Landing on Disney+ on September 24th is the new Marvel Animation limited series ‘Marvel Zombies’, which spins off from the zombie-filled episode of ‘What If…?’ and loosely adapts the comic book run.
pWPgLnD2w8vfYutvurnya4Created by Zeb Wells (who serves as head writer and showrunner) and director Bryan Andrews, ‘Marvel Zombies’ features the voices of Iman Vellani (‘The Marvels’), Elizabeth Olsen (‘Avengers: Infinity War’), Florence Pugh (‘Thunderbolts*’), David Harbour (‘Black Widow’), Simu Liu (‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’) Kari Wahlgren, Awkwafina (‘Crazy Rich Asians’) and Dominique Thorne (‘Ironheart’).
Related Article: TV Review: ‘What If…?’ Season 3
Initial Thoughts
While Marvel’s Disney+ output has been somewhat hit-and-miss, the Marvel Animation team has been enjoying much more success, and ‘Marvel Zombies’ certainly counts as one of those.
It may not be perfect, but it’s certainly a lot of gory, darkly-hued entertainment.
Script and Direction
Zeb Wells has enjoyed unusual power in the Marvel world, overseeing much of the animated output, but with good reason –– he and his writing team have crafted sharp, clever takes on the MCU, with ‘Zombies’ as no exception.
It’s not for the faint of heart and certainly dives into some dark areas (don’t get attached to all the characters, even some well-known ones), but it delivers the Young Avengers action many have been waiting for on the big screen, albeit in bite-sized chunks.
Bryan Andrews’ direction is also solid. Though the animation might not be the most advanced, it’s certainly stylish enough and gets the job done.
Cast and Performances
Featuring the usual mix of MCU veteran performers and some talented voice types who imitate others, this is a great showcase particularly for the infectious enthusiasm of Iman Vellani as Kamala Khan and the usual great work of Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova. Kudos also to Simu Liu, whose Shang-Chi really goes through it in this story, and to Todd Williams, who voices a very different version of Blade from any we’ve seen before.
Final Thoughts
‘Marvel Zombies’ is by turns full of action and drama, some impressive set-pieces and ideas, and emotionally fun performances from MCU actors and others.
It’s funny despite the post-apocalyptic storyline, and with just four episodes, doesn’t outstay its welcome.
‘Marvel Zombies’ receives 80 out of 100.
What’s the plot of ‘Marvel Zombies’?
After the Avengers are overtaken by a zombie plague, a desperate group of survivors discover the key to bringing an end to the super-powered undead, racing across a dystopian landscape and risking life and limb to save their world.
Who stars in ‘Marvel Zombies’?
Iman Vellani as Kamala Khan
Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova
Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff
David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov
Simu Liu as Shang-Chi
Awkwafina as Katy Chen
Hailee Steinfeld as Kate Bishop
Randall Park as Jimmy Woo
Todd Williams as Blade Knight
List of MCU TV Series:
- ‘WandaVision’ (2021)
- ‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’ (2021)
- ‘Loki’ (2021)
- ‘What If…?’ (2021)
- ‘Hawkeye’ (2021)
- ‘Moon Knight’ (2022)
- ‘Ms. Marvel’ (2022)
- ‘She-Hulk: Attorney at Law’ (2022)
- ‘Secret Invasion’ (2023)
- ‘Echo’ (2024)
- ‘Agatha All Along’ (2024)
- ‘Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man’ (2025)
- ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ (2025)
- ‘Ironheart’ (2025)
