Marvel Zombies 2

Marvel Zombies (Collected Editions) #2

by Robert Kirkman, Sean Phillips (Illustrator), Arthur Suydam (Cover Art)

Collects Marvel Zombies 2 (2007) #1-5. Forty years have passed and the zombies have come back home after eating just about everything else in the universe. Yum yum! What awaits them back on Earth, though, is beyond anything even these shambling monstrosities could have conceived!

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Zombies, Marvel, Horror, Superheroes, Comic Book

115 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Robert Kirkman is an American comic book writer best known for his work on The Walking Dead, Invincible for Image Comics, as well as Ultimate X-Men and Marvel Zombies for Marvel Comics. He has also collaborated with Image Comics co-founder Todd McFarlane on the series Haunt. He is one of the five partners of Image Comics, and the only one of the five who was not one of the original co-founders of that publisher.

Robert Kirkman's first comic books were self-published under his own Funk-o-Tron label. Along with childhood friend Tony Moore, Kirkman created Battle Pope which was published in late 2001. Battle Pope ran for over 2 years along with other Funk-o-Tron published books such as InkPunks and Double Take.

In July of 2002, Robert's first work for another company began, with a 4-part SuperPatriot series for Image, along with Battle Pope backup story artist Cory Walker. Robert's creator-owned projects followed shortly thereafter, including Tech Jacket, Invincible and Walking Dead.

Reviews

[Yodamom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and brains with all the superheroes. I love Kirkman, his brain is my flavor of entertainment. If I was a zombie he'd be on the menu. LOL Seriously they guy writes at the top of my fun zone. This is the first book I've read in the series and did I love seeing all these good guys get down dirty and hangry. Bit's fallen off, cut off, rotted off, dirty suits, bad attitudes, it was all so new. Oh but the best was seeing them aged, old chunky monkeys LOL I've got to go get book 1 now. Enjoy my friends and watch your hunger, don;t get hangry.

[Bookwraiths · Rating 3 out of 5]

This follow up series has a better plot than the first with our surviving superheroes acting more like themselves at times. Even with that said, there were major plot holes and bizarre occurrences which didn’t make sense in context of the overall story arc. Still, it was an interesting zombie tale with an ending which sets up the next series.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite entertaining but it is starting to feel a bit like Marvel is flogging a dead horse here...





Ba-dum-CHING!

[Fugo Feedback · Rating 3 out of 5]

Y me resultó tan divertido el famoso "Marvel Zombies" que ni bien pude me tiré de cabeza a leer la continuación. Y la verdad que el apuro fue medio al pedo. Lo que en la primera parte resultaba divertido y original acá casi desaparece, y da pie a unas situaciones que, aunque impredecibles, son de lo más bobas y contraproducentes, como que por ejemplo los zombis se vuelvan buenos de golpe. Casi le pongo 2 estrellitas sólo por lo pedorro del final, pero como leyendo la mayoría del cómic la pasé bien, soy bueno y redondeo pa'rriba. Algo me dice que si vuelvo a la franquicia no voy a ser tan generoso la próxima...

[Lost Planet Airman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somehow, I think I thought that I thought I read this back in 2008.
If I did, something killed those brains cells. (Maybe it was the zombie virus) Because I have no memory of reading it until now. But it was an awesome resolution of the fate of a universe, and proof that even the gory, flesh-eating undead can still be heros.

Your mileage may vary.

[Cujo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't like this one as much as the first even though there is more detail into into how they became zombies.(Gotta love wolverine's reaction) .There is also a hint at some zombie/human sex which is kinda disturbing esp when Giant Man/Ant Man returns..Can someone say awkward?

[R. Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

Um.

OK, so, I think I missed something. I never read whatever came before Marvel Zombies 2 (1, I guess?), but I didn't really think there'd be much plot to it. Looks like the basic premise is right there on the cover. I would have liked to see the outbreak of a zombie apocalypse that took some of Marvel's greatest heroes down, but that's not what the sequel is about. This starts with Iron Man, Spiderman, the Hulk, Ant Man (ugh), Wolverine, and some other heroes I don't know... having eaten all life in the universe. It starts with the line "Damn... I can't believe we ate the whole thing." It took 40 years. To wipe out all life on the universe.

