Review: Modern Zombies by Mega Miniatures
This is the pack that started it all for me. I was casting about looking for zombie minis for my then-upcoming run of the Zombie Run adventure for Pinnacle’s Savage Worlds RPG. I happened to see somebody selling a pack of twenty zombies on eBay for something under twenty bucks including shipping. “What the heck,” I thought. “For this kind of money how good do they have to be?” I clicked “Buy it now” and the deal was done.
A few days later they were on my doorstep. My initial impressions were not promising. They looked awfully short next to the Hasslefree and West Wind minis I was planning to use as zombie hunters, and the detail, especially in the faces, was a long way away from what I’d come to expect. I began to wonder if I’d made a mistake.
All that changed when I got them on the workbench. They required only the most minor cleanup, vastly exceeding my expectations for such inexpensive minis. The sculptor’s grasp of human (zombie) anatomy also impressed me. The bulgy heads and oversized hands that plague much higher-end figs were almost entirely absent. I’m looking as you, Miss Minis.
The zombies cover a nice spread of former occupations, from farmer to cop to schoolgirl and so on, and most are still clutching a possession or implement they used in life. I was especially glad to see three children, as child zombies are especially creepy. This variety in character and poses make for a much more diverse horde on the tabletop, which is rightly prized among most zombie enthusiasts.
In fact that variety is so strong here that it deserves some more attention. Too many packs of zombies out there consist of variations of the same couple of archetypes. Look out! Here comes Business Suit Guy followed by Slightly Different Business Suit Guy followed by Business Suit Guy with One Are, etc. Mega Minis really deserves credit for going way beyond this with unique contributions like an old guy with a cane snacking on a brain and a crafty little girl zombie hiding a trowel behind her back. This kind of character “writing” really makes a big difference in how the final minis stand out on a crowded tabletop.
The overall level of detail is what I would describe as “basic.” The figure’s clothes are nicely sculpted, as are most of their props with the minor exception of the cop’s nightclub, which is much too short and rounded and bears an unfortunate resemblance to an adult toy if you get my drift. The faces are a little doughy and indistinct for my taste. It’s tough to have much expression on a fig when there’s often little more than a couple of eye dents and the suggestion of a nose and mouth.
Still, the limited detail isn’t a big problem given that zombie are customarily fielded in large groups. It does mean that these minis paint up very quickly. I finished all twenty in two or three sessions of a couple of hours each, including the bases. That’s a pretty breakneck pace for me, and I’m still fairly pleased with the results. They were the first minis I’d painted after a long hiatus, and if I had it to do over again I would definitely do a better job, especially on the ink job, but I seem to be the only one who notices. For a less self-critical painter the upshot is that your can get these guys off your workbench and into action in a snap.
Probably my biggest gripe about these minis is about the tiny cast bases. Like most of their ilk, they are far too small to support the mins, causing many of them to fall over the instant the game table takes the slightest bump. I solved this problem by use of GF9s excellent Econo Bases, but prospective purchasers should be aware of the need for some kind of basing solution to make these figs really usable. Unfortunately, I painted these minis some time before the idea for the site came along, so all the pics have them already mounted on landscaped bases.
Overall, I liked these little zombies a heck of a lot more than I thought I would. They come at a bargain price, and while they’re never going to live up to the likes of Studio Miniatures or Griffon they certainly are nothing you’ll be ashamed of putting on your tabletop. I would have to rank this pack as the best group of zombie “extras” I’ve yet seen.
Pros: Inexpensive, Lots of personality, Good pose variety
Cons: Small, Limited detail, Tiny wobblebases
Final Verdict: 3/5
MSRP: $24.99
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