Better Dead Than Red?

Tom Whalen's contribution to Zombie Bomb, an anthology "featuring over 200 writers & artists joining forces to bring you the baddest bunch of zombie stories ever assembled."

Previously on Popped Culture...
Zombies Of Fortune
Know Your Zombies
In Case Of Zombies

Great Movie Showdowns II

Six more classic movie showdowns from Scott Campbell. These ones go up to 11.

Previously on Popped Culture...
Great Movie Showdowns
I Know Photoshop
Medieval Fight Club

Lost Alternate Time Suck Theory

Seems some people are still quite pissed about how Lost ended. I'm not one of them, but I have to admit that a "magical glowing underground hole" was not on my list of possible endings. (Link via Lunchbreath)

Previously on Popped Culture...
Unanswered Lost Questions
They're After Me Losty Charms!
Lost: If It Weren't For Those Meddling Castaways...

Duck Hunt Behind-the-Scenes

There's a reason Duck Hunt could be so frustrating. It's trying to be. (College Humor via Neatogeek)

Previously on Popped Culture...
Duck Hunter S. Thompson
Nintendo Skull and Crossbones
Space Invaders Make Good Eatin'

Zombies Of Fortune

"In 1972 a crack commando unit was executed by a military court for a crime they didn’t commit. These men promptly came back to life in a Los Angeles burial ground. Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as zombies of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you don’t mind having your brains eaten, maybe you can hire the Z-Team."

(The Z-Team by curua at RedBubble via shirtoid)

Previously at Popped Culture...
League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: 1988 
The Last Sucker
Mr. T Party

Arnold's Other Catchphrase On Diff'rent Strokes

In memory of Gary Coleman. (Link via Medium Large)

Previously on Popped Culture...
Now We'll Never Know What Willis Was Talkin' About...
Whatchoo talkin' 'bout, Willis?
Michael Jackson: Engulfed In Fame

Snortin' Whiskey & Drinkin Cocaine

I don't even know where to start with this one. Another jam-packed painting from Dave MacDowell that you need to go to his flickr page to see all the details.

Previously on Popped Culture...
Lord Of The Onion Rings
Breakfast Hawks
Oompa LoomPacino

Unanswered Lost Questions

"A quick retrospective on some of the teeny-tiny loose ends yet to be tied up or, if you didn't watch the show, the rantings of a lunatic."

I had told myself that Lost had only left a few big questions unanswered in the finale and that it was necessary to complete the story. Watching this shows the entire show is built on unanswered questions. Still, I don't care. It's funny too. (College Humor via Nik at Nite.)

Previously on Popped Culture...
Lost, Re-enacted By Cats
Loved And Lost
Lost's Last Supper 

Now We'll Never Know What Willis Was Talkin' About...

RIP Gary Coleman. Early fame is a bitch.

Previously on Popped Culture...
Whatchoo talkin' 'bout, Willis?
Michael Jackson: Engulfed In Fame
Celebrities Of The Living Dead

In Soviet Russia, Tetris Builds You!

Building blocks for a better tomorrow! Blocks Build You by Jeweling. (Link via shirt.woot)

Previously on Popped Culture...
Communist Mariofesto
Loose Lips Bring Down Starships
Popaganda: The Pop Culture Revolution

Sam The Eagle: American Woman

Just the thought of The Muppets singing karaoke makes me happy.

Previously on Popped Culture...
It's Time To Put On Makeup, It's Time To Dress Up Right
The Heckler Causality Loop
Muppets Last Supper

God Is Science?

Resurrection isn't all it's made out to be. God is Science by Augie Pagan.

Previously on Popped Culture...
Reanimated Homer And Marge
Beast Of Pop Culture Revelation
I Pity The Fool

Psycho Recreated By Puppets

The Bates Motel gets a visit by Amanda Leslie, played by Gay Carrington a "former Studio System star, unceremoniously dumped and trying to make a comeback." I don't pretend to understand it, but I love the recreation of the shower scene and marionette violence.

