Marvel Zombies: The Bloody Spell That *Actually* Fixed What If...?
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Marvel Zombies finally delivers on the promise of the 'What If...?' series, embracing its MA rating to offer a graphic, emotionally resonant, and genuinely risky reimagining of the MCU's biggest moments, proving that sometimes, you've just gotta let the zombie apocalypse run wild.
Right, so remember when Marvel dropped *What If...?* on us? We were all buzzing, thinking, 'Bloody hell, this is where they finally let the magic off the leash!' We pictured reality-bending shenanigans, genuine character subversions, and perhaps, just perhaps, a bit of glorious chaos. Then it… kinda fizzled out, didn't it? Like casting a powerful spell and it turns into a mild sparkler instead of a world-shattering event. The initial Disney Plus series, bless its cotton socks, felt like it pulled its punches, ultimately veering away from true anthology experimentation to focus on a multiversal team-up that felt a bit too 'safe' for a show built on 'what if'.
But then, from the gooey, zombie-infested ether, a spinoff miniseries shambled in: *Marvel Zombies*. And fair dinkum, this one is the chaotic, glorious spell we were actually promised. It’s like the universe finally heard our whispered 'what ifs' and decided to go full mad scientist, accidentally blowing a hole through reality to show us what happens when you actually commit to the bit. This isn't just a rehash; it's a graphic, twisted reimagining that delivers on the true potential of those initial comic book concepts.
Now, for those who dipped their toes into the first season of *What If...?*, you might recall the 'Zombies!' episode. It was a decent taster, a promise of something more audacious. And director Bryan Andrews, alongside writer Zeb Wells, took that delicious cliffhanger and ran with it, transforming it into a full-blown narrative that recontextualizes some of the MCU's biggest moments. We're talking *Avengers: Infinity War* and *Avengers: Endgame* – but drenched in, well, zombie guts. The heroes converge on Wakanda to face a zombified Thanos (as if the original wasn't enough bother!), sacrificing themselves in vain as the plague just... keeps going. Where *Endgame* jumps ahead to fix things with time travel, *Marvel Zombies* dwells in the horrific aftermath, forcing its new heroes to grapple with a truly broken world.
And what a brilliant canvas for the MCU’s Phase Four characters! This series actually gives them room to breathe and, ironically, *live* up to their potential. We get Kamala Khan, whose magical bangle arrives just as the world ends, her youthful optimism shining like a beacon in the apocalypse. Kate Bishop, taking up the Hawkeye mantle, isn't just a mentee; she's a survivor hunted by a zombified Clint Barton, grappling with the legacy of her mentor in the most brutal way imaginable. And Riri Williams? She's far more compelling here than in her own show, rocking armor salvaged from Tony Stark's headless corpse – talk about an upgrade in both grit and narrative stakes. The road trip through the zombie apocalypse might be a classic trope, but Iman Vellani’s performance sells Kamala’s determination to find hope amidst the carnage, making you genuinely root for these new faces.
What’s genuinely impressive is how *Marvel Zombies* fixes things other MCU properties fumbled. Take Thor, for instance. The broken, 'Lebowski' Thor in *Endgame* was played for laughs, a bit of a comedic relief. Here, in *Marvel Zombies*, he's a tragic, scarred figure – the weight of his losses etched onto every frame. It's a respectful, poignant take that gives his character the gravitas he deserves. My only minor quibble, and it’s a Jeff-ism, is that I would've loved more time exploring S.H.I.E.L.D.'s underwater prison, the Raft, now under Baron Zemo's control. Imagine the power dynamics, the 'security versus freedom' dilemmas in a post-apocalyptic setting – a truly compelling RPG side-quest just waiting to happen, mate.
But let's talk about the gore. Oh, the glorious, glorious gore. The MA rating isn't just for shock value; it's an integral part of the storytelling. Bryan Andrews' fight scenes are striking, even without the viscera, but the blood and guts elevate the stakes and underscore the brutality of this universe. The concept of the 'Valley of the Fallen Gods,' where deathless heroes are locked in eternal battle, is a visual feast and a clever subversion of the endless 'who would win?' debates. And seeing a zombified, legless Captain America going toe-to-toe with Red Guardian? Hilarious, horrific, and perfectly executed. There's even a frantic, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt retelling of Shang-Chi's origin during the initial outbreak, showing his father's complex loyalties.
And dare I say it, *Marvel Zombies* gives us a far more compelling villainous Wanda Maximoff than *Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness* ever did. The zombie Scarlet Witch from the original *What If...?* episode was disturbing, but here, she’s truly terrifying as the 'Queen of the Dead.' Her pursuit isn't just about raw power; it's a seductive promise of surrender, a masterclass in psychological warfare that makes her a truly formidable antagonist. This is the kind of character development and villainy that gamers crave in their narratives, where stakes are high and motivations are clear, however twisted.
So, what does this all mean for the broader MCU? *What If...?* should have been a playground for ambition, a place to genuinely explore different character paths and plot lines, rather than focusing on the Watcher's dilemmas or goofy scenarios. *Marvel Zombies* asks a much more interesting question: 'What if Disney was finally willing to take creative risks?' Its bleak, uncompromising view of the MCU offers a tantalizing glimpse at a more exciting, less constrained future for the franchise. It’s a stark reminder that sometimes, blowing things up (literally) is the only way to build something truly new and exciting. And honestly, isn't that what gaming, and indeed, good storytelling, is all about?
This article was inspired by a review originally published on Polygon.
Tags: Marvel, MCU, Animation, Horror, Storytelling
Original article: Polygon