What we have in this fantasy set are zombies. There are several definitions of zombies, but for our purposes we are talking about the most commonly recognised one, which is people risen from the dead but with no soul. Traditionally these are seen in various states of decomposition, and wearing the clothes they were buried in.

The figures in this set are an eclectic selection. We'll start by identifying each:

Row 1

1. Spanish National Guard
2. Mexican
3. Roman
4. Swiss Guard

1. French Foreign Legion Officer
2. American Civil War Cavalryman
3. Greek Evzone
4. Amazon
5. Sumo

1. Pirate
2. 18th Century Musketeer
3. 19th Century Prussian
4. Viking
5. Preacher

These figures cover a pretty broad sweep of human history, but we have to say they do not look well. Most seem to have lost the soft tissue on their heads which leaves them with just the skull; although they all still boast a full head of hair (modern hair-care products have radically improved the appearance of the average zombie). Below the neck death has been kinder to some than others, with figures such as the Viking and Swiss Guard being little more than skeletons while others such as the Sumo, who clearly started out with more flesh than the others anyway, seems little touched by his post-death experience.

The clothes are a real mess, but then the undead are not renowned for their good dress sense. Add to that the difficulties of looking after a uniform (and a body) that might be riddled with bullet holes or cuts while being buried under the earth and these guys should be considered to have done quite well.

Traditionally zombies are portrayed shuffling along with outstretched arms emitting a low groan, but these guys have a lot more life action than that. They are all doing pretty much what you might expect them to have done whilst still alive, and have managed to obtain suitable weapons, making them a lot busier than the average corpse.

Two of these figures stand out from the crowd, but in very different ways. One is the Amazon, who if deceased has certainly fulfilled her ambition to make a great-looking corpse. Her face looks lifelike and complete, which leaves the viewer wondering how much of it is natural (much like many women still living). Her chest is, well, exhibiting no signs of decomposition, although the clearly visible ribcage would suggest her post mortem state or perhaps the revolting fashion of being grossly underweight in the name of 'beauty'. Her right leg is seriously deformed, so clearly she still has medical problems (apart from being a cadaver, of course).

The final figure in the bottom row is not a zombie, but a Christian preacher holding up a crucifix and perhaps the Bible. Zombies come from the voodoo tradition, particularly on Haiti, so to what extent Christian practices might affect them is unclear, but this guy is certainly trying his best to subdue the forces of darkness. Unless you are really good with the modelling knife and putty then this is the only figure that could realistically be of value in a non-fantasy setting. He stands 24mm tall, which with his clothing makes him only usable for the fairly modern era.

The figures are currently made in grey, light brown and silver, and are certainly something a bit different from the norm. Exactly how you might use them is hard to say - perhaps as some form of time-travelling United Nations force - but of course as fantasy their uses are only limited by your imagination.