Aside from the fact that this comic spearheads another attempt to make me think Ant Man is not a lame hero (NOT GONNA HAPPEN MARVEL), I have some problems with the story here. The heroes decide to go back to Earth, to find a portal into another dimension to satiate their incredible hungers, and accidentally run into the last remnants of humanity, led by a zombified Black Panther (SPOILER: he becomes a zombie). A discovery is made: if they ignore the hunger for just a few days, they can push past their addiction and be good again. The zombie group splits in two - those who want to go good, and those who refuse to believe that they can change, or just don't care. It's a valiant effort to be good, but, really, you'd think characters like Spiderman might be a little more upset at having taken a life or two... or a billion. Or a few trillion (all the life in the universe!) I've seen him angst more about being home late. You'd think a little genocide would weigh on his conscious a bit?

I feel like I missed the interesting stuff. This was pretty boring. Taking out the moral issues of "eating everybody that ever lived, then snapping out of it, but hey, whatever," and refusing to really address some of the cool issues that could come of zombification meant that Marvel Zombies 2 was just another "hero vs. hero" comic, except when they get ripped apart, they can be sewn together after. And they have scary teeth and eyes.

(also, COLONEL America? What, why?)

The only really interesting character here is the Hulk (who disappears about halfway through and reappears near the end - literally, he puts somebody in a chokehold, and a fight breaks out, and he's nowhere to be seen?) The Hulk is not interested in getting better, he just wants to eat. Now. Bruce Banner absolutely detests what the Hulk is capable of, and hates the cannibalism involved... but is willing to kill and eat somebody, so that the hunger doesn't affect him enough to Hulk out and go on an even worse rampage. This is the only time I felt that the premise was addressed in an interesting, somewhat realistic fashion (saying "Gee I feel sorta bad for all that killing" ain't enough for me).

I'm still going to give it 4 Stars because, while the execution left a bit to be desired, it's nonetheless a pretty cool concept. I will definitely be checking out the first one - where they didn't have to try and make a story out of it, and where I imagine the best parts of a Marvel zombie story can be told (its beginning, the moral questions raised, etc). It was a fun read, if nothing else.

I still refuse to respect Ant Man though.

[CyberBookish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than the original. The characters actually grapple with the implications of being insatiable undead monsters, and the story moves past the shock value of seeing your favorite heroes as zombies.

[Spencer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beyond the initial idea of ‘Zombie Superheroes’ I don’t think the writers thought out what they wanted to do with this series. It started out fun but quickly wears thin and the disappointing artwork brings it down further.

[Shelby Fielding · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do think Kirkman tries a little more here, crafting some lore into the world about how humanity can still endure, even if you're the living dead. Eventually, with enough time, and enough of a satiated appetite, you do remember who you were. It's a fascinating idea at work in another pulpy addition to an iconic duo-logy of comics storytelling. (Yes I know there are more, but they're not great). Also, Sean Phillips art rules in this book. I especially love the way it crafts the light behind the eyes of the cosmic zombies (yes, you read that right) and the large staples to sew Spidey's body back in two is a glorious mad-scientist, creepshow visual.

[Nick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Coming from Robert Kirkman I'm shocked how bad this book stunk. The character interactions were well done for sure, but Hulk was vastly overpowered and other characters were far to weak. Firelord, and Jean Grey/Phoenix being casually killed by Hulk with little effort. Phoenix was able to destroy stars at will, and she can't vaporize a zombie Hulk?

While I respect Kirkman as a writer in most cases he needs to learn a bit about the characters he is writing rather then drastically change them to his liking (such as Silver Surfer in volume 1), otherwise this just stinks of a standard "use characters you know but nothing relates to them to get sales"

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basic Premise: Marvel superheroes as zombies!!!

A totally absurd premise, to be sure, but the authors really came up with an interesting way to make it more plausible. We are talking about a world where magic, superpowers, and mutations exist, so how far of a stretch is the addition of zombies? The first series was a bit better, but this one had some great moments, too. The art is probably my biggest beef with the series, but the fantastic cover art (classic covers done zombie-style) makes up for a lot of that.

[Hugh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm still waiting for Marvel Zombies 1 to come into the library but I couldn't help myself and skipped ahead and read part 2. After becoming zombies and eating everyone on Earth, Hulk, Spider-man, Wolverine, and a few others eat Galactus and are then able to fly around the universe eating every living thing. They return to Earth to try to find Reed Richards dimensional teleportation device so they can eat everything in alternate universes too. Black Panther is there leading the last remnants of uninfected humans and they have a big battle. Pretty fun read.

