This week we’re taking a trip to Earth-4775 as the Punisher battles the undead in Marvel Zombies – War Zone #1,and in the rapid rundown we check-in on the fallout of Doom’s demise with Black Panther & Namor – Doomed #1!
Marvel Zombies: War Zone #1
Writer: Tom Waltz
Artist: Jamie Infante
Colorist: Bryan Valenza
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Cover Artists: Tony Parkerand David Curiel
A new year, a new take on the Marvel Zombies concept. Each iteration of the Marvel Zombies following the initial version that debuted in the pages of Ultimate Fantastic Four has been focused on a different set of heroes or aspects. Some do lean into the survival horror aspect or attempt to explain the lore behind the outbreak, but occasionally we get a mini-series that is just heroes going to work and killing zombies. With this week’s MARVEL ZOMBIES: WAR ZONE #1 we get, as the name implies, a Punisher centric comic that features Marvel’s signature anti-hero running down zombies. The Marvel Zombies of this world are less zombie virus walking dead type but more of a mystical variant closer to original zombie folklore. Now with that said, these zombies are still flesh-eaters and can seemingly turn others into zombies with just a bite, but they are under the thrall of Gorgon, the samurai mutant leader of Hydra. Marvel really hasn’t used Gorgon much since X of Swords concluded so making him the primary antagonist is certainly a choice, but one I can get behind.
Writer Tom Waltzstructures the story as the Punisher set against an onslaught of zombies on Manhattan, trapped under a quarantine dome. It lends itself to Punisher’s motif of hard-boiled inner monologue and war journal entries. Waltz’s command of Frank’s voice is strong here and helps the comic lean into its grindhouse trappings. We do get to see a hit of the inciting outbreak and initial failure to contain. Spoilers: it isn’t too far off from the OG Marvel Zombies outbreak. We do, however, get a glimpse of the world outside of the dome, seemingly unaffected by the outbreak, as the surviving heroes debate what to do to save what few survivors may be left behind. I do wish there was a by more attention to this plot point, but I also understand the point of this book is to see Frank Castle mow down zombies, and it delivers.
Artist Jamie Infante does a stellar job with the updated zombie designs. It is difficult making the zombies stand out from past iterations. Given the more mystical nature to this batch of the undead, Infante opts for a more supernatural look to the eyes and even the viscera. Colorist Bryan Valenzauses a more unnatural color palette of greens and purples that really pumps up the occult angle than before. The contrast between the colors also aids in making the comic a visual treat. The action is dynamic, easy to follow, and still very gory despite the unnatural colors. By going with the more contrasting colors, we also get a comic that avoids the Marvel Red-Band treatment.
For example, the visceral splatter from Punisher’s gunshots and knife stabs are graphic but thanks to the green blood, it is not considered too violent! That’s American sensibilities right there. Joking aside, I actually like the green blood splatter as it’s visually more interesting and contrasting to the page itself. These creative choices regarding the art design makes for a much more stylistic comic. The marriage in line art and colors is top notch and standouts in the sea of Marvel house style.
Overall, MARVEL ZOMBIES: WAR ZONE #1is a great start to a very grindhouse comic that is exactly what the name implies. It delivers on the premise and it’s a premise that I can’t help but love.
- BLACK PANTHER & NAMOR: DOOMED #1
Black Panther & Namor: Doomed #1 - To say that there is zero love between T’Challa and Namor is an understatement. In their shared history, Namor has attacked Wakanda and later convinced the newly formed Wakandan parliament to exile T’Challa, forcing him to protect Wakanda from the shadows. Writers Ethan S. Parker&Griffin Sheridan pick up after the events of the cosmic mini-series Imperial and the short-lived Black Panther: Intergalactic.T’Challa has been reinstalled as ruler of Wakanda, and this is where we find him, reestablishing his connection to his home and settling into a home that isn’t 100% welcoming to his rule. But now, in a twist of fate, after he abdicated the throne, it’s Namor who protects his people from the shadows when Atlantis is attacked from the underworld by Doctor Doom. (Side note, I highly recommend Captain America’s current “Hell’s Angel” arc to see what Doom has been up to since losing the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme.) Following the attack, Namor, badly injured, seeks help from Wakanda, unaware that T’Challa is back in command, setting the stage for this very uneasy alliance. Following up on his run on Intergalactic, artist Stefano Nesi continues his funky manga-infused artwork, designing a look for the Panther that shies away from the heavily African-influenced look he’s been sporting for the past few years. This book does a lot of heavy lifting, picking up a thread from the Armageddon event, resetting the status quo for both the Black Panther and Sub-Mariner, and kicking off a new interpersonal dynamic for the two heroes. – GC3
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