By Robert Kirkman of The Walking Dead fame, Marvel Zombies depicts a threat that first came from the skies: a horrific virus that turned nearly every man, woman, and child on Earth into undead zombies. Even Marvel’s greatest heroes, including Captain America, Spider-Man and the Hulk, have succumbed, driven only by one mindless goal: to feed on human flesh. But with only a small number of survivors remaining against this unstoppable tide of hunger, what happens when the zombies finally run out of humans to eat?!

Comic-book fans devoted enough to read only Marvel titles have long been dubbed “Marvel zombies,” but even the most passionate reader could not have predicted the astounding success of this series. Writer Robert Kirkman crafts a shocking, spellbinding tale of a Marvel Universe infected by a worldwide zombie plague. Veteran artist Sean Phillips fleshes out Kirkman’s tale, ably transforming once-familiar Marvel heroes into disturbing visions of decaying flesh and rotting bones.

For more horrific goodness, check out our Horror Month page! Who’s already read Marvel Zombies? Post your opinions below!

Let’s be as real as we can when discussing superheroes and zombies, because I’m about to drop some serious geek science on your face: There are plenty of supers in the Marvel multiverse who have some form of invulnerability that should have helped them avoid infection during the zombie virus outbreak. The fact that the Sentry–who I hate, but who also has the power of 10,000 suns coursing though his schizo-superman body–is patient zero in the overall MZ plot is the biggest example of this ill logic. But at the very least, the various creators who have taken a go at telling their portion of the Marvel Zombies tale should have given a bigger role to the man whose main power is that he has unbreakable skin–Luke Cage.

Unbreakable, impenatrable skin = no bitey bitey. Cage should have been one of the last uninfected survivors, if not THE sole human holdout in the original MZ outbreak. He could have even been paired with a zombified Danny Rand who, through the power of his super chi mojo and because his bulky, unbitable buddy is helping him through the pain, holds on to some semblance of his humanity to help fight off the infected. You know you’d love to read that comic!

But instead, poor Power Man got no respect. He was among the first of the infected in the very first Marvel Zombies story by Mark Millar and Greg Land back in Ultimate Fantastic Four.

I know this is just armchair editing at this point (and maybe a little wishful thinking), but if they do another MZ mini, Cage deserves his chance to shine as the one true hero to hire in Marvel zombieland.

You may recall from earlier in the week, I loved me some Giant Sized Old Man Logan. I even went so far as to suggest that the mini-series could be the best–or at least my favorite–comic of the year.

But then I read the rest of my weekly pull, and remembered just how good Greg Rucka and JH Williams’ run on the Batwoman-centric Detective Comics has been. The previous issue wasn’t as good as their stunning first issue, but this latest–issue #857–was great. Stellar art, excellent action, and a tense, tight plot involving weapons of mass destruction, jumping from planes, rapid-fire character development, and plenty of face kicking. I still couldn’t care less about the Question backup story, though, which I suppose could be considered a knock against the book as a whole.

Another comic contending for book of the year is Fantastic Four, which I started reading again this year for Old Man Logan-mastermind Mark Millar’s run, but I’m definitely staying for the Hickman. New writer Jonathan Hickman (along with artist Dale Eaglesham) has actually one-upped Millar’s think big, then go bigger approach to the FF with what has so far been a great ride, with a focus on Reed Richards learning that maybe there is such a thing as doing too much good. or maybe just too many Reeds doing all the good.

We can’t forget Marvel Zombies Return–yet another good time that I’m having with a mini, and this one is weekly! I won’t pretend this book is in contention with any of the above for “best of the year,” but it has been a blast. True to it’s name, it is a definite return to the twisted fun of the original Marvel Zombies series.

