For the life of me I’ll never understand what the big deal is about Marvel Zombies, or any other kind of Zombies for that matter. Still, I have to admit that bringing the critters to Earth 616 could be interesting. The first issue of the third installment is fun to read and I must admit that I’m interested in seeing some of my favorite heroes in a horror situation. Plus any book that features Machine Man is worth a look.

That’s right my friends the big bad hero that’s going to save the day is none other than Aaron Stack, the Machine Man. It makes sense to use him given that the virus seems to only affect organics. In the first issue we also get to see what the whole Initiative is really about, supplying cannon fodder for writers who need to get their hands dirty. The issue opens up with an Initiative investigating a strange occurrence in Florida, soon they run afoul of Zombie Deadpool.

The merc with half a mouth has already turned some of the locals into Zombies which takes the team by surprise. Most of the heroes died rather unceremoniously and it works. In a good horror story one thing you need is lots of death and with the Initiative around there are plenty of bodies to pile up. The real question is now that it counts (this story takes place in the regular Marvel Universe), how far can they go with this?

I have my doubts already because of the way the book ends. Michael Morbius makes a guest appearance in two ways, one as the lead scientist for yet another super secret military organization, this group deals with interdimensional threats (whatever happened to Dr. Strange taking care of that?). The other is as a Zombie version of Morbius who has taken the place of the real one. The only problem is that he left the real Morbius alive. In all fairness he explains why and his explanation makes some degree of sense, but it tells me that most major players will be safe.

Give credit to Marvel for creating a crop of ‘red shirts’ that they can kill at will, the tactic will give books like this one an edge that wouldn’t be possible otherwise. The first issue of this four part series did more than enough to pique my interest and I can’t wait to see how this story unfolds, I strongly suggest you pick it up.

Writer: Fred Van Lente
Pencils: Kev Walker
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Series Count: 1 of 4

Crave Online Rating: 7 out of 10