Braaaaiins…

I am not generally a fan of horror.  Not horror movies or books or stories or comics…I just don’t get a thrill from being scared.  (Plus, I’m a jumper.  That lame moment when everyone knows the killer is about to jump out and scare the babysitter…I’m the lame-o that jumps anyway.)

But I love me a good zombie movie.

Not the classic stuff, mind you.  Every zombie movie aficionado out there would likely consider me a low-brow heretic.  But I love the direction the zombie movie has taken of late.  The latest incarnation of Dawn of the Dead remains one of the most watched DVDs in my collection (after my daughter’s collection, my Firefly set, and Clerks — tied with Hot Fuzz and From Dusk Till Dawn…another of my rare horror favorites).  Shaun of the Dead is another, mostly for the incomparable wit of Simon Pegg and his pals.  I particularly enjoy the irreverence of these recent zombie flicks.  And running zombies are so much scarier than moseying zombies.

Today I went to see Zombieland.  Brilliant.  The young main character reminded me of Michael Cera (Arrested Development, Juno, Superbad) in all the best ways.  Woody Harrelson was inspired casting and did a great job (as usual).  The love interest (Emma Stone) was a smokin hottie in a goth-tough disguise.  Even the kid was pretty good.  And the cameo actor (don’t want to spoil it for you if you don’t know) was brilliant from both the writing and acting sides.

But the movie itself outshone the acting.  In a world of zombies, a survivor must have a list of rules that got them as far as they’ve made it.  The main character’s rules take center stage and keep popping up in ways that warm my writer’s heart.  It reminded me of Douglas Adams if anyone.  Wit and plot sewn nicely together in an almost credible package.

So I am inspired.  I want to write a comedic zombie story.  Alas, I have read very few zombie stories in my time and do not desire to reinvent the wheel.  I want my own perverse twist that hasn’t been done to death.  I have an idea or two.  If anyone can recommend a good, funny zombie novel or story, I’d appreciate it.

It will be tough to go my own way with so established a trope as zombies, especially considering what a fan I am of the current trend.  I’ll probably have to plan for a few weeks, even months, befor find my place on this particular wave.  But that’s part of the fun, isn’t it?

-Oso