In the wake of theFantastic Four’shighly anticipated MCU debut, Marvel is killing the team off and turning them all into zombies…at least, in the pages of the publisher’s latesthardcore, R-rated “Red Band” series,which resurrects the fan-favorite Marvel Zombies brand in a story that transforms Marvel’s First Family into Marvel’s first flesh-eaters.
As reported by Popverse, Marvel Zombies: Red Band#1, written by Ethan S. Parker and Griffin Sheridan, with art by Jan Bazaldua, kicks off a five-issue series, which will tell a parallel, zombified version of Marvel history, with a focus on the Fantastic Four.
According to Marvel, the series “unleashes the full potential of Marvel Zombies storytelling.”
Marvel Announces A New “Marvel Zombies” Series, Starring The Fantastic Four
Marvel Zombies: Red Band#1, Written By Ethan S. Parker And Griffin Sheridan; Art By Jan Bazaldua
The exciting premise of the upcomingMarvel Zombies: Red Band#1 goes back to the origins of the modern Marvel Universe, the Fantastic Four’s mission into space, which gifted them the superpowers that they are famous for. In the new, alternate take on these events,the Four return with something much worse: an extraterrestrial zombie virus.
One variant cover for the first issue, for example, features the Four fighting Iron Man, in the original version of his suit.
Seemingly, this will set the Fantastic Four on a path toward wreaking havoc in the formative years of the Marvel Universe. One variant cover for the first issue, for example, features the Four fighting Iron Man, in the original version of his suit, suggesting perhaps he was prompted to become a hero by the threat they posed.
Another variant seemingly teases that this zombified version of Marvel history will extend all the way to the iconic “Secret Wars” crossover event, something that Popverse reported Marvel hinted at in its press release as well. In other words,the latestMarvel Zombiesserieswill have some surprises in store.
Marvel Zombies: Red Band#1, Retro Variant Cover By Scott Koblish
Perhaps the most exciting cover revealed forMarvel Zombies: Red Band#1 is Scott Koblish’s retro variant, done in the style of a weathered, preserved copy of a 1960s-era Marvel Comics issue.The cover includes text which promises “existential mayhem in the mighy Marvel manner,” giving readers just a taste of what to expectfrom the series when it debuts.
The series will apparently be no joke, pushing the boundaries of good taste and the levels of gore possible in a Marvel series, while also redefining theearliest days of Marvel lorein a chaotically fun, unpredictable way. All of this adds up to what might be the most excitingMarvel Zombiesseries yet.
After all, the premise ofMarvel Zombiesis, at its root, something of a novelty. This newRed Bandseries appears as though it seeks to elevate the franchise away from its seemingly throwaway roots, and use it to tell a gripping horror story that envelops theclassic era of theFantastic Four’shistory.
