The Marvel Cinematic Universe has never shied away from bold experiments, and now it has sunk its teeth into one of the darkest storylines in Marvel history. ‘Marvel Zombies’ reimagined the fan-favorite comic run in a way that feels familiar yet entirely new.
While the original comics, created by Robert Kirkman and Sean Phillips, shocked readers with their bleak, unapologetically brutal tone, the MCU’s version has put its own spin on the source material. The essence of the comics is still there, but the storytelling reflects the MCU’s unique identity.
‘Marvel Zombies’ Forges Its Own Path
In a conversation with SR, the creative team shed light on what makes the MCU’s ‘Marvel Zombies’ different from the comics. Executive producer Brad Winderbaum described the tone as still bleak, but emphasized the human element. “It’s about survival, but not just ‘will they or won’t they survive?’ It is also about how survival might corrupt the characters. That’s why we chose those particular characters to be surrogates for the audience as they go on this deadly adventure.”
Related: The Real Reason Why Chadwick Boseman’s T’Challa Wasn’t Recast For Disney+’s ‘Marvel Zombies’
This focus on moral corruption aligns with what made Kirkman’s comics unforgettable, but the MCU is layering in something new. Andrews explained, “The comics are the comics, and they’re awesome, but this is our version… standing on the shoulders of what came before, and saying, ‘Let’s go over here. Wouldn’t it be fun?’” That “our version” is critical.
The MCU has a long track record of reimagining beloved arcs for a broader audience. Civil War, Infinity War, and Age of Ultron all borrowed heavily from the comics. However, they reshaped their narratives to fit Marvel Studios’ storytelling vision. ‘Marvel Zombies’ looks to be another example of this. Instead of simply recreating Robert Kirkman’s world, the show builds a new apocalypse within the MCU’s established continuity.
It takes familiar heroes and throws them into unimaginable horror. The fun of this series will come from watching these recognizable faces deal with circumstances unlike anything we’ve seen before. As a fan of the original comics, this approach feels refreshing. The comics will always exist, perfectly grim in their own right. However, the MCU’s animated version has given us something unexpected while still honoring what came before.
Chris Hemsworth’s Thor Was Recast In ‘Marvel Zombies’
One of the most surprising developments surrounding ‘Marvel Zombies’ is that Chris Hemsworth did not return to voice Thor. Instead, actor Greg Furman will lend his voice to the God of Thunder. This recasting might disappoint some fans, after all, Hemsworth’s voice and presence have been inseparable from Thor for over a decade. However, Furman’s Thor isn’t just a replacement; his arc in ‘Marvel Zombies’ is one of the most emotionally charged parts of the series.
In case you missed it: ‘Marvel Zombies’ Leaves MCU Darker Than Ever With Its Bleak Season 1 Ending
In this apocalyptic timeline, Thor faces off against a zombified Thanos, but the battle leaves him permanently scarred and half-crippled. Instead of being the invincible warrior we’ve come to know, Thor becomes a quiet, broken figure in New Asgard, reflecting on his failure. This arc mirrors the shame and depression we saw in ‘Avengers: Endgame’, only taken to an even darker extreme.
When the Scarlet Witch and her army of zombies arrive, Thor finally rises to the occasion, stalling her long enough for the remaining heroes to escape. His sacrifice, however, is short-lived. Zombie Thor is ultimately slain by none other than Infinity Hulk, a terrifying variant who wields unimaginable power.
