waste is not awesome, kids. Only goofy green cartoon toxic waste that turns you into a superhero or zombie is awesome.