A shambling horde descended on Dallas, Texas early Friday morning. They moaned, groaned, and went in search of the nearest source of caffeine. Then the fans started pouring in. Your brave commanders roused from their jet lag and sprang into action.
Texas Frightmare Weekend brought us face to face with a lot of die-hard horror fans—many of who came up to the tables and wowed us with their amazing costumes. I will admit to jumping any time a zombie shuffled by or stopped to speak with commanders IronE Singleton and Michael Rooker. However, we were assured that these particular zombies were more interested in speaking with us than eating us. (Juliette cuddled her trusty crossbow in preparation for an attack, nonetheless. My plan involved ducking behind our Special Forces commander. Have you seen the way he fights? Dang!)
Friday night we met with potential ZSC recruits until horses turned back into mice and our coach became a pumpkin. Everyone seemed very eager to chat about proper zombie-slaying etiquette (Always double-tap!) and we even learned a few new techniques. Color this commander impressed. Texas breeds good recruits, folks. Though I must say the funniest part of the night came after we said goodbye to everyone and settled down to eat a late dinner. Juliette flipped through her photos to see what she got and realized that Tom Towles photobombed IronE. He is an outstanding individual…with great comic timing. We’re still giggling.
The following morning, we were back in the swing of things. More jaw-dropping costumes came in through the doors. By the time we got over the shock of how cool they were and how kind the fans were, it was time for the Walking Dead panel. I’ve never in my life seen so many people cram into a room to sit through a panel. Every seat was filled and folks lined up three-deep along the walls. Rooker, IronE, Reedus, Madison, and Chandler fed off of the energy coming from eager fans and gave them a lot of insight into the show. That was after Rooker hosted an impromptu fight demo backstage, teaching us how to use our elbows for defense and attack. See guys, we never stop learning new things to keep you all safe during the Zombiepocalypse.
Our Saturday ended with hula-hoops, terrifying folks in elevators, and exhaustion nipping at our heels, but it was worth it to see so many smiling faces during the day.
I like to imagine Sunday mornings at all cons are what would happen if someone yanked the rings out of a circus in the middle of all the nifty animal tricks. Tigers, elephants, and zebras run amok in a mass of confusion. Inevitably one or two get lost in the panicked crowd. Yeah, you guessed it. We managed to “misplace” some of the commanders. No, they weren’t hiding in the coffee shop on the lobby floor. They were recovered later in the day with no explanation, nor recollection about where they’d been. Possible UGA interference? I think so. This served as a stark reminder that while things have been quiet, never drop your guard.
Parting from our fellow ZSC commanders is never easy, but we made sure everyone arrived safely to their various modes of transport to [classified locations].
We would like to extend a huge amount of gratitude to the folks running Texas Frightmare Weekend and their staff, who worked tirelessly to make sure we had everything we needed. Special thanks to Nic and James (Cowboy) for being by our sides the entire weekend without running scared. And of course, our last thank you goes to the ZSC brigadiers and potential recruits that we saw over the weekend. You were all so wonderful. We can’t wait to visit Dallas again.
Our next Zombie Survival Crew event is Spooky Empire’s May-Hem May 25th – 27th in Orlando, FL.
Bonus! I asked a few people what is in their go bag. Nic, one of our volunteers, told me what his wife, Kim, wanted in hers. It made me laugh so hard, I just had to add it to the con rundown.
Vampires, werewolves and aliens… oh my! From a very young age, First Lieutenant Jim Parrack’s admiration for screen legends Robert Duvall and James Dean was a sure sign of what was to come, but it may in fact have been his self-admitted fascination with vampires that started him on a path that was destined to lead him to ZSC leadership. Experience dealing with the undead is always a plus, but add to that solid weapons training (perhaps meant to battle aliens over Los Angeles), and you have exactly what ZSC recruiters look for when scoping out new members.
The handsome young man from Allen, Texas decided to put down the golf clubs (even though they work just fine for taking down a zombie) and pursue acting as a teenager. Jim first stepped onto the stage at Keith and Margo’s Murder Mystery Dinner Theater in Dallas, and not long after had moved to Los Angeles where he studied at The Stella Adler Academy and Playhouse West.
“I was obnoxiously into vampires. There are still a few folks who are certain I am one.”