I loved Amazing Spider-Man #606, too. I know for some it may feel like the creators are just repeating beats from old Spidey continuity, which might be considered a step back. But I missed the boat on the original Spidey/Black Cat episodes from back in the day, but I’ve always liked the idea of that relationship, enjoyed the way it was recently reimagined in the Spectacular Spider-Man cartoon, and welcome it back to the comic proper. Black Cat has a fun personality to read and, as far as drawings go, she’s not too hard to look at either. It’s also worth noting that Mike McKone’s artwork in this issue is right up there with the rest of my favorites for the week.

Speaking of great artists and spider-themed spandex, I picked up the print version of the Brian Bendis/Alex Maleev Spider-Woman on a whim. See, I tried watching the motion comic version–which was the whole big deal about this comic in the first place (it was  written and layed out specifically with the motion comic platform in mind), and I didn’t like it. I couldn’t get through more than a minute of the motion version…something about the slow pace and the not-what-I-expected voice acting turned me off right away. I guess I just like my comics on paper, though, because reading it the way comics were meant to be read left me liking the book just fine. I’m a fan of Bendis, even if all his characters sound the same and all his books are decompressed. I’m an even bigger fan of Bendis when he’s writing for Alex Maleev, who manages to compliment the scripted mood, character beats, and bursts of action so well. I’m willing to stick around for a few issues just to enjoy the creative collaboration, even if I don’t know that I particularly care all that much about story they’re telling.

I also don’t care all that much about the plight of the Marvel mutant,these days, but I do think Matt Fraction is, at the very least, writing the best Cyclops I’ve read in a while. Uncanny X-Men has been on the cusp of droppage for a while, but there’s always some clever twist or strong character moment that tricks me into caring just enough to come back the next month. Fraction’s Cyclops won me over for at least one more issue.

Robert Kirkman will get me back for another issue, too, for Invincible, but this week’s issue #66–focusing on Invincible’s dad spilling secrets about the dwindling Viltrumite empire to Allen the Alien–was all exposition and quite dull. It’s all big important information that will be relevant later (you know, when characters get back to punching faces off), but the issue felt like a space filler.

And speaking of space fillers…what happened to my one-time favorite comic–Mike Allred’s Madman?! I picked up issue #17, which I think is the last issue of the current series, before some sort of relaunch I absolutely will not buy. What a self-indulgent load of boring, unentertaining blecch. The art is beautiful and playful and quirky as always, but it’s the writing that kills it for me. I am so happy Allred has taken to doing more work-for-hire art in the Marvel and DC Universes, because either I grew out of Madman or the book has just gotten dumb. I guess if you read it as a lost chapter to Red Rocket 7–rather than a relevant or representative part of the usually adorably awesome Frank Einstein’s–you might not hate it as much as I did…but I didn’t like RR7 all that much either. C’est la vie.

That’s all for this we…Oh, I almost forgot–New Avengers #57. The fact that I forgot it, even though it is in the stack of books I keep looking over at as I write this, doesn’t reflect well on it, but I promise, I didn’t dislike it. But it was only an okay read. Despite a ton of characters, good and evil, getting all sorts of sreentime (pagetime?), and assorted subplots related to Dark Reign threading through this book each month, not all that much of anything ever happens in this series. It is the worst example of Bendis’ bad habit for decompressed storytelling. Stuart Immonen is a welcome addition to the creative team, illustrating Bendis’ ongoing epic about the kitchen table in Bucky Barnes’ safehouse/Avenger’s HQ. If I were pinching pennies, this would definitely be another very droppable book, simply because it feels like it goes nowhere each issue, no matter how good (or okay) each issue is. 

That is all for my week in comics. How was yours?

The Marvel Zombies Return To Earth

After they gorged themselves on (just about) everything in the universe, Robert Kirkman (Marvel Zombies, Ultimate X-Men) and Eisner-Winning Sean Philips (Marvel Zombies, Criminal) bring the Marvel Zombies back home in Marvel Zombies 2 #1 (of 5)! Taking place forty years after the original best-selling series, Marvel Zombies 2 features an unprecedented event of stomach churning proportions: the MARVEL ZOMBIES CIVIL WAR!

