Marvel Zombies Full Series Review: A gory, satisfying MCU spinoff
Marvel Zombies theatrical release poster. Photo Credit- Instagram
Marvel’s What If…? may have been paused after three seasons, but its zombie-infested universe lives on in Marvel Zombies, a new animated spinoff. Expanding on the 2021 What If… Zombies?! episode, this four-episode series dives into a ravaged MCU where a zombie plague has decimated civilization. Survivors like Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani), Ironheart (Dominique Thorne), Hawkeye (Hailee Steinfeld), Shang-Chi (Simu Liu), and Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) fight to reclaim their world against the formidable Queen of the Dead, Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen). Packed with blood, gore, and surprising heart, Marvel Zombies delivers what the MCU’s Multiverse Saga has struggled to achieve.
The series picks up five years after the zombie apocalypse began, following a group of heroes navigating a bleak, undead-ridden world. While it doesn’t reinvent the zombie genre, sticking closely to familiar survival horror tropes, Marvel Zombies distinguishes itself in two key ways. First, it embraces a no-holds-barred approach to the MCU, where even major heroes face gruesome fates, and unlikely alliances form in a world without plot armour. Creators Bryan Andrews and Zeb Wells explore the long-term fallout of a zombie-plagued MCU with a freedom the original What If…? episode couldn’t achieve in its limited runtime.
Second, Marvel Zombies succeeds where the Multiverse Saga falters: it meaningfully connects its characters. Focusing on Phase 4 and 5 heroes, the series builds compelling dynamics, like the charming Kamala/Kate/Riri trio, which taps into the unfulfilled Young Avengers potential from The Marvels. Characters like Shang-Chi, Katie (Awkwafina), and Jimmy Woo (Randall Park) shine as post-apocalyptic raiders, while Blade (Todd Williams) reimagined as “Blade Knight” under Khonshu’s influence (F. Murray Abraham) is a standout. The absence of Mahershala Ali’s Blade is a minor disappointment, hinting his Eternals cameo may be his only MCU appearance.
The series’ first three episodes follow a predictable pattern, heroes seek refuge in familiar MCU locations, only to be overrun by zombies. However, the character-driven moments, like the touching bond between Kamala and Red Guardian (David Harbour), elevate the stakes and make the losses hit hard. The finale breaks free of this formula, delivering an Avengers: Endgame-level spectacle with a massive battle that leverages the grotesque zombie universe to thrilling effect. While the What If…? style animation can feel flat in quieter scenes, it transforms into vibrant, anime-like energy during action sequences.
The finale’s scope and tension are exceptional, with the fate of an entire universe on the line. Its bittersweet ending, though potentially divisive, feels authentic to the story’s grim tone. Marvel Zombies may not have been the most anticipated What If…? spinoff, but it proves its worth by blending horror, heart, and epic stakes. For fans frustrated by the Multiverse Saga’s lack of cohesion, this series offers a refreshing, character-driven alternative that makes the most of its undead playground.
Final take
Marvel Zombies is a bloody, entertaining spinoff that outperforms much of the MCU’s Multiverse Saga. While its first three episodes lean on familiar zombie tropes, the strong character dynamics and a jaw-dropping, Endgame-worthy finale make it a must-watch.