Before landing a starring role as Hoyt Fortenberry in HBO’s hit series True Blood, Jim appeared in Battle: Los Angeles with Red Brigade 1st Lieutenant Neil Brown, Jr. He has also appeared in numerous television series, including Alcatraz, Supernatural, Criminal Minds, NCIS and Grey’s Anatomy to name just a few. Jim also wrote and directed the film Post, produced by his own film production company 120 Productions.
Jim is currently filming Black Dog, Red Dog alongside close friend James Franco and co-stars Whoopi Goldberg, Olivia Wilde and Chloe Sevigny. Be sure to also look for him in the upcoming films Child of God, and The Audition.
Recently, Jim took the “It Gets Better,” pledge in conjunction with The Trevor Project, a nationwide crisis intervention and suicide prevention network.
________________________________________________________________ So what have the other ZSC commanders been up to?
Green Brigade’s 2nd Lieutenant Casper Van Dien may not have as much experience battling the undead as those previously mentioned, but he brings to the Zombie Survival Crew skills and strengths that make him the perfect candidate for Z-pocalypse leadership. Okay, so those weren’t zombies we saw him battling alongside friends and influential high school teachers. They were bugs. Big bugs. Big fast bugs. Big, fast deadly, angry extraterrestrial badass bugs. They’re hard to kill, but you only have to do it once. Nobody ever said “the only good zombie is a dead zombie,” not only because it’s a brain-numbingly dumb thing to say, but because it just doesn’t have the same ring to it. Few others understand the importance of perfecting the patented flip six three hole, and even fewer can say they have traveled as far and walked as many roads as this seasoned actor, writer and producer.
Coming from a strong military background, Casper Van Dien was raised in New Jersey, on a street named after his great-great-grandfather … you guessed it…. Van Dien Avenue. After moving to Florida, he attended Admiral Farragut Academy where he graduated as Operations Officer, obviously setting the stage for the future and preparing for what lies ahead. While waiting for the zombie apocalypse to begin, Casper moved to Los Angeles and landed many TV roles, including television commercials and roles in Beverly Hills 90210 and One Life to Live before stepping onto the bigger screen.Soon afterwards, he landed the lead role in James Dean: Race with Destiny before jumping into the part that even now remains one of the most recognizable to science fiction fandom, Johnny Rico in the ultra-violent action adventure,Starship Troopers.
Many films and television appearances later, he appeared in Tim Burton’s Sleepy Hollow, earning himself a small taste of dealing with the undead. Casper also became the 20th on-screen Lord of the Jungle when he took the starring role in Warner Brothers’ Tarzan and the Lost City. More recently, he’s appeared in the TV series Monk and Watch Over Me, and in 2008 he reprised his role as Johnny Rico in Starship Troopers 3: Marauder. Coming soon for Casper is the TV movie Fugitive at 17, the thriller Assumed Memories, and appearing as himself in noobz.
Whoever said nice guys always finish last clearly has never met Orange Brigade’s First Lieutenant David Della Rocco. Loyalty, generosity and compassion are words one might use to describe him. A winning smile and soft-spoken nature are enough to win over even the most critical… but one also cannot deny that a certain amount of mystery surrounds him, leading the imagination to fill in the rest.
David (aka “Rocco”) is an Italian-American comedian and classically trained actor. Hailing from Norwich, Connecticut, he currently resides in Los Angeles alongside many other ZSC commanders, further ensuring the safety of our Western shores in the dark days to come. Best known for his breakout role as the beloved Funny Man Rocco in the Boondock Saints series, David is a member of the Actor’s Studio, and also an accomplished stage veteran who has appeared in numerous performances, including Glengarry Glen Ross at the Third Street Theatre and Freedom Frogs at the Lee Strasberg Theatre. Rocco has also appeared in Jake’s Corner and the critically acclaimed documentary film Off the Boulevard.
"Every time we have a function and there’s fans around I just really, really enjoy it. I’ll sign autographs and take pictures until my arm falls off. We have really, really great fans and I love them all."
It is a little known fact that Rocco is also a master of disguise, a talent that longtime childhood friend Troy Duffy made use of in 1990’s cult hit The Boondock Saints. The role of the Funny Man was written specifically for him, but this opportunity also allowed him to form early connections with future ZSC Commanders Norman Reedus and Sean Patrick Flanery. Another small piece of trivia was revealed during his recent attendance at Blood on the Beach – his preference for the classic architecture of the standard door system over that of the modern convenience of the revolving door.
