MARVEL ZOMBIES
Starring: Iman Vellani, David Harbour, Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Dominique Thorne, Hailee Steinfeld, Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Olsen, Hudson Thames, Florence Pugh, Todd Williams and Tessa Thompson
Creator: Zeb Wells
AMARÚ
Marvel Animation continues to fall into the trap of too many characters in too little time, but Marvel Zombies seems to have learned a little from past mistakes by leaning into its strengths (suspenseful R-rated action) and trusting its audience (stop… explaining… EVERYTHING). So while there are still instances of unnecessary exposition and hit-and-miss humor, the gruesome action, overarching storytelling, and full embrace of bizarro zombieland gives MCU alum like Iman Vellani breathing room to charm us again. The voice-actors mimicking original stars don’t fare as well (except Todd Williams as Blade, he’s awesome), but this is a step in a better direction for Marvel Animation.
ROBERT
What If…? never struck me as a project that lends itself to spinoffs because it isn’t canon and exists as a quaint, alternative look into wild multiverses. However, the zombie episode was immensely popular and bound to beloved source material, so that is the obvious choice. Marvel Zombies blends gruesome action with more heartfelt storytelling in four episodes than you get in the final four seasons of The Walking Dead. Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani) has never been better, and she was already well-regarded; same goes for Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) as a villain. Thus, use your fully functioning brains and ingest this surprising animation.
