Marvel Zombies - A Review

Back in 2005 Marvel Comics released the five-issue limited series entitled Marvel Zombies. Written by Robert Kirkman, hot off the success of The Walking Dead which premiered 2 years earlier, it depicted a dark and terrible world where a zombie virus had overtaken most of earth’s greatest heroes (and villains). The title sold like hot cakes, with a variety of iconic variant covers painted by artist Arthur Suydam.

The concept of the Marvel Zombies actually made their first appearance a few months prior to the release of the limited series, in Ultimate Fantastic Four issues 21 – 23, written by Mark Millar, with some amazing photo realistic art by Greg Land. The success of the initial series guaranteed various specials and sequels, set on Earth – 2149, the reality where the zombie virus was first unleashed.

The franchise even crossed over with Ash from the Evil Dead/Army of Darkness series, where we ultimately find out that it was the powerful character of Sentry (Thunderbolts*) who first brought “The Hunger” to this timeline, devouring most of the population in some very gory and heinous ways.

To be noted, the term Marvel Zombie has a long history dating all the way back to the 1970’s, where Stan “The Man” Lee himself, along with several editors and staff, frequently used the term to describe the most die-hard Marvel fans. Those who would read even the “worst” books and write to the letters pages.

This goes hand in hand with many of the classic horror titles coming from the company throughout this period, including Tomb of Dracula, Werewolf by Night, and Tales of the Zombie. There was even a period of time, until the 1990’s, when Marvel owned the copyright of the term “zombie”, though it has since entered the public domain.

A lot has happened with the Marvel Zombies over the past two decades, including a brand new “Red Band” comic book series, as well as the newly dropped 4 episode event on Disney+ (for those who didn’t recently cancel their subscriptions in “protest”). The animated series itself is a spin-off of the popular What If…? episode #5 from the first season (2021), continuing the story.

While I’ve become a bit burnt out on the over-saturation of zombies in recent years, I was always a fan of the Marvel Zombies' line, and have been looking forward to the new series, which is the first MCU animated feature to be rated TV-MA. After binge watching all 4 episodes today, which runs about 2 ½ hours, I have some thoughts.

First, the positives come in the fact that the animation is pretty great, and has plenty of the gore and evisceration that one might expect coming from this title. The action is steady, and there are plenty of cameos. The tone is dark and the characterization is well paced.

The series features the voice talents of such actors as David Harbour, Florence Pugh, Hailee Steinfeld, Elizabeth Olsen and more mainstays of the MCU reprising their live-action roles. The series is shiny, polished, and looks good. 

On the negative side (and this is nothing against actress Iman Vellani who plays Ms. Marvel, because she seems like a sweet-heart in real life, who is knowledgeable on the source material), but they arguably took one of the least popular characters, Ms. Marvel, and made her the main heroine of the new Marvel Zombies animated series. 

In fact, by in large, most of the main characters here are B-listers, though we do get an awesome combination of Blade and Moon Knight, with “Blade Knight” who pretty much kicks ass at every opportunity and was a welcome addition.

Speaking of opportunities, this all seems like a bit of a missed opportunity for Marvel to fully lean into horror. Instead, in eye-rolling Marvel fashion, we have lots of jokes, one liners, and zingers which continually makes light of the fact that 99% of the population have become mindless, undead flesh eaters, and humanity is basically over.

Seriously y’all, everybody is dead.

Yes, there is some emotional gravitas with the loss of several supporting characters along the way (Red Guardian cries in damn near every episode), but it lacks a more grim and gritty “realism” you might hope for from the series.

Because, the only fate I can think of worse than “The Snap”, is the hellscape of the zombie apocalypse. I understand the need for some comedic levity, but it’s really shoehorned in here. Thankfully, no appearance by Howard the Duck this time around.

If you’re a fan of Shang-Chi, Namor, and Hulk, they play prominent roles, as does everyone’s friendly neighborhood Spider-Man (who ironically doesn’t tell any jokes or crack a one-liner). But once again, we have no X-Men characters, Fantastic Four, or anyone ever featured on a Netflix show.

One would think animation would be the perfect playground for integrating every available character, but apparently not. Of course, maybe they’re saving it all for Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars, releasing 2026 and 2027.

Don’t get me wrong, Marvel Zombies isn’t a bad animated series from the MCU. It’s a fun little Halloween watch that sets up an intriguing sequel possibility (even if just in comic book form).

Yet, it doesn’t really live up to the full potential of what could have been, and like Thanos constantly showing up to wreck havoc with the Infinity Glove, is starting to feel like an overused gimmick and trope.

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MAD is the host of the HORROR TO CULTURE podcast, vidcast, and website.