Previously on Popped Culture...
All Right Mr. Groening, I'm Ready For My Close-Up
The Friendly Giant Has Left the Building
Brought to You By the Letters F And U

The Birth Of Robot Punk

Gunadam calling, now don't look to us
Phoney Animenia has bitten the dust

Marvel at this shirt, Gundam Calling and it mashup of The Clash. Then go to Boing Boing and read all the things wrong about it. (Makers Market via Fashionably Geek)

Previously on Popped Culture...
Princess Robot Bubblegum
Matthew, Mark, Luke and Optimus Prime
I Know We'll Catch That Villain

The Origin Of Casper

Well, at least he looks much happier. (Link via Chip Zdarsky)

Previously on Popped Culture...
Casper the Disturbingly-Friendly Ghost
Private Eyes, They're Watching You...
Loved And Lost

Down The Rabbit Hole

This was the inspiration Lewis Carroll had for Alice in Wonderland, with a few minor changes. (Link via See Mike Draw)

Previously on Popped Culture...
Through The Remixed Looking Glass
Alice In Zombieland
Crime Lords of Oz

Frakkin' Smurfs

Pop artist Derek Chatwood explains Iran with Smurfs and Cylons:

"While it is inspirational to see the smurfs organized, and with one voice denouncing the brutal dictatorship that they now realize they live under, it is also ultimately futile. The cylons are much more powerful, and have blasters and laser cannons."

Read the full explanation here.

Previously on Popped Culture...
The Last Smurf
Beastie Boys Galactica
The Rainbow Vomiting Pandas Of Interestingness

Mona Lisa Wants To Rock And Roll All Night

Finally we know why Mona Lisa has been smirking all these years. The tattoos are a nice touch. (Renaissance Rocks by Enkel Dika)

Previously on Popped Culture...
The World Through Michael Bay's Eyes 
Stormtrooper Army

Suddenly Last Supper

Inappropriate Little Golden Books

Josh Cooley, a story artist at Pixar (as if that wasn't cool enough), draws scenes from the classic children's series Little Golden Books using some very age-innapropriate movies, like Silence of the Lambs above. (Link via Super Punch)

Se7en

The Professional

Terminator 2

Previously on Popped Culture...
Goodnight Keith Moon
Curious George Learns A Hard Lesson About Desire
Shel Silverstein's American History X

Sesame Street Fighter II

It's nice to see Bert and Ernie find a constructive outlet for their clearly repressed anger. (Sesame Street Fighter by Matt Crane, via The Daily What)

Previously on Popped Culture...
Sesame Street Fighter
The Bert Locker
Bert & Ernie & Picasso

From The Recession WIth Love

Times are tough at MI6 and even the world's greatest spy has to cut back. (Link via Culture kills...)

Previously on Popped Culture...
Bond vs Bond vs Bond vs Bond vs Bond vs Bond
Bunny. James Bunny. 
Supervillain Super Bailout 

The Lost Finale Drinking Game

Show's about to start! Hope you've got plenty of booze if you're going to play this — and you might as well call in sick tomorrow, unless you're Canadian of course. (Link and instructions via Holy Taco)

Previously on Popped Culture...
Lost's Last Supper
Ab Aeterno
Only You Can Prevent Evil

They're After Me Losty Charms!

I seriously love Lost, but I would be thrilled if this is what was in the cave at the centre of the island. Lucky the Leprechaun seem as plausible as whatever the light turns out to be. (Andy Updates via Super Punch)

Previously on Popped Culture...
Dharmabusters
The Losties
Jack & Kate Plus 8

Lost Tiki

It's the series finale of Lost, so I'm having a last go at some of the great fan and artist created Lost tributes and parodies today. Outside of The Simpsons, I can't think of another show that has generated so much devotion.

Dave MacDowell is one of my favourite pop artists but I didn't realize he'd made a piece until I came across Unreality's gallery of fan art.

Previously on Popped Culture...
Will You Be My Constant?
Lost: Explosions! Sex In Cages!
Meanwhile, In The Parallel Lost Universe...

Lost, Re-enacted By Cats

"I'm giving up a respectable career as a spinal surgeon to protect a light from a cloud. Seriously." Meow! (Link via Warming Glow)

Previously on Popped Culture...
Loved and Lost
Lost: If It Weren't For Those Meddling Castaways...
The Secret of Gilligan's Island  

Reanimated Homer And Marge

Wow, I love this! The nuclear plant as a castle is just the crowning touch. Go vote for this now so I can buy it! (Reanimated by buko, via StepheN)

Previously on Popped Culture...
A Day In The Life Of Frank(enstein's Monster)
She Ain't No Human Being
Away In A Monster Mash

Kirk's Nightmare At 20000 Feet

Tom Whalen's take on the classic Twilight Zone episode Nightmare At 20000 Feet for Gallery 1988's Another Dimension, which opened this week. Fabulous stuff.