Look for David Della Rocco in the upcoming film The Black Dove. He will also be appearing at Texas Frightmare Weekend next month, as well as Wizard World events in Philadelphia and Chicago this summer.
With years of experience playing, directing and battling against any and all manner of all dead, undead or just mostly dead behind him, Light Blue Brigade’s First Lieutenant Ted Raimi already has the single most important weapon to survive the pending Z-pocalypse – expertise. Situated in an undisclosed location somewhere near Los Angeles alongside Commander Anthony Guajardo, Smith & Wesson in one hand and cattle prod in the other, Raimi brings that expertise to the front lines, and ensures that the western coast is well protected and prepared.
Ted Raimi first arrived on the screen in 1981, appearing in the now infamous and wonderfully nauseating Evil Dead, where he got an early taste (excuse me) for dealing with… well… evil dead. He went on to appear in many films, including Midnight Meat Train, Drag Me to Hell, and a small but memorable role alongside fellow First Lieutenant Sean Patrick Flanery in Masters of Horror: The Damned Thing. On the smaller screen, we’ve seen him in episodes of Supernatural, Code Monkeys, Legend of the Seeker, Xena: Warrior Princess, and Your Dungeon, My Dragon.
After very extensive investigations, this reporter has uncovered what may be an awkward and uncomfortable truth about First Lt Raimi’s true intentions. It seems he has in the past connected with the Zombie Rights Campaign, a fringe operation devoted to supporting the rights of the mindless creatures that may replace us at the top of the food chain in the very near future. It is this reporter’s opinion that such a group could only be a cover for something much more nefarious, which brings to light the possibility that LT. Raimi’s motives for accepting the role of ZSC leadership may not be what they seem. However, more extensive recon has failed to turn up any further evidence of questionable activities. For now, we will adopt a cautiously optimistic wait-and-watch stance, and trust in Our Fearless Leader’s decision to bring him in without question. He is Ted Raimi after all. When it comes right down to it, he’ll be right there with us on the second rung from the top of the food chain on Z-Day.
Be sure to keep an eye out for Mr. Raimi’s future endeavors, including Attack of the 50 Foot Cheerleader in 2012. In 2013 we’re expecting to see Mr. Raimi in Oz The Great and Powerful, a prequel to The Wizard of Oz which will (unfortunately) probably not have any zombie story lines. We’re also keeping a watchful eye on High Midnight, which is currently in production.
Every so often your commanders spot someone that we feel absolutely, positively must be a part of the Zombie Survival Crew. And sometimes potential scouts just so happen to be completely fictional, much to our disappointment.
We put together a list of television and movie characters that receive honorable mentions from the ZSC command. Think of it as our wish list if the world turned inside out and fiction became reality.
Here they are (in no particular order…)
Admiral William Adama – Battlestar Galatica (2004-2009)
In one of the early episodes of Battlestar Galatica, Adama beat a Cylon to death with nothing more than a flashlight and his fists. Imagine the sort of damage he could do to the undead when properly armed. On top of that, he’s a pro at battle strategy, always valuable when staging an assault on an enemy as vast as ours.
Khal Drogo – Game of Thrones (2011- present)
We only saw the fierce Drogo engage in one fight on-screen, but it made a very permanent impression when he ripped his opponent’s tongue out…through his esophagus. Sometimes raw power and skill with a blade are all you need to catch our attention. He also gives excellent motivational speeches…if you speak Dothraki.
There is one moment that really sticks in our minds as far as Zoë is concerned. During a flashback in the Firefly episode “The Message”, they show a moment from the middle of the war. A fellow soldier is pinned down, panicking, and about to get a led injection. She walks in and calmly, coolly, cuts the throat of the enemy. Not much makes her panic. She is always levelheaded and thinks quickly to stay two steps ahead of anyone coming after her and the people she’s sworn to protect.
Han Solo – Star Wars Episodes 4-6
Who better to be our getaway driver than one of the galaxy’s best pilots? Okay, so he isn’t from this galaxy, but lets pretend here, folks. If he can make the Millennium Falcon move her tail feather, we have every faith that he can haul us out of the fire in a fully stocked and armored bus.
Legolas – The Lord of the Rings trilogy
Okay, you’ve caught on. We’re seriously not opposed to eye candy. But said eye candy must be a functional member of the crew. Legolas proved again and again in the films that he not only looks good staring off into the distance, but is also an excellent shot with a bow and knows his way around a blade as well as any of our commanders.
