Look out now... zombie! (Taylor Jones / Post file photo)

by ALEXIS LARSEN

There are two schools of lumbering zombie camps out there: those who delight in zombies for the gore and destruction and those who enjoy their funnier, softer, crumbling side.

This list of our favorites draws influence from the campier, more light-hearted side of the spectrum. Regardless of which you go with, zombies work in a wide variety of formats — books, movies, music, video games, graphic novels and more. Here are 10 zombies we love from various genres. We’ve ranked each in speed, strength, hunger, ingenuity, determination and scariness on a 1 to 10 scale.

Undead Ed from Shaun of the Dead

Genre: Movie

What? Shaun’s best friend Ed in the film Shaun of the Dead.

Ed (Nick Frost, right) is shown pre-zombification alongside best bud Shaun (Simon Pegg) in 'Shaun of the Dead'. (Rogue Pictures)

Zombie speed: 1. At the end of the film, Ed’s playing PlayStation chained up next to Shaun. He may be able to walk faster, but this is a zombie that’s clearly unmotivated.

Zombie strength: Questionable, but we’ll go with 2. How much does a lazy zombie want to flex rotting muscle? We’re guessing not very much.

Zombie hunger: Unknown.

Zombie ingenuity: 10. He’s playing PlayStation with his best friend — how many of the undead do you see doing that?

Zombie determination: 1. See “speed of limp.”

Scare factor: 2. It’s important to exercise caution, but it’s hard to run away from something so loveable.

Half Baked

Genre: Movie

Steven Wright in a more lucid state. (AP)

What? What’s more zombie-like than a true stoner? We have to recognize the uncredited role (“The Guy On The Couch”) played by comedian Steven Wright in Half Baked. Wright, who has gained fame for his deadpan delivery of ironic and witty one-liners, had a small, but hilarious role in this Dave Chappelle film. Feel free to substitute the characters played by actors Jim Breuer (Brian) and Harland Williams (Kenny) if you like. Thurgood, played by Chappelle, is far too high functioning to fit into any kind of a zombie category, so leave him out of it.

Zombie speed: 0. He’s the guy on the couch after all.

Zombie strength: 2. But it would be more trouble than it’s worth.

Zombie hunger: 5. The munchies are coming but they’re not craving brains, so worry not.

Zombie ingenuity: 1. Zombie determination: 0.

Scare factor: The laugh factor’s high, but the scare factor’s 0.

Musical zombies

Genre: Sound

What? Michael Jackson is in a zombie class all of his own. In this case, pick your own musical zombie. We’d go with The Misfits performing “Astro Zombies” or “Braineaters.” If that holds no appeal, maybe try a group that bears the zombie namesake — there’s White Zombie, which sings “I, Zombie,” or Rob Zombie. If those are still too hardcore, you might go with a softer track from the ‘60s group The Zombies or “Zombie” from the Cranberries.

Zombie speed: Depends, but if it’s The Misfits, you’re looking at an 8.

Zombie strength: Varies, see “Speed.”

Zombie hunger: “Braineaters” lyrics go: “Brains for dinner, brains for lunch, brains for breakfast, brains for brunch!” — it doesn’t get much hungrier than that … 10.

Zombie ingenuity: Varies, see “speed.”

Zombie determination: Zombies and music just plain work (for the most part). On average we’d give it an 8.

Scare factor: Well, seeing as how you’re not actually seeing a zombie in person we’ll go with 1.

Night of the Living Dead zombies

Genre: Movie

Original poster for George Romero's 'Night of the Living Dead'.

What? How can you choose just one zombie? George Romero’s 1968 low-budget masterpiece took the recently deceased and re-animated theme to all new heights — we think all of them deserve a shout out.

Zombie speed: 3. They didn’t move fast, but they had stamina.

Zombie strength: 8. Don’t let them get you or you’re toast.

Zombie hunger: 10.

Zombie ingenuity: 2. These mindless zombies didn’t have a plan, but they did what they could to make it to their goal — human flesh.

Zombie determination: Seriously, these zombies are not messing around — 9.

Scare factor: If this was the first horror/zombie film you’ve ever seen, 10; if you came to it later in life, 7.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

Genre: Book

What? “It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains.” So begins Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: The Classic Regency Romance — Now With Ultraviolent Zombie Mayhem! by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith. Smith has re-mixed the beloved Jane Austen novel with an additional thread of war against hordes of the undead.

Zombie speed: 9 — If you love classic literature and zombie mayhem, this mash-up is for you — and it’s sure to be a quick read. Smith isn’t the greatest writer, but you forgive him for coming up with such a great premise.

Zombie strength: This book is ridiculous and unbelievable and doesn’t pretend to be anything but. Assuming you don’t take “Pride and Prejudice” too seriously, 8.

Zombie hunger: 8. It leaves the reader wanting more, which is probably why it’s spent so much time on the New York Times Bestseller list.

Zombie ingenuity: 9. Elizabeth Bennet, Mr. Darcy, ninjas and zombies? Hollywood is sure to scoop this one up.

Zombie determination: 7. But they still can’t get in between the love that is meant to be between the main characters.

Scare factor: 2. It’s a book, so you can put it down.

Baby Selwyn

Genre: Movie

Baby Selwyn from 'Dead Alive'. Ew. (Trimark Home Video)

What? The zombie baby from Peter Jackson’s (Lord of the Rings trilogy, King Kong) graphic fright-fest Dead Alive (1993). This rom-zom-com is not for the weak of stomach or the faint of heart.

Zombie speed: 9 in a runaway stroller, 4 crawling.

Zombie hunger: Unknown.

Zombie ingenuity: 2. But he’s a baby, what do you expect?

Zombie determination: 8. This kid doesn’t stop. Peter Jackson has gone on record saying the scene at the park is his favorite part of the entire film, and we’d have to agree.

Scare factor: Baby Selwyn — 4. The film itself — 9. Peter Jackson’s twisted, and this film should serve as proof.

Click here for Part 2.