Previously on Popped Culture...
Twilight Zone: To Serve Man
A Dimension Not Only Of Sight And Sound
Prepare To Enter... The Scary Door

Loved And Lost

Illustrator extraordinaire Steve Murray (aka Chip Zdarsky) drew this massive cast photo of Lost for the series finale. Click through for the flash version to see which season each character was introduced and how they died. For those interested in a full-size version, it is the cover of the arts section of Saturday's National Post, available at finer Canadian newsstands near you.

As for me, I'm going to miss the finale as it is inconveniently scheduled in the middle of a long weekend that is ostensibly in honour of Queen Victoria, but is mostly about going to cottages and drinking beer, which is what I'll be doing.  But for all your Lost needs, head directly to Nik at Nite where Nikki Stafford will take excellent care of you.

Previously on Popped Culture...
Lost: If It Weren't For Those Meddling Castaways...
Lost And Found: Oceanic Flight 815
Lost Tarot Cards

R2DJ Drops Robot Beats

Bidi-bidi-bidi. Warning, warning, danger, danger! Eclectic Method brings their mixing wizardry to our favourite buckets of bolts, including R2-D2 and C-3PO, Twiki, Johnny 5, WALL-E and EVE, Teddy, Robby the Robot, B9 and my personal favourite Marvin the Paranoid Android. Could have used some Bender though. (Link via Neatogeek)

Previously on Popped Culture...
Everybody Be Cool - The Tarantino Mixtape
If He Gets Up, We'll All Get Up. It'll Be Anarchy!
Cultural Funkin Overload

Three Ewok Moon

I thought the whole Three Wolf Moon meme was dead in the water. How wrong I was. But wait, that's no moon! (Moon Over Ewok via FashionablyGeek)

Previously on Popped Culture...
Play This Meme Off, Keyboard Cat
Twilight: Three Wolf Moon
Stake Through The Heart Bear

Home Sweet Taun Taun

"This beautiful winter get-a-way may smell bad, but it will keep you warm. It comes pre-furnished, includes HD cable service, and is only a 4 hour walk from the nearest rebel base camp."

Seems like I'm on a Glen Brogan kick recently, but the man keeps hitting them out of the park. (Home Sweet Tauntaun via Splitreason)

Previously on Popped Culture...
The Living Dead Strike Back
Your Tauntaun Will Freeze, But You Won't
Dukes of Hoth

Twilight Zone: To Serve Man

Carl Lozada take on the classic Twilight Zone episode To Serve Man, for Gallery 1988's Another Dimension. I would love to see this show — come on, bring it to Toronto!

Previously on Popped Culture...
A Dimension Not Only Of Sight And Sound
Prepare To Enter... The Scary Door
Confession of The Collector 

Cereal Monsters

Why are monsters part of so many balanced breakfasts? Why would they care? (Link via Glen Brogan)

Previously on Popped Culture...
And God Created Sugar
Cereal Killer, Qu'est-ce Que C'est?
The Breakfast Cereal Club

A Day In The Life Of Frank(enstein's Monster)

That is one busy monster. I mean I'd be wiped out after just the first two. (A Day In The Life Of Frank by David Soames. Vote, vote, vote.)

Previously on Popped Culture...
The Ultimate Combo
Sideways: The Video Game
Monsters Can't Hold Their Liquor

Lost: The Candidate Cave

With Lost wrapping up, DamonCarltonAndAPolarBear.com is back with more artist representations of the show. I figure I can go a little Lost happy as there will never be this much good stuff about it again. (The Candidate Cave by Guy Burwell)

Previously on Popped Culture...
Desmond! We've Got To Get Back To The Constant!
Ille Qui Nos Omnes Servabit
Lost: If It Weren't For Those Meddling Castaways...

Desmond! We've Got To Get Back To The Constant!

Lost plots travel at a speed of 1.21 jigga-whats! TeeFury brings the funny on the second last day of Lost. (Constant by fftkrazee)

Previously on Popped Culture...
Marty, We've Got To Get Wayback To The Future!
Back To The Ancient Future
Make Like A Tree And Get Outta Here

Disasterlicious

I'd like to look for survivors in a corn chip avalanche. Mmm, corn chips. (Least I Could Do)

Previously on Popped Culture...
The Last Days of Gossip
Fingers Crossed For Flying Cars!
Too Much Pop Culture 

Star Warglyphics

"Luke. You can destroy the Emperor. He has foreseen this. It is your destiny. Join me, and together we can rule the galaxy as father and son. Come with me. It is the only way."

