About Heroes

Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Sean Phillips
Cover: Arthur Suydam

Hey Marvel Zombie fans, the sequel to the original series has arrived! The entire team responsible for the original Zombie series is back for an adventure set forty years after the conclusion to the original Marvel Zombies. The Galactus powered Zombies have literally eaten their way throughout the universe and find they are out of food. The Zombies have replaced their missing body parts and also added some new recruits to their ranks. These cosmic additions include: Zombie Thanos, Zombie Gladiator, and Zombie Dark Phoenix (which makes no sense, but this series isn't supposed to be taken that serious.) The Zombies remembers that Reed Richards had a machine that could transport people to other worlds, so they decide to head back to Earth. Zombie Thanos doesn't get to play though; Zombie Hulk makes quick work of "purple chin" and knocks his head off! The Zombies do stop for a snack before heading to Earth: Ego the living planet! This was very twisted and surprising, but that is what this series is all about!

Back on Earth, Black Panther rules over the survivorsof the original series. Black Panther's grandson finds the head of Hawkeye and takes the head to his grandfather. The people think since Wasp is functioning fine after fending off her hunger, maybe Hawkeye can be saved as well. The acolytes are getting frustrated in having to follow an old and decrepit king, and the threat of mutiny is looming large. One night as Black Panther and his wife sleep, an acolyte assassin stabs Black Panther. Wasp comes running in and realizes that in order to save BP, she must bite him. The bite takes effect and saves the Panther, but it also turns him. The Wasp loves the taste of meat and blood and attacks the Panther's wife, but T'Challa stops her and the two eat the intruder/assassin instead. BP realizes he and the Wasp must go back into containment facilities and wait out the hunger.T'Challa is a noble king and is still protecting his people despite the growing hunger. I feel that this can't end well and all hell will break loose soon.Meanwhile, the Zombies are headed towards Earth.

Thoughts/Comments:Well that was fun, but pretty much what I expected.This issue really felt more like a set-up to the next four issues. The only part of the book that really got my attention was when the Panther was bitten by wasp after being stabbed. Still, there were a lot of great and fun moments in the book. I loved Hulk knocking Thanos' head right off his body. The Zombies eating Ego the living planet was a hoot, and Hawkeye's head being found was pretty funny and a nice nod to the original series. I still have no clue how Zombie Dark Phoenix fits in, but as I said before this series has its own rules and continuity. The art was solid and the cover by Suydam was wicked! Kirkman retained his wit and humor and really made the zombies wacky and wild, just like before. I can't wait to see where the story goes and I have a feeling a second printing witha new Suydam cover will be available soon. I'd give this a B+ since it does a great job of setting up where the series will go from here.