Hermione Granger – The Harry Potter series
Hermione is a character that, at first glance, doesn’t seem fit for survival in the Zombiepocalypse. However, dig a little deeper and one quickly realizes how necessary she really is. She’d be handy with a spell to save our collective backsides, and is steadfast—a friend you know without question will stay by your side until the end. She is highly intelligent and thinks outside the box, even when stressful situations nip at her heels.
Katniss Everdeen – The Hunger Games (2012)
This is the epitome of a survivor—tough, capable, adapts to the world around her, and yet Katniss remains loving and loyal no matter what life throws her way. Not only that, but she isn’t afraid to stand on her own without looking to male assistance to get tough jobs done.
Allison Dubios – Medium (2005 – 2011)
A little psychic help for the ZSC? You bet your Aunt Fanny we’ll take assistance from the great beyond if it’ll alert us to zombie invasions before they happen! Alison can pair up with LK and her flux capacitor to give us plenty of forewarning about attacks.
Hellboy – Hellboy (2004)
We have here a man that really doesn’t need a weapon to dispatch zombies. One swing of his fist and there’d be rotting brains splattered everywhere. If Hellboy doesn’t want a hands-on approach, he does have an awfully impressive arsenal of weapons at his disposal. You think he’ll let us borrow a couple of them? Promise to give them back…
Selene – Underworld (2003)
Selene may have something going with her uniform of head-to-toe black vinyl. Not only does it look nice, but offers a little protection from teeth and possible infection from contact with fluids from zombie blood. Bet cleanup for the suit is a breeze, too. On top of her functional wardrobe, Selene is a slayer through-and-through. She utilizes her environment to track and contain her prey before moving in for a quick, humane kill.
Now it’s your turn. Which fictional characters from television and film do you think would make excellent additions to the Zombie Survival Crew? Tell us in the comments below.
By reading this message, you have granted Purple Brigade’s First Lieutenant Anthony Michael Hall temporary control of your mind.
Brains or brawn? Which would you choose? In survival situations, brawn may often win. The importance in being able to physically survive unexpected encounters with the undead can’t be understated… but neither can the ability to think and take intelligent, decisive action.
While First Lt. Hall has not yet been tested against the true horror of the endless shambling horde, this Boston native is surely as well-equipped as any of us to not only just survive, but to stand firm with the other Commanders and loyalists when the time comes. Working from an undisclosed location, Anthony’s movements are unpredictable and undetectable to the always present but rarely seen Unidentified Government Agency (UGA), making him an invaluable asset to the more covert operations within the ZSC. But even the most covert of operatives must eventually resurface.
Anthony recently made an appearance at Monster Mania 21 in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, where he was temporarily detained by one such UGA while attempting to secure top secret documentation for an upcoming international operation. In what surely could have developed into a truly perilous situation, he remained calm, put those cerebral talents to good use and slipped free from the grip of danger to arrive unscathed and smiling at MM21.
Anthony Michael Hall is perhaps most well-known for his role as the beloved Brian Johnson in John Hughes’ The Breakfast Club. An original member of the infamous Brat Pack in the 1980’s, he has taken on several television roles in addition to films, most notably the successful television adaptation of Stephen King’s The Dead Zone. He has also recently appeared in the popular television series Warehouse 13 and Community, and worked on the films Sexy Evil Genius and Cottonwood. Our undercover intel operatives have reported that Anthony is currently filming Dead in Tombstone, starring opposite veteran actors Danny Trejo and Micky Rourke.
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Known to most for his starring roles in the television series Young Indiana Jones and runaway cult classic film Boondock Saints, Yellow Brigade’s first Lieutenant Sean Patrick Flanery brings to the table a wide variety of talents and experience in matters of survival; Actor, director, writer, martial artist, patriot, purveyor of simple honesty and common sense, and – perhaps most importantly – future presidential candidate. Despite his ongoing struggles with a powerful Reese’s addiction, Flanery is without a doubt the most suited for the daunting task of leadership, and defending our western shores and if and when it all starts to hit the fan.
