Box Autos

When Anson Kuo set out to build the ultimate Zombie Survival Machine, he first looked to his driveway for inspiration. After recently purchasing an all-new 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, Kuo decided to design his “zombie-mobile” based on his own new car.

Kuo’s customized Hyundai Santa Fe Zombie Survival Machine, brought to life by Galpin Auto Sports (GAS), was revealed on the New York Comic-Con floor at the Future US booth in the Javitz Center on Thursday night. Kuo’s Santa Fe design was picked as the winner out of more than 82,500 fan submissions on The Walking Dead Chop Shop configurator app.

“My main design goal was to make the vehicle as stealthy and spacious as possible,” said Kuo. “I knew knives and blades would be the best bet for weaponry – they could slice and dice the zombies without releasing any ammunition. Basing the design on the Santa Fe allows space for extra passengers as well as weapons, supplies and all the other necessary items needed during a real zombie apocalypse.”

Kuo’s urban camouflaged Zombie Survival Machine features knife blades, an automatic crossbow, razor-wired windows, three machine guns, a samurai sword, aluminum armor and a muffler silencer. New York Comic Con attendees will be able to take pictures with the new Zombie Survival Machine at the Future US booth and get inside the vehicle to check out all of the features. The booth will also feature a zombie make-up artist, limited edition giveaways, and more.

“Anson Kuo’s custom Santa Fe Zombie Survival Machine is the ultimate car for The Walking Dead fans” said Steve Shannon, vice president, Marketing, Hyundai Motor America. “It’s very cool to see Anson’s great design become a real-life, detailed, zombie-proof vehicle.”

Hyundai’s continued partnership with Robert Kirkman’s Skybound imprint at Image Comics and Kirkman’s groundbreaking comic and best-selling graphic novels, The Walking Dead also includes a special gallery execution featuring “The Walking Dead A Decade of Dead” curated by former editorial director Sina Grace at local gallery Pillars 37 October 10-12. This event will showcase The Walking Dead artwork, famed illustrations, the Veloster Zombie Survival Machine from San Diego Comic-Con and an autograph signing by artist Charlie Adlard. Limited edition prints exclusive to the gallery will be distributed to gallery guests each day. The gallery will also host a private screening of the world premiere of the “Hyundai Presents The Walking Dead A Decade of Dead” documentary.

“We’re excited to see Anson’s Zombie Survival Machine debut at New York Comic-Con,” said Robert Kirkman. “This is a great addition to the celebration of the 10th Anniversary of The Walking Dead.”

The Hyundai and Future US displays will be located at Booth #542 on the Javitz Center show floor. To check out the documentary, visit TheWalkingDead.com on October 11.

ROBERT KIRKMAN
Robert Kirkman’s success and passionate advocacy for creator-owned comics led him to become the first person invited to become a partner at Image Comics since the company’s inception twenty-one years ago. Kirkman is the creator/writer of the Eisner Award-winning The Walking Dead, long-running Invincible, all-ages Super Dinosaur and Thief of Thieves. In 2010, Kirkman formed his own Image imprint, Skybound, which publishes his own work and Witch Doctor, Invincible Universe and Clone.  Kirkman has earned the respect of the comic, writing and television communities and topped the New York Times bestseller list for graphic novels in 2011 and 2012. In April 2012, he took the top five spots on both the hardcover and paperback lists. He’s the creator/executive producer and writer of the hit Emmy®-winning television show, AMC’s The Walking Dead, the highest-rated basic cable drama of all time in the U.S, also an international success in 122 countries and 37 languages.