LIVING DEAD DOLLS
Living Dead Dolls is an iconic line of gothic horror collectibles created by Ed Long and Damien Glonek in 1998 and commercially produced by Mezco Toyz since 2000. Distinctively packaged in coffin-shaped boxes with tissue paper linings and chipboard death certificates, the brand spans over 35 main series, various sub-lines, and popular licensed horror figures.
Cronologia
Panoramica
Living Dead Dolls (LDD) is a pioneer line of 10-inch gothic horror figures designed for an adult demographic (ages 15+).
Originally created by Ed Long and Damien Glonek, the line was discovered by Mike "Mez" Markowitz, founder of Mezco Toyz, who partnered with the creators to mass-produce and commercially distribute the dolls starting in 2000.
The figures are famously packaged in signature die-cut, coffin-shaped boxes complete with tissue paper linings and chipboard death certificates containing dark epitaph poems. Over its extensive history, the brand has grown from handmade convention exclusives into a global horror phenomenon comprising 35 main numbered series, specialized sub-lines, publications, and licensed pop-culture crossover figures.
Storia
The line began in 1998 in New Jersey when Ed Long and Damien Glonek created handmade 10-inch custom horror dolls using blank craft bodies. These original creations were sold through Glonek's mail-order catalog Unearthly Possessions and at horror conventions like Chiller Theatre.
After partnering with Mezco Toyz in 1999, commercial mass production launched in 2000. Between 2001 and 2019, Mezco released 35 numbered main series featuring original characters with personalized death stories, along with sub-lines such as Fashion Victims, Living Dead Minis, Scary Tales, and the deluxe Resurrection Series.
The brand also spawned a tabletop board game in 2003 and reference books in 2005 and 2014. Following a temporary hiatus after the 20th Anniversary Series, Mezco officially rebooted the franchise in February 2023 as "The Return of the Living Dead Dolls," introducing upgraded engineering with glass-like moveable eyes, 18 points of articulation, and swappable faceplates.
I PEZZI DI LIVING DEAD DOLLS
Collezionismo
Living Dead Dolls occupies a legendary position in horror toy collecting, serving as the benchmark for gothic adult-oriented dolls. Historical pricing and releases were documented early on in publications such as Schiffer Publishing's 2005 Living Dead Dolls: Value & Reference Guide.
Among the rarest and most valuable grails in the community are the original pre-2000 "Handmades" created directly by Ed Long and Damien Glonek, limited sub-lines such as the deluxe Resurrection Series (Series I–XII), and rare publications like the 1,500-copy hardcover Living Dead Dolls in Wonderland. Additionally, the line's LDD Presents branch attracts cross-genre horror fans through officially licensed figures of cinema icons including Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, Chucky, Michael Myers, and Pennywise. The 2023 reboot has reinvigorated market interest, making both early original main series boxed dolls and modern high-articulation releases prized display items.
The 2014 hardback book "The Art of Living Dead Dolls" featured artwork from over 80 dark-fantasy artists celebrating the brand's 16th anniversary.
