ON THE ROAD AGAIN
Today we pick up discussion about The Walking Dead’s collaboration with Hyundai for the 100th issue and 10th Anniversaries. We briefly talked about the survival machine car design, the parties at SDCC and the amazing mini documentary The Walking Dead: A Decade of Dead.
Now we’re going to talk about of the coolest comic collectibles ever produced.
This is the 2014 TWD Special Edition Hyundai Tuscon. In the summer of 2014, Hyundai produced a limited edition of 1000 of these cars (one for each dealership).
Being amazing partners, in 2013 Hyundai reached out to us and wanted to do sometime truly special to cap off the partnership. Their pitch was to create a limited edition TWD themed car. Our answer was an immediate YES. Once we had the paperwork signed, we started working within the our limited paramaters (time and budget) to get something down. The Hyundai design team worked with Robert and the crew at Skybound to come up with a slick design for the special edition Tuscon.
In keeping with the design aesthetic of the comic, we kept the body color of the car Ash Black and added a splash of (blood) red accents to the interior and exterior. The car featured accents that weren’t offered on the base model of Tuscon, like the roof rack and mud guards. It also added custom embroidered floor and cargo mats, runner graphics (zombie hands!!) and a special badge featuring Robert’s signature.
There was also a TWD themed special Zombie Survival Kit. The kit was a 72 hour survival backpack. Perfect for those long commutes on the 405.
BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE
In your welcome package you also received two other special items.
The first was the rarely seen Quick Reference Guide Supplement which was a kitschy guide to driving in the apocalypse that featured Faction Logos and Warning Indicators, Driving Tips (If someone suggests “splitting up” while they watch the car, exclude them from your group. They will likely steal your car.), Maintenance Schedule (Update your barbed wire after 25 walkers) & Non Dealer Upgrades (Chainsaws, Flamethrower and more!).
The Quick Reference Guide featured art from Charlie Adlard, Matt Roberts, Cory Walker, Clark Orr and was designed by Phil Smith.
The second item turned out to be one of the rarest TWD comics of all time.
This is The Walking Dead #1 Hyundai Special Edition. The sweet cover was designed by Robbie Biederman with artwork by Charlie Adlard. One of the rarest copies of TWD out there. While the print run wasn’t the lowest in the entirety of TWD, it had one of the highest points of entry…YOU HAD TO BUY A $30K CAR TO GET IT!!!
Over the years, I’ve met a few fans who have owned one. It’s amazing to see them in person.
One thing to note about that cover. We also used the artwork for the TWD 10th Anniversary comic which was used in special Skybound holiday mystery boxes in 2013. That version didn’t have the Hyundai logo on the back.
END OF THE ROAD
That’s all for this week. If you’re around on Friday, I’ll be hosting another live sale on Whatnot and I’m going to be bringing a copy of the TWD #1 Hyundai Special edition with me! So come out and join in the fun!!
Wow - thanks - I never knew those existed. I took a picture with the tricked out one from NYCC and have the book and poster from it.
I think as rare as seeing the Huyndai comic is acutally seeing the TWD Huyndai SE in the wild. I've only seen one, on the interstate in Colorado. I grabbed a quick pic as I thought I'd probably never see one again. It's a true unicorn.