Review of Zombie Head Cookie Jar

Introduction

I've always loved zombies. I know you have too. With a ton of collectible products out there and with a show like the Walking Dead garnering a Golden Globe nomination (and hopefully an Emmy nod later this year), it seems that the rest of the world is finally catching up with our obsession and recognizing the shuffling, rotting living dead for the fun they can be.

The guys over at Symbiote Studios produce some truly unique items for various companies, and sometimes they're great, and sometimes...well, we all get to make a mistake once in awhile. Either way, they're always unique.

They've produced a zombie head cookie jar for the website/store ThinkGeek, just right for Halloween parties or maybe just to scare the kids away from your stash. It runs $40 at the ThinkGeek site, and is available now.

Packaging - ***
The box is a little flimsy - the top tore on mine a bit too easily - but the interior foam is a reasonable medium density and the cookie jar is well packed. The exterior graphics mimic the style of the item, and I love the wrap around appearance.

This is not a limited edition, or at least not one that's being advertised - let's be honest, everything is 'limited'. And I'm betting that while there's no number on the box or bottom of the cookie jar that these were produced in smaller numbers than some other highly marketed 'limited' editions out there these days.

Sculpting - ***
If you were looking for a life-like representation of a zombie's head, then this is going to be a huge disappointment. That's not what this is, it's not what it was designed to be, and you shouldn't fault it for not being what the average high end bust or statue collect might want. This is a cookie jar designed like other cookie jars, something that the average cookie jar collector would recognize and appreciate immediately - but which the more hardcore may find less appealing.

This cookie jar is very similar in style to others in this ilk. He fits in well with your rooster and your Jabba the Hutt. This type of cookie jar is a glazed ceramic, hand painted in a country store style. In fact, if this wasn't a zombie, you'd probably find him for sale at your local Cracker Barrel.

The design is fairly basic, and the various textured details are not deeply cut. The exposed brain is clearly identifiable, and there are some bumps of pinkish flesh on the lower face and head. The hair is broad and thick, with one small tuft on top designed to be used as a tiny handle.

He's been given a fairly standard zombie expression, with the eyes out of control and the mouth agape. This poor guy has been severed at the jaw line, which allows the bottom to be nice and flat.

This jar is huge as well - larger than life. I have a big head, and this thing is bigger than mine. It's going to hold a lot of cookies or treats, perfect for your big Halloween party.

And while it might seem to be somewhat disturbing to eat out of a zombie's head, it's certainly less so than pulling your cookie out of a cat's ass.

Paint - ***
These are hand painted, as advertised. Brush stokes? Yep, especially with the greenish, sickly skin. Rough edges and wavy cut lines? Of course - that's part of the charm. Again, this guy looks much like the quality and style of most cookie jars - it's the standard country design. If you're looking for uber-realism, go for the Sideshow busts. But if you want a fun zombie item to serve treats, this is it.

Value - **1/2
Ceramic cookie jars tend to run in the $30 - $40 range, depending on the size and complexity. This is one huge cookie jar, and you'll fit a lot of goodies inside. Considering the size and the rather, shall we say, specialized theme, the $40 price tag is not surprising. Thus, I'm giving it my average score, which means the price ends up having no effect up or down on my final verdict.

Things to Watch Out For -
This is a ceramic cookie jar, and as such is easy to chip or break if you're not appropriately cautious. That issue is a bit exacerbated by the dinky tuft of hair you'll be using to open it.

Overall - ***
I had a Walking Dead premiere party at my house on Halloween night, and I really wish I'd had this then. I think it's perfect for a monster party atmosphere, and certainly holds enough treats for it.

The design isn't random or accidental - it looks goofy and silly very much on purpose. As I said, it follows the usual look of most collectible cookie jars, not a perfectly lifelike statue. The glazed ceramic with the wildly over the top paint work is appropriate for this style.

That doesn't mean it's going to be everyone's jar of cookies, but if you're looking for something fun and silly for your next zombie social, this just might be the ticket. 

Here's an interesting idea as well - I have a Jello mold for the top half of a human brain. I'm thinking that for my next party, I make a half brain, and put something inside to hold it up at the proper spot so it appears like it's this poor guy's exposed flesh. That's even better than cookies!

Score Recap (out of ****):
Packaging - ***
Sculpting - ***
Paint - ***
Value - **1/2
Overall - ***

Where to Buy 
You can pick this guy up at Symbiote Studios direct, or at ThinkGeek, where he's in stock and $40 right now.

Related Links -
Looking for more zombies? Try these - 

- Amok Time did the Night of the Living Dead zombie in sixth scale.

- Peril Unlimited has done a few, including Betty the cheerleader, and their army builder Ash.

- and don't forget Sideshow's line of The Dead, including the security guard and the priest.

- odd ball sixth scale zombies include the figures from the Dust series.

- for smaller figures, there's the GITD Flesh Eating Zombies, Shaun of the Dead 2 pack, the Cult Classics 3 Flyboy Zombie from Night of the Living Dead, Earl, from Mezco's line Attack of the Living Dead, the Marvel Legends monster boxed set that included the zombie from Tales of the Zombie, and the Land of the Dead figures.

You should also hit the Search Reviews page, in case any other applicable reviews were done after this one was published.

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