Zombies vs Unicorns

Well I certainly never saw this coming, but I think this debate has some potential to become the new pirate vs. ninja.  

Last week, authors Justine Larbalestier and Holly Black announced that they are co-editing an anthology of fiction to be published by Simon and Schuster in 2010.  Each has a post about it on their website.  No word yet on who else will be contributing to this project.  

Team Zombie

Team Awesome (Unicorn)

By now you must know that I am formally endorsing Team Unicorn.   

Let me just say that I love this project.  This is not about who can kick whose butt in a fight but which creature makes for better fiction.  And regardless of the outcome, both creatures could use some new life.  Let’s face it, zombies and unicorns both fall victim to cliche more often than fans can stomach. Unicorns are ethereal, pure, christ-like, and most commonly a female power symbol.  Zombies…mindless, rotting, and need I say it BRAAAAAAAAAAINS.  Arguably this is what  many zombie lovers seem to appreciate about them, but meeeeh.  

I’ve had enough.  There are advocates a plenty for other mythical creatures such as vampires, werewolves, dragons, and fae.  Gone are the pixy like faeries as seen in Thumbalina. Look what Melissa Marr has done for them. Faeries are now edgy, sexy…predators.  And let’s face it, dragons have always been cool.

Unicorns were my gateway into fantasy thanks to such things Rainbow Bright, The Unicorn Chronicles, and of course…The Last Unicorn.  But what has been done, and done well, in recent years with this noble animal: not a whole lot.  I think part of the problem is that unicorns are considered juvenile, My Little Pony and all that, but I hope that can change.