I am a sucker for zombie stories and even more for a Marvel Zombies story, so when Marvel Zombies: Dawn of Decay #1 came across my radar it was a must-read. While this story isn’t groundbreaking, it was fun to escape main Marvel continuity for a romp in the world of zombies.

Groot feels bad – not only because Rocket’s latest scheme put them firmly in the crosshairs of the Avengers, but also he’s just plain sick! Sap-dripping nose and all. Things go from bad to apocalyptic, however, after an ill-timed sneeze in Captain America’s face has unforeseeable consequences! Suddenly, Groot is being attacked by a horde of zombified Avengers, and only he and Hulk, with his impenetrable green skin, remain impervious.

Now it’s up to these two heroes to team up and fight their way through a blighted New York City to Banner’s lab in Avengers Tower to find a cure before it’s too late. But can Groot keep the hero in check and on track, or will Hulk unleash his deadly might on the zombies they once called friends?

For the most part zombie stories are zombie stories, not much changes from tale to tale. Someone infects someone and we have a problem. But writer Thomas Krajewski and illustrator Jason Muhr take this basic premise and creates a new story featuring zombies infected with looks like Cordyceps similar to those in The Last of Us which is something we can sink our teeth into. This approach to the zombie genre adds depth and completing to the Marvel Universe, keeping me engage with future issues.

While the story may sit outside main Marvel continuity, the artwork from Muhr fits right into the world of big two comics. I was hoping for a more grittier, more mature-rated style of artwork, the illustrations in this comic effetely brings to life the infected and will be right up the alley of those looking for Marvel comics style artwork. Marvel Zombies have always felt a bit more independently driven and was hoping to see more risks taken.

The standout of this debut issue of Marvel Zombies: Dawn of Decay is the lettering by VC’s Travis Lanham. The attention to detail from the very first page onward added an extra layer of depth to the visual experience. The thought that went into the lettering when crafting this comic was noticeable in such an amazing way.

It’s always nice to escape the main Marvel continuity for a little romp in zombie land. Marvel Zombies: Dawn of Decay #1 offers just that with a refreshing change of pace from traditional superhero stories, allowing for a darker and more twisted version of their favorite characters. The fun spin on Marvel Zombies comics sets this comic apart from other Marvel Zombie stories and allows it to breathe. As a longtime fan of the Marvel Zombies stories, Dawn of Decay left me satisfied.

Marvel Zombies: Dawn of Decay #1 hit local comic shops on September 4, 2024 from Marvel Comics.