Marvel Zombies is a guilty-pleasure comic book for fans of both the super-hero and undead horror genres. Writer Robert Kirkman was an excellent choice to pick up the ball Mark Millar put up in the air in Ultimate Fantastic Four, given Kirkman's success in the zombie genre with The Walking Dead. He approaches the genre from a radically different perspective than one might be accustomed to because the established premise allows a new trait in these zombies: intelligence. It makes for some black humor and genuinely chilling dialogue. I'm not sure if Kirkman can squeeze five issues' worth of story out of this idea, but he's off to a strong start.
After aiding the young Reed Richards from an alternate reality to escape his zombie-infested world and destroying the machine that bridged the gap across dimensions, Magneto sets out to save his own hide from the inexplicable and dangerous hunger of a legion of other undead superhumans. Magneto is overjoyed to discover that he still has allies, colleagues who have managed to take refuge on Asteroid M. Meanwhile, a group of former heroes turned undead eating machines discusses the plight with which it is faced after a thoroughly satisfying meal.
Sean Phillips does a solid job with the art. His style is a significant shift from that of Grg Land, who handled the "Crossover" story arc featuring the Marvel Zombies in Ultimate Fantastic Four. Phillips boasts a much more minimalist style, and it shines through in his depiction of the undead antagonists. Phillips uses shadow to great effect, opting to hint at the characters' monstrous nature with lesser glimpses of their decomposing deformities. Phillips's less realistic approach also suits the goofier side of the story as well. The looser style works well with the darkly cartoony feel of the conversation later on in the book.
Magneto's desperation and the coldness with which the former heroes treat their grisly activities make for a solid super-hero/horror mix here. Zombies are creepy as hell when done right, but Kirkman uses the intelligence these zombies retain to enhance the threat. These Marvel zombies are quick, not staggering blindly down a street. These zombies are organized, not mindless and driven solely by the most crude of instincts. It really sets the story apart from other zombie fare.
This comic series has the bad guys as the focus of the story, and it presents the writer with a challenge... one he's met well. He manages to humanize these Marvel monsters. They're creepy and menacing, yes, but are they evil? It's hard to say. There's regret in some, and acceptance in others. There's a hint of the ethical centres that once existed, but they've been co-opted by a disease, one could argue. The intelligence and remorse the characters exhibit also offers the writer the opportunity for some morbid comedy. It's a darkly funny treat to see the Marvels trying to apply science and common sense to their condition. 7/10