Well, they did say it happened a long time ago. (Star Warglyphics via dann matthews)

Previously on Popped Culture...
Back To The Ancient Future
Two Warriors Come Out Of The Sky
It's Hard Out There For An AT-AT

Kool-Aid Blood Sacrifice

What is it with kids, always revealing in the death of the Kool-Aid Man? But if a blood sacrifice must be made, at least it is tasty one. (Too Cool by Jeff Battocletti via Threadless)

Update: Threadless has printed Smokebuster by Nacho Diaz Arjona (previously featured). Who you gonna call?

Previously on Popped Culture...
Kool-Aid Pop Culture? Oh, Yeah!
Ghostbusters Catch Gozer... Um, Jesus
Lost Tarot Cards

Nintendo Skull and Crossbones

This of course begs the question: Is Mario dead? Can a video game character eventually run out of lives? You would have thought so the way I play. This is available on a tee for just a few bucks, but only for a few more hours. (Original Gamer by dann matthews, via TeeFury)

Previously on Popped Culture...
Mario's Mass Grave
Duck Hunter S. Thompson
Space Invaders Make Good Eatin'

Famous Mustaches

It's amazing how immediately recognizable these mustaches are. I'm also impressed with them seeing as I've never managed much more than a wispy thing. If you don't know who they all are:

Top: Albert Einstein, Rich Uncle Pennybags (Monopoly), Charlie Chaplin
Middle: Mario, Colonel Sanders, Yosemite Sam
Bottom: Hulk Hogan, Pringles Guy, Ron Jeremy

Last chance to vote for Famous Mustaches by Mosquito88. (Link via Shirtoid)

Previously on Popped Culture...
The Trustworthiness Of Beards
The Many Mustaches of Guy Fawkes
J-Stache: Ride the Mustache

Toy Story 3: Inception

There's something about Toy Story that just inspires excellent mashups. Here is a link to the Inception trailer if you need a refresher or hadn't seen it, like me. (Link via Topless Robot)

Previously on Popped Culture...
Toy Story vs...
Inglourious Toyz
Action Movie Flowchart!

King's Quest's Silver Hammer

look sign_
"The sign reads ABBEY ROAD."
take sign_
"You're too far away."
look road_
"You see nothing special."
take road_
"You cannot get the boulder. At least not now!"

I don't know how many hours I spent playing King's Quest or, to a lesser extent, Leisure Suit Larry. On a PCjr no less. I'm old. (Sierra Road by P.J. Rush via The Daily What)

Previously on Popped Culture...
A Day in the Life of Abbey Road
Duck Hunter S. Thompson
Retro Lost

Ille Qui Nos Omnes Servabit

Even with two episodes left I still hold out hope that Locke (or Smoke Locke) will be proven not to be evil. Of course that seems unlikely, but still...

Don't be told what you want
Don't be told what you need
There's no future, no future,
No future for you

If you hold out any faith, there is Locke Honor by Marky of Glamour Kills. And I got to put Latin on my blog. Damn I'm cultured!

Previously on Popped Culture...
She Ain't No Human Being
Only You Can Prevent Evil
Lost's Last Supper

Iraq, Papa, Siskel

They all look like great games but making the hand gestures would just kill my fingers. Interesting fact: All it will take to bring regime change to Iraq is Papa Smurf! (Rock, Paper, Scissors from cartoonist John Martz, via Comic Book Junkie)

Previously on Popped Culture...
Some Throws Are More Equal Than Others
Rock Beats Scissorhands
It's Hard Out There For A Smurf

The Vitruvian Big Bird

These are indeed the ideal proportions of a large, talking, flightless yellow bird. (The Vitruvian Bird by vherrera)

There are a couple dozen other entries in Worth1000's Classic Paintings with Sesame Street Characters photoshop contest.

If there was a way to make Salvador Dali more surreal, adding Elmo is the way to go. (Elmo Awakening by xxlant)

Previously on Popped Culture...
Go Go Vitruvian Inspector Gadget
Sesame Street Fighter
Furry Happy Monsters

Care Bear Carnage

Tenderheart Bear got his name for tenderizing the hearts of his enemies — such as Teddy Ruxpin above — and not from helping his fellow Care Bears be the most caring they can be. (Carebear Carnage via Jude Buffum)

Previously on Popped Culture...
Stake Through The Heart Bear
The Toy Rebellion 
Sideways: The Video Game 

Democracy In Action!

