Z is for Zombie

Most-Wanted Monsters is thrilled to be one of more than a thousand blogs taking part in the 2012 A -Z Blogging Challenge - 26 opportunities to help you survive a paranormal apocalypse. Don't let our epic monster limericks fool you - the lore we share about the beasties featured in each daily post could literally save your life. Know them before they GET you!

ZOMBIE

Why do you run? You smell so yummy.

Need your brains warm in my tummy.

Hack and slash me as you will,

I’ll just crawl and lurch like an imbecile.

Mindless. Restless. Hungry. We could be describing your next-door neighbour, or yourself on a cloudy Sunday afternoon of sports television, video game playing, or Net surfing...and perhaps we are - if that pesky zombie apocalypse has finally struck.

Zombies are the stuff of modern film, exercise workouts, graphic novels, fiction novels, picture books, group walks, hip dance moves, party trends, and bloody merchandise. 

While they maybe a killer money maker - you honestly wouldn't want to get mobbed by a zombie hoard at your local shopping mall...where the lowest price is your LIFE.

Whether spawned by a mutant virus, mind-controled by a Russian with a ray-gun, or reanimated by a mad scientist - zombies share similar traits. They lurch, jolt, crawl, run - and they do so, no matter how injured, dead, or undead. Decomposition is no imposition. These suckers are the Energizer Bunnies of the supernatural world. 

They. Just. Keep. Coming. And they seek only one thing. Living human flesh.

SURVIVAL TIP: Ironically, while zombies have no brains of their own to speak of, decapitation or a bullet to the brain is the only way to stop these unstopable creatures.

Come on, you iZombie tech geeks - what "Z" creatures plague your nation?

Now, stagger over to some of the other blogs on the A-Z Blogging Challenge FOR THE LAST DAY! We had such a blast doing this challenge and perhaps we saved a life or two. Thanks for joining us this month.

Y is for Yeti

Most-Wanted Monsters is thrilled to be one of more than a thousand blogs taking part in the 2012 A -Z Blogging Challenge - 26 opportunities to help you survive a paranormal apocalypse. Don't let our epic monster limericks fool you - the lore we share about the beasties featured in each daily post could literally save your life. Know them before they GET you!

YETI

Whiteout. Snowblind. Here a scream.

Abominable. Terrible. Eyes that gleam.

Man-eater, life taker, or harmless hominid?

In the mountains of Tibet we’ve carefully hid.

This winterized Bigfoot lives in the Himalayas and has captured the imaginations of the Western world since the first climbers of Mount Everest discovered his giant footprints in 1953. Since then, sightings and even hair samples have been recorded annually. Even the King of Nepal retains officials charged with keeping track of Yeti sightings.

While legends often depict a hungry, lumbering, snowbound predator, other stories tell of Yeti taking human wives. Women who have returned to their villages - seemingly unharmed. As well as tales of these giant white-haired hominids saving the lives of lost or injured mountain climbers.

What tales should be believed? Or like most humans - are there good and evil Yeti striding through wintery mountain passes?

SURVIVAL TIP: Kind of like the varying advice of how to react if you encounter a bear in the woods - play dead, or stand your ground - one Yeti may be more dangerous than another. There's no way to tell. Our advice? Stick with wall climbing.

Come on, give us your best shot - what "Y" beast sends a chill down your spine?

Now, snow-shoe on over to some of the other blogs on the A-Z Blogging Challenge.

X is for X-MEN

Most-Wanted Monsters is thrilled to be one of more than a thousand blogs taking part in the 2012 A -Z Blogging Challenge - 26 opportunities to help you survive a paranormal apocalypse. Don't let our epic monster limericks fool you - the lore we share about the beasties featured in each daily post could literally save your life. Know them before they GET you!

X-MEN

From the minds of Kirby, and of Lee

Come scientific versions of monstrosity.

Holding up a graphic mirror to human kind

Showing our inner beasts, one comic at a time.

Since 1963 Stan Lee and Jack Kirby have entertained comic lovers with the ever unfolding saga of the X-Men. These two brilliant and creative forces united to put a scientific spin on mythology and folklore. Forget magic and mystery, spells and incantations, the REAL reason behind the lore of our darkest fears - an eXtra gene causing mutations in human DNA.

That's right. They're not monsters, people, they're just human MUTANTS - with good and evil among their diverse ilk. Once outted, the mutants face a hostile reception from the average-Joe human population. They soon see the benefits of aligning with either the caring, "good", Professor Xavier and his X-Men, or with the fierce, "evil", Magneto and his Brotherhood of Mutants.