This amazing sequel limited series reunites Robert Kirkman and Sean Phillips as they continue the amazing smash hit series that won two Spike TV Scream Awards (Best Comic Book Series and Best Comic Book Artist: Sean Philips), and went back to press numerous times, both in single issues and in collections. Each issue of Marvel Zombies 2 features gorgeous new zombie interpretations of classic Marvel covers by the critically acclaimed Arthur Suydam!

What awaits the Marvel Zombies back on Earth is beyond anything even they (or you) could have possibly conceived! Will any of these monsters rediscover their humanity? Or will the fledgling human population find that their days are numbered?

And don’t miss more Zombie goodness in October, as the now-classic Marvel Zombies covers are collected in Marvel Zombies: The Covers HC; the oversized Marvel Zombies: Dead Days Poster arrives; and go behind the scenes of this pop culture phenomenon in Marvel Spotlight: Marvel Zombies. Plus, next week brings Marvel Zombies: The Book Of Angels, Demons & Various Monstrosities, exploring the secrets of the Zombie-verse and revealing the true history of the Marvel Zombies!

True believers, keep your eyes peeled for special, as select Marvel titles will ship with unannounced, top secret Zombie variant covers! That’s right—October is Marvel Zombie Month at your local comic store!

The Marvel Zombies are back, daring to ask: “Whose stomach are you in?” The answer comes in the can’t-miss Marvel Zombies 2 #1.

MARVEL ZOMBIES: THE BOOK OF ANGELS, DEMONS & VARIOUS MONSTROSITIES ( JUL072178)
Written by JEFF CHRISTIANSEN, MICHAEL HOSKIN, STUART VANDAL, CHAD ANDERSON, MADISON CARTER, DAVID WILTFONG, RONALD BYRD, ERIC J. MOREELS, ANTHONY FLAMINI & AL SJOERDSMA
Cover by GREG LAND
Parental Advisory …$3.99
On-Sale—9/26/07

MARVEL ZOMBIES: THE COVERS HC (AUG072292)
Featuring the artwork of ARTHUR SUYDAM, GREG LAND & KYLE HOTZ.
104 Pages/ Parental Advisory …$19.99
On-Sale—10/24/07

MARVEL SPOTLIGHT: MARVEL ZOMBIES (AUG072241)
Written by JOHN RHETT THOMAS
Rated T+ …$2.99
FOC—10/04/07, On-Sale—10/24/07

MARVEL ZOMBIES DEAD DAYS POSTER (AUG072314)
55×20 Color Poster…$15.99
ON-SALE—10/3/07

With the quick sell-outs of past Marvel Zombies collections, Marvel advises retailers to check their orders on Marvel Zombies: The Covers HC. And don’t miss the exciting return of everyone’s favorite undead super humans in Marvel Zombies II!

This October, there’s only one question you need to answer: whose stomach are you in?

MARVEL ZOMBIES: THE COVERS HC (AUG072292)
Featuring the artwork of ARTHUR SUYDAM, GREG LAND & KYLE HOTZ.

104 Pages/ Parental Advisory …$19.99
FOC—9/20/07, On-Sale—10/24/07

MARVEL ZOMBIES 2 #1 (of 5) (AUG072242)
Written by ROBERT KIRKMAN
Penciled by SEAN PHILLIPS
Cover by ARTHUR SUYDAM
Parental Advisory …$2.99
FOC—9/27/07, On-Sale—10/17/07

IN STORES: July 4, 2007

Marvel is proud to announce the unprecedented fifth printing of the Marvel Zombies HC, the critically acclaimed hardcover that has readers chomping at the bit for more of that tasty Zombie goodness! Continuing the Marvel Zombies tradition of new stunning Arthur Suydam covers for each printing, this collection’s cover features a brand new homage to Mary Jane #1! Written by fan favorite Robert Kirkman (Ultimate X-Men) and penciled by Eisner-nominated artist Sean Phillips (Criminal), Marvel Zombies presents a horrifying view of the near future where Marvel’s heroes and villains become zombies. Why does this happen? Who will lead the resistance? And just who makes the best snack for Hank Pym?