[Graham Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Read as a kid, review from 2024)

This wasn't as good/memorable as the other stories in the Marvel Zombies series I read at this time but it was still a solid entry in Marvel's attempt to cash in on the zombie craze. Had some memorable moments and even some heartwarming ones. Resolution was a bit of deus ex machina though.

[Loren Toddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing follow up yet again to the first book in the Marvel Zombies series and again the story not only advances in a very natural way but more insight was given into the origins of this horrible universe. A great read and outstanding to the last page.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

The surprises continue. Back from outer space, after eating an entire living planet, the zombies return to earth. Black Panther is such a huge hero in this volume. Now off into another universe! I'm liking this volume a littler more than the first only because i love the zombie on zombie fighting!

[Alazzar · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was willing to forgive the fact that the dialogue in this book was apparently written by a nine-year-old. I'm less willing to forgive the ridiculous cop-out ending.

But hey, the art is pretty good. So there's that.

[Stefan Mullinax · Rating 3 out of 5]

After 40 years and eating everything in the known universe, they are still hungry!

[Adam Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 / 5 for ‘Marvel Zombies 2’ by Robert Kirkman and Sean Phillips

This is a fantastic 2nd instalment in the Marvel Zombies saga, filled with all the humour and gore of the first Marvel Zombies series.

I read the TPB that collects the 5 issue limited series, which is beautifully presented on high quality gloss paper. As well as the five issues there’s an afterward from Kirkman and a cover gallery.

The story itself is set 40 years after MZ1, on an Earth populated only by Black Panther, Forge and a small group of refugees and Wakandans. The main group of Super Zombies from MZ1, plus Phoenix and Firelord make there way back home to use Reed Richards dimensional portal to find more food, but come up against T’Challa and his small band of survivors. There is a surprising development towards the end which makes the story even better than the first, even though the almost-cliffhanger ending feels a little weak.

Again, Kirkman writes a cracking story, with excellent dialogue, great action sequences and tonnes of humour. Phillips is also on top form with his wonderfully gory, noirish artwork.

Just like MZ1, I have no negative comments for this TPB. It’s awesome, from start to finish.

5 / 5

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

5/10
Verdict: Optional

As a continuation of the story set up in the original Marvel Zombies, this is pretty good, as a stand alone story however, this is a very mixed bag. This felt quite rushed, like a lot of ground needed to be covered in a short amount of time, but it does some really great stuff, my personal favourite addition here is the Frankenstein's monster parallel later in the story, even if it felt really last minute and ultimately very unnecessary.

A lot of aspects to this story feel that way, especially the main villain, I have a strong feeling that they could be taken completely out and nothing would change, except for a couple details with the ending. In regards to the ending, it wasn't good, very sudden character dynamics drastically change on a whim and it doesn't feel well earned, it just about works canonically but not really thematically. The action and horror is still on point though, and given that it was the main draw of the series, I can't complain too much that the other aspects don't quite work.

[Mr. Stick · Rating 3 out of 5]

"YEAH -- IT'S KINDA LIKE ME BEING SO HANDSOME. 'HOW'S HE STAY SO HANDSOME FIGHTING ALL THIS CRIME.' IT'S DISTRACTING."
- Zombie Luke Cage trying to understand why Zombie Spider-Man has keep making jokes.

Set forty years after the first story, the main group of zombies have eaten everything they could find in the galaxy, so now they're headed back to earth. The few humans, from Asteroid M, and the reformed zombies have established a colony in New Wakanda. More character development. More of the zombies are "cured" of the hunger by their consciences. Some of the younger humans who never knew the pre-zombie world are struggling to take control of New Wakanda from the old guard.
Honestly, I'm still not a fan of zombies, but this book was as good as the first. Walking Dead is more about the survivors and their stories than that of the walkers. Whereas this equally showed the lives of both the living and the undead. An interesting "what if?" story. Three stars.

[Jordan Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picking up right where the first 5 issues left off, we get to see what’s become of New Wakana, old T’Chala, and the few survivors of the zombie plague. The zombified superheroes also return to Earth after eating basically all living things in the universe.

I liked this second volume a bit more than the first as it somehow manages to be more violent and gory than its predecessor and it clears up a few open ended questions as well as leaves us with yet another cliffhanger.