The two factions serve as a reflection of human society, revealing our darkness: prejudice, fear of the unknown, intolerance, greed - and yet the villains of the Marvel Universe often have sympathetic orgins. Magneto, himself, a survivor of a concentration camp.

SURVIVAL TIP: Arm yourself with knowledge of the mutants - read the X-Men comics, watch the films...you may see something of your own inner beast.

Fess up - what "X" beast looks back at you from your mirror?

Now, teleport on over to some of the other blogs on the A-Z Blogging Challenge.

W is for Werewolf

Most-Wanted Monsters is thrilled to be one of more than a thousand blogs taking part in the 2012 A -Z Blogging Challenge - 26 opportunities to help you survive a paranormal apocalypse. Don't let our epic monster odes fool you - the lore we share about the beasties featured in each daily post could literally save your life. Know them before they GET you!

WEREWOLF

Oh, the hunger of the moon

How she makes them howl and croon

Cursed to feed on human flesh

They hunt and feast. Make quite the mess.

A popular shapeshifter, the werewolf is an oldie, but a goodie, and has seen a resurgence thanks to the jean-wearing, shirtless packs in young adult fiction. Yet, werewolves aren't to be considered domesticated. Far from it.

These beasties have bite and they've been around for a long, long time.

From the jackal-headed, Egyptian god, Anubis, who protected the dead and their tombs, to the founding brothers of Rome, Remus and Romulus, suckled by a she-wolf, and the Christian, dog-headed, Saint Christopher, who in his younger years consumed human flesh and used a guttural mode of speech - believe us when we say werewolves deserve more respect than being regarded as hot-guy eye candy.

Most aren't boy-friend/girl-friend material. Ruled by the moon, cursed to transform, to kill - werewolves come with a lot of baggage. But as with our modern take on the vampire, lately these fierce beasties are seeking redemption and falling in love with humans - it's almost an epidemic.

Werewoves are not to be confused with those suffering from the congenital disorder known as hypertrichosis which causes abnormal and excessive hair growth over the victim's entire body. Including the palms of their hands, likely the origin of one main method of werewolf identification - hairy palms.

SURVIVAL TIP: Werewolves are equally attracted to and repelled by the wolfsbane plant - use it wisely. Silver bullets or even a silver dagger, butter knife, or spoon to the heart will take one down.

Think werewolves make good pets? Not so much? What other "W" claws at your insides?

Now, lope on over to some of the other blogs on the A-Z Blogging Challenge.

V is for Valkyrie

Most-Wanted Monsters is thrilled to be one of more than a thousand blogs taking part in the 2012 A -Z Blogging Challenge - 26 opportunities to help you survive a paranormal apocalypse. Don't let our epic monster odes fool you - the lore we share about the beasties featured in each daily post could literally save your life. Know them before they GET you!

VALKYRIE

Demi-goddess with a task of honour

Scour battlefield dead for the best men in armour.

They'll fight again on the other side. 

Guide them to Odin, a dangerous ride

Valkyrie are harbingers of death, givers of wishes, as well as servants to the Norse god, Odin, duty-bound to ferry fallen soldiers to Valhalla to the great war at the end of the world. In some instances a valkyrie actually chooses who lives or dies on the battlefield.

Often travelling in groups, wearing waist-length armour, holding spears or swords, and helmeted, the valkyrie are true warriors themselves and fight in battles as much as they walk among the dead. They are associated with wolves, horses, and ravens, even assume their forms. They also use their animal companions to find carnage and corpses.

Depicted as beautiful, despite their deadly intent, valkyrie have been known to occasionally favour human warriors and protect them in battle, yet, ultimately have to sacrifice their lovers for the good of Odin's army.

SURVIVAL TIP: If you see a valkyrie while in battle, you may die in that very fight. Get your last punches in while you can - make it count - and hope she likes what she sees.

Come on, brave soldiers - what "V" beastie strikes fear in your hearts?

Now, march on over to some of the other blogs on the A-Z Blogging Challenge.

U is for UFOs, baby!

Most-Wanted Monsters is thrilled to be one of more than a thousand blogs taking part in the 2012 A -Z Blogging Challenge - 26 opportunities to help you survive a paranormal apocalypse. Don't let our epic monster poems fool you - the lore we share about the beasties featured in each daily post could literally save your life. Know them before they GET you!

UFOs

So you crashed here back in '47,

From another planet? Or down from heaven?

I gotta ask, if you come in peace,

Could you fix our environment for us, please?