Collecting Marvel Zombies #1-5, this hardcover is a must-read for Marvel fans new and old and with this brand new Arthur Suydam cover, how can you not hit the jackpot? Like the other four printings of this hardcover—which have all placed in Diamond’s top ten list each month they shipped—it won’t be around for too long. Don’t miss your chance to own a copy this summer!

MARVEL ZOMBIES HC MARY JANE ZOMBIE COVER (APR078063)
Written by ROBERT KIRKMAN
Penciled by SEAN PHILLIPS
New Cover by ARTHUR SUYDAM
FOC—6/14/07, On-Sale—7/18/07

The quest for the one thing that can save Ash and his crew of survivors takes them to Latveria, home of—Doctor Doom! Who will live, who will die, and who will get their sorry butt tossed into a dungeon after one too many smart-alecky comments to a certain metal-plated monarch? Think fast, ’cause a legion of hungry zombies is on the way!
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$2.99

ARMY OF DARKNESS TM & © 1993-2006 Orion Pictures Corporation. DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT TM & © 2006 DFI.
www.dynamiteentertainment.com

We all know that Marvel Zombies is the hit series featuring the zombie versions of your favorite Marvel heroes. And we all know that it’s one of the most popular new properties in years. But do you know why these heroes became zombies? Or what Spider-Man likes to eat after a big battle? Well True Believer, all those answers and more are coming in Marvel Zombies: Dead Days, a special one-shot from the original series creative team of writer Robert Kirkman and artist Sean Phillips. That’s 48 pages of zombies, super heroes, zombies, hungry Avengers…and did we mention zombies? Dead Days is a prequel to the hit Marvel Zombies mini-series, which has now reached an unprecedented fourth printing in hardcover form. The latest printing features an homage to Avengers #1 on the cover and won’t last long!

Featuring a double gatefold cover homage to X-Men #1 (Vol.2) by Arthur Suydam, Marvel Zombie: Dead Days is the perfect treat for a beautiful spring day. After all, who knows when our favorite heroes will turn into brain eating cannibals? Might as well enjoy a story now!

MARVEL ZOMBIES: DEAD DAYS (MAR072097)
Written by ROBERT KIRKMAN
Penciled by SEAN PHILLIPS
Gatefold cover by ARTHUR SUYDAM
48 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99
FOC- 4/19/07, On Sale- 5/09/07

MARVEL ZOMBIES HC AVENGERS COVER (FEB078088)
Written by ROBERT KIRKMAN
Penciled by SEAN PHILLIPS
New Cover by ARTHUR SUYDAM
136 PGS./Parental Advisory …$19.99
On-Sale – 5/9

Fans Are Hungry For Marvel Zombies/Army Of Darkness #3!

The Marvel Zombies cannot be stopped! And neither can these sell outs as Marvel Zombies/Army of Darkness # 3 has sold out at Diamond. This marks the third straight sell out for the series produced by both Marvel and Dynamite.

Since they first premiered in late 2005, the Marvel Zombies have created both immense fear amongst their fellow Marvel Universe heroes and fan frenzy. Now, teamed up with Ash from Army of Darkness, they’ve proven that they’re a force to be reckoned with.

Fans and critics agree that this the zombies have quickly become fan favorites. Add that to the rabid Army of Darkness fans and you’ve got a major hit. Blake Petit from comixtreme.com agrees, saying that, “putting [Marvel Zombies and Army of Darkness universes] together has really proven to be a perfect fit.”

At this time, Marvel has no plans to go back to press with this issue, although copies may still be available at the retailer level. Also, Marvel advises retailers to check their orders for upcoming issues as the zombies continue to eat their way into everyone’s heart…or brain.

ARMY OF DARKNESS TM & © 1993-2006 Orion Pictures Corporation. DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT TM & © 2006 DFI.

