Robert Kirkman unleashed his zombie comic The Walking Deadin 2003, which fundamentally transformed both comic book and horror culture. Not only was the book a rare example of one long, continuous narrative in a world overrun by zombies, but when it was adapted into a TV series by AMC in 2010, it slowly but surely became a pop-culture juggernaut. Over the last 15 years, not only has The Walking Dead scored massive ratings and expanded into a global phenomenon, it also inspired other storytellers to tell their own apocalyptic tales.
Kirkman’s powerful storytelling sensibilities were evident from early on, which is why Marvel Comics enlisted him to develop the limited comic series Marvel Zombies. This wasn’t the first time characters in that universe had come up against the living undead, but this storyline made some of the most iconic heroes of all time grotesque and deformed versions of their former selves. The series was an immediate success, paving the way for sequel series, spin-offs, and crossovers.
The Disney+ series What If…?capitalized on that excitement with the Season 1 episode “What If… Zombies?!” and, much like the comic book, it only scratched the surface of the storytelling potential. That one-off episode paved the way for last year’s four-episode animated seriesMarvel Zombies, and at today’s Marvel Television & Animation panel at New York Comic Con, it was revealed that three new Marvel Zombies specials are on the way.
Coming in 2027 is Marvel Zombies: The Winter Soldier, which will likely focus on Bucky Barnes and his battles with the undead. In 2028, we’ll get Marvel Zombies: The Fist of Khonshu, which will put Moon Knight at the forefront of the fight against the ghouls. Then, in 2029, we’ll get Marvel Zombies: The Last Guardian, which we expect to center around the Guardians of the Galaxy. Who will be the “Last Guardian,” though, is yet to be revealed.
While none of these specials have confirmed release dates, Marvel did reveal that they would be timed for Halloween, so they likely will hit the streamer each October.
One lingering question, however, is whether we could ever get a live-action Marvel Zombies. Back in 2022, Disney+ released the Special Presentation Werewolf by Night, in which the titular character battled with a variety of monsters in gruesomely violent black and white. In 2019, Marvel Studios announced they were developing a new Blade, which would star Mahershala Ali, only for that project to stagnate and be scrapped.
There’s clearly a demand for more horror-oriented stories set in the Marvel Universe, though it also seems like the studio is struggling to find the best ways to deliver those types of outings. Still, we’ll gladly accept new Marvel Zombies specials for as long as the streamer offers them.
Which special are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comments below!
