In the 2000s, the zombie genre experienced a remarkable rise across different media, from comics to video games, driven by iconic works like The Walking Dead and Dawn of the Dead. The trend revived intensely in popular culture, and Marvel did not fall behind, launching in 2006 a zombie universe that incorporated its superheroes. Now, the company has decided to revive this concept through an animated miniseries for adults titled Marvel Zombies on Disney+, a project that features new heroes in a zombie universe with a focus on action and macabre humor.
Marvel Zombies is here to stay
Despite the potential of the premise, the series has been criticized for presenting a predictable story and sparse character development. The new heroes, such as Blade, Ms. Marvel, and Shang-Chi, although they have appealing potential, are portrayed with forced and unconvincing interactions, resulting in a script that fails to surprise the viewer. The narrative feels repetitive and lacks the depth that many expected after the success of the original comic.
However, the animation stands out for its graphic violence and constant action that provides entertainment, albeit superficial. The series embraces the “rule of cool,” presenting frantic sequences of action and gore that, while enjoyable, fail to achieve originality. The focus on blood and dismemberment can be fun, but it limits the exploration of relationships between characters and the already known dynamics.
As Marvel Zombies quickly unfolds over four episodes, the project feels more like an introduction to new heroes than an innovation within the Marvel universe. While they have managed to capture some iconic moments, the final result feels more like fan fiction than an effort to expand the rich Marvel universe, leaving fans eager for more surprising and deeper narratives in the future.