Marvel & Dynamite are pleased to announce that Marvel Zombies/Army Of Darkness #2 has sold out at Diamond. This comes as the Marvel Zombies/Army Of Darkness #1 debuts its second printing variant Captain America #1 “homage” cover, complete with a new Arthur Suydam cover! Featuring Ash, the star of Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead/Army Of Darkness films, and the Marvel Zombies themselves (zombie versions of your favorite Marvel characters), Marvel Zombies/Army Of Darkness has thrilled readers, retailers and critics!

“I enjoyed myself to the very end,” said IGN’s Richard George of this crossover event.

The sentiment was echoed by Matt Klokel of FantomComics.Com, who exclaimed that Marvel Zombies/Army Of Darkness is, “a clever, well thought out story.”

May’s Marvel Zombies/Army Of Darkness #3 will see Ash try to save humanity by searching for the Necronomicon (how does he do that considering the surprise “ending” of issue #2, fans will need to check out #3 to find out), but even with his considerable zombie killing skills, can he survive his battle with Marvel’s Mightiest Heroes, err, Zombies? There’s only one place you’ll find all the answers – true believer!

Retailers Note: Retailers considering increasing orders, the FOC for Marvel Zombies/Army of Darkness #1 Variant Captain America #1 Cover and Marvel Zombies/Army of Darkness #3 is Thursday April 12th at 5PM!

Please note that copies of Marvel Zombies/Army Of Darkness #2 may be available at the retailer level. With the continued strong interest in the Marvel Zombies, Marvel advises retailers to check their orders for upcoming issues. At this time there are no plans to go back to press on Marvel Zombies/Army Of Darkness #2.

MARVEL ZOMBIES/ARMY OF DARKNESS #1 SECOND PRINTING VARIANT (FEB078043)
Written by JOHN LAYMAN
Art by FABIANO NEVES & JUNE CHUNG
Cover by ARTHUR SUYDAM
Parental Advisory …$2.99
FOC – 4/12, On-Sale – 5/2/2007

MARVEL ZOMBIES/ARMY OF DARKNESS #3 (MAR072098)
Written by JOHN LAYMAN
Art by FABIANO NEVES & JUNE CHUNG
Cover by ARTHUR SUYDAM
Parental Advisory …$2.99
FOC – 4/12, On-Sale – 5/2/2007

The Zombie plague spreads, turning an entire world of super-powered heroes and villains into bloodthirsty walking dead! And only one man—armed with a deadly boomstick, a sharp tongue and movie star looks can stand against them. It’s Ashley Williams against the zombie incarnations of Spider-Man, the Punisher, the Avengers and dozens more. These guys don’t stand a chance!
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$2.99
ARMY OF DARKNESS TM & © 1993-2007 Orion Pictures Corporation. DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT TM & © 2007 DFI.

PRICE: 2.99
IN STORES: 2007-04-04

This is it true believers, the cross-over of the century begins here! The Marvel Zombies come face-to-face with Dynamite Entertainment’s Ash from the Army of Darkness! Ash has faced legions of the undead before, but never like this…as he lands in the heart of New York just as the Zombie outbreak begins! See how his actions help turn more heroes and villains into Zombies! Under the watchful eye of Marvel Zombie guru Robert Kirkman, this might just be the comic event of 2007! Plus: The entire series will feature classic “homage” covers from painter Arthur Suydam!
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$2.99

PRICE: 2.99
IN STORES: 2007-03-07

At last—witness the birth of the Marvel Zombies as told by the creative team of the best-selling limited series! Kirkman and Phillips pull out all the stops as they reveal the secret story of the day the Marvel Heroes became brain-eating monsters! Want to see the Avengers eat Jarvis? You won’t get that in this month’s New Avengers, effendi! And we dare you to pry your eyes away from Arthur Suydam’s top-secret double-gatefold zombified homage to a classic 1990′s cover you don’t want to miss.
48 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

PRICE: 3.99
IN STORES: 2007-05-09