Marvel Zombies Explained: The Disney+ Miniseries and the Graphic Novels You Need to Know

If you’re hearing about Marvel Zombies for the first time because of the Disney+ miniseries, here’s a primer: what is it, why fans are excited, and what comic books you should read if you want to dive in deeper.

Marvel Zombies on Disney+

What is it?

Yes — Marvel Zombies is a four-episode animated miniseries now streaming on Disney+.

Here are the key details:

It’s produced by Marvel Studios Animation and acts as a darker spin-off connection to What If…? (specifically the “What If… Zombies?!” episode).



It’s Marvel’s first animated show to be rated TV-MA, meaning it can go more graphic, violent, or mature than typical Marvel fare. I think if you like the Walking Dead and if you love Marvel then this will be a Happy Medium.

All four episodes were released simultaneously on September 24, 2025 (so you can binge them).

Each episode runs roughly 30 to 35 minutes (some have reported times like 31–37 minutes).

The story follows a group of survivors in a world where most of the Marvel heroes have been transformed into zombies. The survivors travel across a destroyed landscape, trying to find a way to end the plague.

The cast features many familiar MCU and Marvel Animation names (Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Rudd, Florence Pugh, Simu Liu, etc.).

One interesting production note: the creators originally had ideas for a larger project or film, but rights issues (for example, with Spider-Man) and budget constraints led them to adopt the miniseries route.

Also, the showrunners have said they intentionally avoided making heavy references or direct homages to specific comic storylines, so it stands more as its own adaptation rather than a strict comics-to-screen retelling.

So yes — it’s real, it’s out, and it’s a darker take on the MCU in zombie form.

Why is Marvel Zombies a Big Deal?

If you don’t already know the Marvel Zombies concept, here’s why it has been compelling over the years:

1. It subverts the superhero genre

The core appeal is seeing Marvel’s most iconic heroes — who are typically paragons of virtue, strength, and morality — become grotesque, flesh-eating monsters. The clash of the heroic and the horrific is both shocking and compelling.

2. It’s “What-If?” turned up to 11

Because Marvel Zombies often exists in alternate universes or timelines, it gives writers freedom to explore wild, dark variations of well-known characters — unrestrained by the mainline continuity. The Disney+ series leans into that by adopting the What If…? multiverse tie-in.

3. Horror + superhero mashup

It’s not just a superhero show with zombies — it’s horror meets capes. You get high stakes, gore, tension, moral ambiguity: what does it mean to fight when so many “heroes” are enemies now? That genre mix is relatively rare in mainstream superhero media.

4. Celebrated comic legacy & fan following

Since its debut in comics about 20 years ago, Marvel Zombies has accrued a devoted fanbase. It has inspired many spin-offs, alternate takes, and crossovers. Marvel themselves list “greatest hits” of its zombified saga as part of their catalog.

5. It pushes boundaries for Marvel Animation

By going TV-MA and being more visceral, Marvel Zombies serves as a testing ground for more mature storytelling in the Marvel animated universe. It shows Marvel is willing to stretch beyond kid-and-family friendly content in animation.

6. Easter eggs and MCU tie-ins

For fans of the MCU, the series reportedly includes cameos, references, and twists (though in measured doses) that connect to the larger Marvel universe.

If the Disney+ show succeeds, there’s talk of future seasons or expansions. Marvel prepared a blueprint for more episodes, depending on audience support.

If You Want to Read the Comics — Where to Start

If the show piqued your curiosity, here are some classic Marvel Zombies (and related) titles that fans often recommend as essential or “must-read.” These will give you more depth, alternate versions, and wild stories beyond what the show can cover.

Must-Read & Recommended Titles

From Marvel’s own “must-read” list and fan rankings:

Title What it is / Why read it

Marvel Zombies (2005) #1–5 The original miniseries that launched the whole concept. Heroes are infected, chaos ensues, and cosmic stakes show up (including Galactus).

Marvel Zombies 2 (2007–2008)

The zombies, having devoured all life, look for new universes to feed on. Expands the scope.

Marvel Zombies 3 (2008-2009)

Brings in crossovers with the “prime” Marvel Universe (Earth-616)

Marvel Zombies Return / Marvel Zombies Return — Complete Collection

Revisits the original zombies and ties up some threads.

Marvel Zombies 5 (2010)

A more recent take; some fans find it more uneven, but it shows how the zombieverse evolves.

Marvel Zombies: Resurrection

A later revival/miniseries that tries to bring new twists (e.g. zombified Galactus).

Ultimate Fantastic Four #21

This is the issue where the zombie plague first appears in the “Ultimate” universe context, intersecting with existing heroes. Listed by Marvel as a must-read.

Black Panther (2005) #27

A more focused, character-based piece connecting to the zombieverse.

Also, websites like ComicBookTreasury publish full Marvel Zombies reading orders detailing how the various series, spin-offs, and crossovers interconnect.

' Tips If You’re New to It

Don’t feel like you have to read everything — start with the original Marvel Zombies #1–5 and maybe Zombies 3 to see how the concept expands.

Expect dark, violent content. This isn’t light superhero fare.

Embrace the weirdness: zombies + superheroes = a weird but fun mix of horror, tragedy, and spectacle.

As you read more, you’ll see how writers play with multiverse logic, moral questions (e.g. “What makes someone ‘heroic’ when turned”), and sacrificial stakes.