Not usually associated with the paranormal, the ongoing debate regarding the origins of UFOs (Unidentified Flying Objects) - are they alien, or something supernatural? - makes them worthy of MWM coverage. Sightings have been recorded back to prehistory, we're talking ancient cave paintings, my friends.

Debated, researched, and investigated the world over, UFOs remain one of the greatest mysteries perplexing mankind. Because if UFOs exist - who the hell is flying those suckers? Are they more evolved versions of us? God-like beings, all zen and E.T.-ish? Or are they acid blood spilling, watch-your-own-guts-explode-and-birth-an-alien-baby-out-of-your-stomach kinda creatures?

If peace is the goal - what's with all the abductions, the medical experiments? The probes, guys? What's up with those?

SURVIVAL TIP: Better to be safe than sore. If you spot a UFO, leave the area immediately, especially if you're in the United States, where the bulk of abductions are reported.

Come on, terrestrials, fess up, have "U" seen a UFO?

Now, blastoff over to some of the other blogs on the A-Z Blogging Challenge.

T is for Troll

Most-Wanted Monsters is thrilled to be one of more than a thousand blogs taking part in the 2012 A -Z Blogging Challenge - 26 opportunities to help you survive a paranormal apocalypse. Don't let our epic monster poems fool you - the lore we share about the beasties featured in each daily post could literally save your life. Know them before they GET you!

TROLL

So we're ugly, have a heart,

We giant hill folk are none too smart.

We had more friends, but we up and ate'm,

Zoch, and Schrob, and little wee Kadum.

Troll literally means "monster" in Old Norse. How fitting. Described as large, horrifically ugly, sporting large noses, humps on their backs, hairy, with knife-like talons on their fingers - and preying either on humans, or cannibalizing themselves, these creatures truly are monstrous.

Okay, so some lore says the females may be attractive with long red hair. Still!

Trolls are a bit dim and like dark, dank places, living in caves or burrows under hills. They may or may not be hiding a stash of gemstones or other treasure. But BEWARE, they're active between dusk and dawn, so if you're attempting a troll heist - schedule it during the day. That's when trolls return to their natural form - stone.

SURVIVAL TIP: Trolls hate loud noises and will scatter when they hear church bells. If one is stalking you, dodge their talons until sunrise, then entice them to walk into the light. They'll instantly turn to stone.

Come on, give us your best shot - what "T" beast turns you to stone?

Now, troll on over to some of the other blogs on the A-Z Blogging Challenge.

S is for Succubus

Most-Wanted Monsters is thrilled to be one of more than a thousand blogs taking part in the 2012 A -Z Blogging Challenge - 26 opportunities to help you survive a paranormal apocalypse. Don't let our epic monster poems fool you - the lore we share about the beasties featured in each daily post could literally save your life. Know them before they GET you!

SUCCUBUS

Sexy, nimble, full of heat

Visits victims while they sleep

First the pleasure, then the pain

Dying as they scream her name.

As with her brother, the Inccubus, the Succubus is one of the hottest paranormals in the monster game. Drop dead gorgeous, simmering with latent sexual heat, she'll drain a victim dry as they sleep, blissfully experiencing the bestest fantasy sex EVER.

Her visitations are believed to be the cause of wet dreams, harmless enough if she moves on to other prey. However, a succubus can become fixated on a victim, her visits become relentless, and after a few nights - the victim dies - depleted.

But what a way to go, right?

Wrong.

Descriptions of these beasts haven't always been so flattering. Old lore gives them demonic features, vampire / bat-like wings, horns - no leather or whips to be found. Thanks to our modern obsession with giving the paranormal world a sparkly makeover - we're betting these ladies have taken to hiding their true visage.

SURVIVAL TIP: To deflect a succubus attack, avoid sleeping on your back, leave the lights on, and set your alarm clock at regular intervals during the night to snap you out of your dreams. You'll respect yourself more in the morning - if you survive.

Got another "S" beastie that can give a Succubus a little competition?

Now, cat-walk over to some of the other blogs on the A-Z Blogging Challenge.

R is for Rakshasa

Most-Wanted Monsters is thrilled to be one of more than a thousand blogs taking part in the 2012 A -Z Blogging Challenge - 26 opportunities to help you survive a paranormal apocalypse. Don't let our epic monster poems fool you - the lore we share about the beasties featured in each daily post could literally save your life. Know them before they GET you!

RAKSHASA

They wander in the heart of night

,

looking for a hell of a fight.