Well, Internet, I hope you're proud, because that Saturday Night Live episode was terrible and while Betty White was game it was a one-note horny old lady disaster. But Gary Coleman on Yo Gabba Gabba? Someone get on that. (Link via Chuck & Beans)

Previously on Popped Culture...
Life Before Google
Whatchoo talkin' 'bout, Willis?
Betty White as Slave Leia Wielding a Flaming Chainsaw While Riding a John Ritter Centaur

That 90's Show

Pop artist Glen Brogan's piece, As Days Go By, for a 90s themed art show for the Autumn Society. Wow, what a strange mix of pop culture: Jessica Rabbit, Earl from Dinosaurs, Space Ghost, Egon from Ghostbusters, Kermit from Muppet Babies, Hulk Hogan, Carl Winslow from Family Matters wearing Darkwing Duck PJs. No idea what is sitting on his butt or the TV, though I'm sure its obvious to others.

Previously on Popped Culture...
Ode To Saturday Mornings
The Fan Fiction Is Out There
Toon City

Zombie Haiku

brains brains brains, brains brains
brains BRAINS brains, brains brains brains. brains
brains. BRAINS BRAINS BRAINS BRAINS.

I finally get haiku and all it took was the undead to explain it for me. (Pic and poetry via from Derek Chatwood)

Previously on Popped Culture...
8 Kilomètres
I Think I Can't, I Think I Can't
With Influences That Range From A To Zed

Lion King Last Supper

Wemoweh, wemoweh, wemoweh, wemoweh. In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion is betrayed tonight...

Wow, it's been awhile since I've posted a Last Supper, so here is The Lion King Last Supper by super fan kati-kopa, who has helpfully provided a legend of who everyone is. I have no idea why she made them all cubs though. I also assume that Pumbaa is there, but he's what's for dinner.

From left to right: Tojo, Ni, Ahadi, Chumvi, Kovu, Tama, Simba, Taka, Kopa, Malka, Nuka, Mohatu and Mufasa. (Link via Last Suppers)

Previously on Last Supper
Suddenly Last Supper
Birth Of The King
The Last Smurf

Lost: If It Weren't For Those Meddling Castaways...

I would love if Lost ended like this! To be honest, after this week's episode, its as likely as an explanation as anything that is going to come out of the writer's room.




Be sure to check out of Atom and Team Tiger Awesome nods to classic TV and movie history for the 11 ways that Lost should end. (Atom via Neatogeek)

Previously on Popped Culture...
Fear And Loathing In The Mystery Machine
Lost And Found: Oceanic Flight 815
Lost: If Found Call 4815162342

Beast Of Pop Culture Revelation

"And the dragon stood on the shore of the sea. And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. He had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on his horns, and on each head a blasphemous name..." Revelations 13:1

Pop artist Augie Pagan imagines what just such a pop culture beast would look like and the result is terrifying. From right to left:

1. Star Trek Gorn
2. Tuan-Taun from Empire Strikes Back
3. & 4. Dragon and Cyclops from The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad
5. One of the Ghidora heads from Godzilla.
6. The Mugato from classic Trek series.
7. The Terror Dogs from Ghostbusters.

Previously on Popped Culture...
Evil Comes In All Shapes And Sizes
Monsters Can't Hold Their Liquor
Mornin' Sam, Mornin' Ralph

Superman, The Flash... And The General?

“When Boss Hogg sets up a phony charity designed to funnel contributions from well-meaning citizens into his own pockets, Superman and the Flash are roped into holding a charity race across Hazzard County–without super-powers! But when Bo and Luke Duke, a couple of good ol’ boys who never mean no harm crash the race, can the two Fastest Men Alive outrun a souped-up Dodge Charger before it hits the county line?"

By Chris Sims and drawn by Rusty Shackles of Comics Alliance via my good friend John Farrier's fabulous new blog Neatogeek. The new blog is a spinoff of the already fabulous Neatorama and will be making a regular appearance here. This is also a goodbye to The Zeray Gazette, which cedes its time in the blogosphere to Neatogeek. Congrats John, the site looks amazing!

Previously on Popped Culture...
Two Warriors Come Out Of The Sky
Dukes Of Hoth
In The '80s Junkyard

Flinstones: Dino's Revenge

When you're eating a Flintstone, you'll have a yabba dabba doo time. A dabba doo time. You'll have a gay old time.

Sure, Dino may have seened cute as a, um, puppy, but when he grew up Fred didn't really stand a chance. (DINO-bite! by Nerdvana: Vote now! Link via Super Punch)

Previously on Popped Culture...
Modern Stone Age Architecture
The Dabba Don
And God Created Sugar