Believe it or not, you are not entitled to anything. If you find yourself saying “I should have A, B, and C, because I’ve done X, Y, and Z” stop immediately and slap yourself in the face. The world doesn’t owe you something just because you feel that you’ve met some arbitrary criteria that you yourself invented. – Sean Patrick Flanery
Born in Lake Charles, Louisiana and raised in Sugar Land, Texas, Flanery began training in various forms of martial arts at a young age, taking part in his first full-contact kickboxing match at the age of 12. He continued his training while attending the University of Saint Thomas in Houston, but then one fateful day he followed a girl to a drama class and was immediately bitten by the acting bug. Later he moved to Los Angeles and waited tables for a living, before long appearing in television commercials and quickly making the transition to TV roles and onto movies. Flanery has an impressive filmography to boast, and remains today one of the hardest-working actors in the business.
When not working on various projects, including film, television and music videos, Flanery can be found training and teaching the finer points of BJJ to his fellow Los Angelians, attending comic-con events and appearances all over the country, online blogging, interacting with fans on various social networking sites, shopping for frozen pizza or spending quality time with Donut – his most loyal friend, sidekick and quite possibly the coolest canine on the planet. He has taken part in the international USO tour and traveled to the Middle East with fellow Boondock Saints alumni Troy Duffy, Norman Reedus and Brian Mahoney.
Sean Patrick Flanery and Blue Brigade Commander Norman Reedus showing their preparedness for the upcoming Z-pocalypse
Flanery is currently working on the film Dark Power, and will be appearing at Frank Strickland in the TV series Blackout. Be sure to also keep an eye out for the films Scavengers, Phantom, and The Devil’s Carnival.
____________________________________________ Don’t forget to check out our other Fearless Leaders!
Actor, director, writer, motivational speaker and singer…. Green brigade’s commander IronE Singleton brings to the table an invaluable combination of strength, determination and passion possessed by some but unmatched by none. IronE hails from Atlanta, Georgia and has already faced the shambling horde, looked it right in the eye and refused to give up the good fight for even a moment. Outgoing, gregarious and quick to smile, Irone’s laughter is more infectious than any zombie plague and his endless determination is a shining example to all.
IronE recently got his feet wet in the convention scene by attending Monster Mania 21 in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. While a seemingly endless horde of adoring fans and admirers might have caused some to tremble in abject fear, IronE faced them all with his trademark disarming smile and made each one feel as welcome as if they were stepping into his home rather than standing in line at a noisy, crowded convention.
IronE’s many varied talents have taken him from the University of Georgia to television, theatre and film. He has appeared on the big screen in several films, including The Blind Side, Lottery Ticket, Seeking Justice. And the upcoming film A Box For Rob. Television appearances include pilots for ABC’s Detroit 1-8-7, VH1’s Single Ladies, and TNT’s Franklin & Bash, and he has also appeared in CW’s One Tree Hill and BET’s Somebodies… but most notably he is the one and only Theodore Douglas, a.k.a. T-Dog on AMC’s The Walking Dead. On the theatre side, be sure to check out his inspiring one-man show: IronE . . . The Resurrected. This inspiring story of survival, heartbreak, transformation and healing is a must-see for all.
Under IronE’s experienced leadership, Green Brigade is best equipped to keep up the morale as the battle for survival wages on and we would surely find ourselves in one fine mess without him.
Keeper of secrets, slayer of demons, romancer of vampires, destroyer of zombies and things that go bump in the night, Orange Brigade Commander RC Murphy is as gifted with the pen as she is with the sword, and twice as deadly. An accomplished writer, blogger, student of history, musical theatre and Oreo aficionado, RC Murphy is a creature of extraordinary talent.
"Puppy breath makes the world a better place."
She resides in a dungeon of red satin and lace by day, putting her talents to work in order to best prepare us, the hapless and clueless, for that fateful day when all that goes bump in the night becomes reality. By night she patrols the California coast with a sharp eye on the perimeter and an ear tuned into the undercurrents, listening, watching, and waiting for even the smallest sign that the Z-pocalypse is upon us.
This coming April, RC Murphy will be attending the San Jose Fantasy Festival for book signings and sales alongside other fantasy and paranormal writers, artists and performers April 14th and 15th.
RC Murphy and our Commander in Chief Juliette Terzieff enjoying a rare moment of calm, just before the onslaught begins.
Every so often your commanders spot someone that we feel absolutely, positively must be a part of the Zombie Survival Crew. And sometimes potential scouts just so happen to be completely fictional, much to our disappointment.
