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Becoming a Halloween Monster: Zombie/Frankenstein's Monster

 ðŸ§ŸBraaaaains. Halloween is all about death and such, so reanimated corpses of various kinds are easily associated with the holiday. Frankenstein's monster I lump in with zombies because really...they're kind of the same thing, but they differ in execution. So let's see what we can unearth with this. 

Technically an undead plague nurse

What is a Zombie?

Zombies are reanimated corpses with an insatiable appetite for human flesh. If they bite you, you can become one. Generally, they're not very intelligent. Frankenstein's Monster is a crafted reanimated corpse made out of the parts of multiple bodies. 

Tell-Tale Features

  • Decomposing Flesh
  • Stitches and Neck Bolts (for Frankie)
  • Flat Head (Frankie again)

Common Themes

  • Blood
  • Electricity
  • Graves
  • Rotting
  • Brains
  • Corpses
  • General grossness
To be honest, zombies gross me out. I don't like visual representations of them. Yet there have been iterations of reanimated dead that can be more visually appealing. You can go for shock value and gore or as with most Halloween costumes, you can make it alluring. It really is a make-up heavy costume, because these are very human creatures. 

Inspiration References

  • Frankenstein (Book/Old Cinema)
  • Bride of Frankenstein (Old Cinema)
  • Young Frankenstein (Film)
  • Addams Family (Film Series/TV series)
  • The Munsters (TV series)
  • Zombieland (Film)
  • Left4Dead (Video Game)
  • Night of the Living Dead (Film Series)
  • Warm Bodies (Film)
  • Monster High (Web Series/Toys)
  • Shawn of the Dead (Film)
  • Resident Evil Series (Video Game)
  • Dead Rising (Video Game)
  • Lollipop Chainsaw (Video game)
  • Project Z (Book/Film)
  • Hotel Transylvania (Film Series)
  • Corpse Bride (Film)

Where to Start

I think sorting out the what level of gross or gore you want to go with early on is best for this costume. You can find plenty of kits for fake injuries, body horror, and blood. Perhaps consider what the "cause of death" for your zombie. As for Frankenstein, there are some kits too, but the challenge comes from figuring out the flat head situation or neck bolts. 

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