Marvel Zombies

Author(s): Robert Kirkman (story), Sean Phillips (artist)

Type of Book: Graphic Novel

Publisher: Marvel

Publication Date: 2005-2006 (5 issue mini-series) Available as HB Graphic Novel

Name of Reviewer: JD Gillam

Review: Well, where to start with this?

It does exactly what it says on the tin. Imagine all the Marvel superheroes turned into blood-thirsty zombies? That's the basic premise for this series, and a spectacular one it is too. The origin of the infection is unknown, but the tale is carried on from a short story created in the Fantastic Four comic, where inter-dimensional worlds are found and the virus infects the four superheroes. Now, all the superheroes have the hunger. They decimate Earth in their particular dimension, before moving onto other planets via space in a spectacularly convoluted piece of story-telling.

Considering the history of Marvel themselves, it is refreshing to see that they were prepared to allow their brightest and best to be shown in such gruesome and negative lights. After all, these are the characters that we have read about for decades, always upholding peace and what's right. To suddenly see these knights of virtue descend into madness and gory violence is amazing. There have been a number of sequels to this original series, highlighting some of the lesser known Marvel characters, but the story has been a little confusing and the original is always the best, isn't it? The lines of who is good and who is evil are blurred – some who you would consider to be the bad guys normally are the upstanding pillars, trying to bring an end to the madness. And some of your favourites are the very ones you need to be running from.

If you are a classic comics fan, you may appreciate that the series also puts clever zombie spins on comic covers of old. If you are looking for realism or a well woven storyline, I'm afraid you'll be disappointed – after all, the title surely tells you everything you want to know? If you are able to put aside any semblance of seriousness, and just enjoy the artwork and fall from grace of these super-beings, you'll have a fun time.

With Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead) on board, you know that zombie mayhem is going to come, only this is ramped up beyond belief. Add to that the fact that Kirkman works on numerous Marvel titles, then you know that he has a strong knowledge base to work from to create this alternative universe to put a grin on the faces of all zombie lovers everywhere. The artwork doesn't pull any punches, showing you exactly what is going on. As a comics fan myself, I loved this. It's exactly what the genre needs. A bit of harmless fun where no character development is needed as you already know them. So, instead, we jump straight into the action and watch grandiose battles between caped crusaders, fighting over fleshy scraps to try and sate their hunger. Kirkman even admits in his introduction notes that no matter how disgusting he made the issues, Marvel didn't make him change anything. That's a marriage made in heaven for zombie fans. Oh, and just one last strange quirk that may be of interest – the editor of this graphic novel is none other then Ralph Macchio (The Karate Kid!) Surreal enough for you?

 

Zombie Fear Factor: 3 Brains out of 5

This is tough. Obviously, having Hulk, Spiderman, Iron Man et al as zombies is frightening – if they were real. After all, a super-powered zombie would be bad enough, but a legion of them? Bye, bye humanity! You can imagine that the Earth would be decimated in days if it were true. However, as they aren't real, it's tough to say exactly how scary they are, so I'll have to sit on the fence on this one. Another reason to sit on that fence is the in-fighting that goes on. Sometimes it's comical to read, but then considering the medium we're talking here, maybe that's the idea!

Zombie Behaviour: 2 Brains out of 5

Low score here because although they are zombies and they eat the flesh of the living, they aren't realistic. They still talk. They still have use of their superpowers. They still have the function to plan and work things out. They are even incredibly difficult to kill in the usual ways. One character is basically scalped straight through the brain, yet loses no motor functions. Decapitated heads can still talk and even eat. But these characters ARE superheroes and so any sensible expectations must be ignored. It wouldn't be much of a read if they could be easily destroyed now would it?

Zombie Threat: 5 Brains out of 5

Oh, come on. These Marvel superheroes are infected, turn into zombies and decimate Earth, eating every living thing. We never stood a chance. In future parts of the series, the heroes manage to move inter-dimensionally to find new sources of food, so it seems that life as it is, everywhere, is doomed. We can only hope that there are some uninfected heroes who can fight back or maybe some zombified heroes listen to their conscience? Otherwise it doesn't look good, whatever dimension you live in.

Gore Content: 3 Brains out of 5

As a graphic novel, it is very easy to score this as the gore is right there on the page to be seen. Limbs are torn from bodies. Heads are decapitated and scalped. Legs are broken and flesh is feasted upon in copious amounts. Unlike The Walking Dead, Kirkman's vision is allowed the use of colour here, and red is not only used in the costumes of the heroes, instead spilling from the veins of fallen characters. I've only given this three stars however as it could have been pushed so much further, but again realism is an issue, so no real complaints when you consider that these heroes usually do everything to avoid death or injury when defeating their enemies. The rulebook is out of the window here.

Overall Quality: 3 Brains out of 5

If you don't like comics or Marvel characters specifically (maybe you're more of a DC fan?) then you probably won't appreciate this offering. Likewise, if you don't like anything zombie related with it's tongue in cheek, you may not like this either. However, if this sounds like it ticks all your boxes, then treat yourself to a fabulous little creation by people who love these characters and actually do them justice when they are completely out of their comfort zone. I won't suggest that you purchase all the sequels however, as the Marvel lore and characters become a little bit peculiar if you aren't completely into them. Plus the story is stretched a bit too far in the long run.

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