Marvel Zombies isn’t your typical MCU fare, where capes clash for justice. Instead, Disney+ has unleashed an animated universe where the question isn’t “Who will save the day?” but “Who’s next on the zombie menu?” Intended for a mature audience, this series expands the animated multiverse introduced in What If…, bringing in twisted versions of classic heroes and antiheroes like Kamala Khan, Shang-Chi, and zombified iterations of Captain Marvel and Steve Rogers.
The show, developed under the creative eye of Zeb Wells, sticks to the gore-laden roots of the original Marvel Zombies comic series, which itself was a fan-favorite spin-off from Ultimate Fantastic Four. Here, Marvel’s usual humor gives way to a darker, more morbid flavor. What we get is a universe stripped of heroics, where survival is more about brutality than bravery, with fan favorites re-imagined as part of a near-endless, undead horde.
An entertaining twist on Marvel’s usual formula is the way this series handles its heroes—or what’s left of them. Marvel Zombies teeters on the edge of being deliciously over-the-top, as we see characters traditionally celebrated for their strength and resilience now defined by their hunger. Kamala Khan, aka Ms. Marvel, takes center stage as a “Frodo of the apocalypse,” guiding the audience through scenes that toe the line between camp and calamity. Ms. Marvel’s presence here seems crafted for fans who crave some MCU continuity but are ready for a significant, zombie-bite-sized departure from the norm.
One standout feature of this series is the animation style, which dials up the grotesque in every frame. Characters appear bruised, broken, and bloodied, often beyond recognition, and every scene feels like a twisted tribute to the original comics. The animation not only adds to the suspense but also allows the audience to truly feel the weight of this zombified world—a place where nothing is sacred, not even your favorite hero.
In terms of tone, the show has leaned heavily into horror while still threading in a trace of satire. This isn’t the sort of meta-comedy seen in Deadpool, nor does it go full nihilist like The Boys. Instead, Marvel Zombies revels in its absurdity, asking viewers to take the undead Avengers as seriously as they would a season finale in the main MCU storyline. There’s a knowing wink embedded in the blood-soaked scenes, as if Marvel is saying, “Yes, we know this is ridiculous—and you love it.”
For fans of zombie horror, Marvel Zombies is a satisfying dive into what happens when a superhero universe goes wrong. For Marvel purists, it might be a harder sell. There’s no promise of redemption or heroism here, only a grim look at what could happen if Earth’s Mightiest Heroes were turned into flesh-eating monsters. Yet, this very premise is what makes Marvel Zombies worth watching. It’s an imaginative experiment for the MCU, almost a satirical statement about the near-immortal superhero trope: after all, what better way to remind audiences of a hero’s humanity than to show them as monsters?
Marvel Zombies might be a niche addition to the MCU, but it’s one that feels wholly unique. The series’ gamble on an intense, TV-MA rating—unheard of in Disney’s lineup—opens new doors for the multiverse. It may not have the depth of character development we’ve seen in recent shows like Loki or WandaVision, but it’s not aiming for subtlety. Instead, it’s here to scratch the itch for anyone who wants to see their favorite heroes as something more primal, unrestrained by any moral code.
In conclusion, Marvel Zombies isn’t here to save the MCU. It’s here to sink its teeth into it, leaving a memorable mark that’s both horrifying and hilarious in equal measure. For fans who’ve been craving a taste of something different, something grotesque, and unabashedly bold, Marvel Zombies might just be the surprise treat of the year. It’s the MCU gone wild—fun, frantic, and satisfyingly flesh-eating. And maybe, just maybe, it’s the dose of horror that superhero TV never knew it needed.