Bringers of death, masters of illusion,

A showdown with you has but one conclusion.

Rakshasa, or man-eater, is a creature of Hindu lore. Females are known as Rakshasi. Talk about monsters with all the Aces up their sleeves. Rakshasa have more supernatural powers than most in the paranormal world. They can shapeshift (assuming animal or human forms), venom in their fingernails, have fangs, flaming red eyes, long, icky tongues, can vanish, fly, are powerful warriors and killers for hire, work magic, and confuse their enemies with intricate illusions.

Said to be a race of supernatural beings, Rakshasa once fought epic battles alongside both the good and the evil. However, don't ever drop your guard - all Rakshasa feed on human flesh. Yup, they have an insatiable hunger for the "other, other" white meat. So don't go getting too comfortable.

SURVIVAL TIP: While Rakshasa have an arsenal of killer skills at their disposal, they can be defeated by one rare, super sekret weapon called the Brahmastra which can only be used once in a lifetime and requires enormous mental strength to control. The downside of using the Brahmastra (if you can find it) - loads of collateral damage - the thing will destroy surrounding ecosytems. Oy!

Alright, let us have it - what "R" beast could take on a Rakshasa?

Fly on over to some of the other blogs on the A-Z Blogging Challenge.

Q is for the Queen Mary

Most-Wanted Monsters is thrilled to be one of more than a thousand blogs taking part in the 2012 A -Z Blogging Challenge - 26 opportunities to help you survive a paranormal apocalypse. Don't let our epic monster limericks fool you - the lore we share about the beasties featured in each daily post could literally save your life. Know them before they GET you!

Queen Mary

Slicing through the swelling waves

Carrying troops to unmarked graves

Now she's docked, a tourist trap

The dead she ferries don't care much for that.

She first set sail in 1934, a majestic ocean liner, and a distant cousin to the likes of the great Titanic. While she's still afloat, the Queen Mary has an unusually high death count for a cruising vessel.

WWII saw her refitted to carry troops. Once she sliced through the middle of an escort ship to outmanoeuvre a German U-boat, causing the death of 300 friendly soldiers. It's said their screams and the pounding of their fists on the her sides can still be heard. After over 1000 voyages, a ship like the Queen Mary has seen her share of civilian death as well. Some of those souls linger. You can meet them if you like.

The first class pool is haunted by drowning victims, the Queen's Salon by a woman in white, the ships morgue - oy! - and cabin B340 is so full of crazy disturbances, it's rarely rented out.

That's right, this historic vessel, with her ghostly inhabitants, can be walked at leisure by the thrill-seekers among us. She's docked in Long Beach, California - converted into a hotel and interactive museum.

SURVIVAL TIP: The Queen Mary is like an old, wise woman, with dark secrets. Kind of like "old" Rose in the Titanic film. So don't go ticking her off, or your stay may be as eternal as the sea.

Alright - what "Q" beast rocks YOUR boat?

Now, grab a life preserver and paddle over to some of the other blogs on the A-Z Blogging Challenge.

P is for Poltergeist

Most-Wanted Monsters is thrilled to be one of more than a thousand blogs taking part in the 2012 A -Z Blogging Challenge - 26 opportunities to help you survive a paranormal apocalypse. Don't let our epic monster poems fool you - the lore we share about the beasties featured in each daily post could literally save your life. Know them before they GET you!

POLTERGEIST

Knock, knock. Who’s there?

Malicious spirits give you a scare.

Pound, pound goes your heart

This game won’t end ‘til they depart.

Poltergeists, ghosts or entities who've mastered the hair-raising art of making weird sounds and moving objects, are known to manifest in households with volatile teens, usually girls.

They're the paranormal equivalent of a home wrecker. Often overturning furniture and blowing up lightbulbs. Polts cause sleepless nights for their victims, induce terror, perform harmless pranks that may quickly escalate from rapping on tables, moving furniture, emitting foul smells, and slamming doors to scratching, biting, and even sexual molestation.

Not quite Casper, eh? You may want to get in on the Rue Morgue event to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the film, Poltergeist, to get a better feel for the beasties. FYI, Rue Morgue is Canada's coolest horror magazine, a real scream.

SURVIVAL TIP: Poltergeists don't have much staying power, a year, tops. Thankfully, they seem to leave as abruptly as they enter our lives. You can wait it out, or contact your local medium or ghostbusting paranormal investigators to give it a shot.

Alright, let's have it - what "P" creature trumps a polt?

Now, levitate over to some of the other blogs on the A-Z Blogging Challenge.