Excitement is building as the debut of the Marvel Zombies animated series on Disney Plus approaches, scheduled for September 24th. But Marvel Comics is offering a thrilling early treat: a brand new, ultra-gory Marvel Zombies limited series, launching September 17th! This series is part of Marvel’s “Red Band” imprint, designed for mature readers and featuring particularly graphic content, a format introduced in 2024.
This five-part saga comes from the minds behind Kill Your Darlings, Ethan S. Parker and Griffin Sheridan, with striking artwork by Jan Bazaldua (known for their work on Immortal Thor) and vibrant colors by Erick Arciniega. It promises to weave terrifying horror elements into the very fabric of Marvel’s history. The first issue of Marvel Zombies: Red Band presents a horrifying “what if” scenario: what if the fateful space voyage that empowered Reed Richards, Ben Grimm, Sue Storm, and Johnny Storm, transforming them into the Fantastic Four, also gave them an insatiable hunger for human flesh? This concept offers a fresh, gruesome twist on the original Marvel Zombies storyline conceived by Robert Kirkman back in 2005.
Issue number two, hitting shelves on October 22nd, throws a zombified wrench into the iconic Secret Wars narrative. Years after the initial zombie outbreak triggered by the Fantastic Four, a group of survivors finds themselves transported to an alien world, forced to confront undead versions of their beloved superheroes. Greg Land (X-Factor) provides cover art depicting a chaotic, blood-soaked battle featuring zombie renditions of heroes like Hawkeye, the Hulk, and Professor X.
The “Red Band” label signifies a parental advisory, similar to the MA rating given to the Marvel Zombies animation. This is intended to shield younger audiences from potentially frightening content, while simultaneously giving older fans the opportunity to enjoy some truly intense and visceral horror. Marvel has predominantly utilized this label for horror-focused titles such as Blade, Werewolf by Night, and the expansive vampire-themed crossover event, Blood Hunt. However, “Red Band” has also provided a platform for creators to push the boundaries of gore and brutality with characters like the Punisher and Wolverine.
The zombie infection is spreading even further, with a set of 10 chilling variant covers set to release throughout October. Feast your eyes on these decaying, undead versions of Spider-Gwen, Thor, the Silver Surfer, and many more. Be sure to visit your local comic shop and pre-order these limited-edition horrors today!