I said in my review if the first one that I enjoyed how pre-Disney Marvel was willing to take risks and try new things and the same sentiment applies here. I mean, what other comic conglomerate would be willing to slaughter half of their original creations in a zombie apocalypse? (And yes, I know DC did this but not for nearly a decade after Marvel paved the way).

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you have any idea how difficult it is too look at someone you've killed walking around-- talking?

The direct sequel run continues with more surprisingly fresh ideas that go a bit above your typical zombie gimmick story. A time jump of almost half a century opens the floor for a post-trauma society with aged characters as well as having the conscious zombiefied ex-heroes mentally deteriorate even more under their sickness-induced actions.
Characters actually develop in a fairly interesting way and for a comic book about zombies, there is a surprising amount of decent dialog writing.

I'm still really digging this and love how much the creators were able to bring out of what could have been a very straight-forward and flat affair. Still looking forward to reading more and seeing hiw fsr this can go before it falls apart or loses steam.

[Matt Graupman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite as revolutionary, shocking, or gory as the original "Marvel Zombies," but still a decent bit of fun. It seems odd that I'd want less story in my story but "Marvel Zombies 2" suffers because there's an actual narrative; the first one worked well because it was so brainless and immediate (kinda like a zombie, you could say). Picking up a book about superhero zombies, I wanna see stuff like Spider-Man getting torn in half or Giant Man getting half his skull blown off, not political intrigue. Also - and, again, I acknowledge that it's ridiculous to complain about this in a ZOMBIE comic - but the science behind this whole infection and its long-term effects was very underdeveloped. See? When you just focus on all the glorious gore, you don't give your readers time to think about stuff like that.

[Nick · Rating 2 out of 5]

This kind of fizzled. Don't get me wrong, it's been . . . 15 years since I've read the first one, so not everything was crystal clear on what happened before, but still. This seemed to start after a 50 year jump and explains nothing of what happened in that time.

Why are zombies talking?
Why do some of them have metal appendages?
How did, non-flying, very limited capabilities Wolverine get to the edge of the galaxy?
What happened to . . . everyone else?

Beyond that, the hunger just goes away. No one solves a problem, no one figures out how to save anyone, the problem just vanishes for no discernable reason. It's more frustrating and a let down. Let one of your remaining heroes be a hero. Let Black Panther find a solution or something. It doesn't make a whole lot of sense, and was kind of a let down.

[Henry Peat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love what Robert Kirkman and Sean Phillips has done here. I love that when they are infected with the virus they don't just because brain dead, lifeless corpses and instead have a brain but they are decomposing and have a unbearable urge to eat human flesh, because they have a brain we can see what their opinions are on the matter, for example we can see that when Spiderman becomes aware of what he is doing every so often he panicks and becomes sort of depressed and full of regret. Overall, I love what they have done with this concept and I can't wait to read Fred Van Lente and Kev Walkers expanded universe based of Kirkmans comics.

[Thebadwolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

pretty good, you should read marvel zombies first though. You should read marvel zombies Rachel, its written by Robert Kirkman and its pretty good, pretty spice. I bet you would read it if wonder woman was a zombie. Oh wait she was in blackest knight, but you only read the part of that were she was a zombie because you don't like her. Seriously, shes not that bad, I mean shes not great by I think your hate is a bit unreasonable. Also read blackest knight its pretty good. Ok thanks for listening to my Ted talk.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars and rounding up. The new Marvel Zombies limited series on Disney+ is way better (although I am frustrated with the ambiguous ending of the series), but this one is a bit better than volume 1. The former heroes turned zombies have devoured nearly all life in our universe over about 40 years and decide to return to Earth to use the device that Reed Richards had created to travel to a new dimension for a new supply of food (i.e. people). Meanwhile a small vestige of humanity has survived on Earth, led by Black Panther, who's now an old man.

[Adam Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rarely is the sequel to something mostly stupid worth reading. But Marvel Zombies 2 is about 400% smarter than the preceding volume, and actually fun.

The Zombies start to explore why the hunger drives them while, back on Earth, surviving heroes have created as much of society as possible with the limited genepool left behind.

This is a welcome break from a fairly dull part of The Utimate Universe. And I'm now cautiously optimitic about getting to Marvel Zombies 3.

[Scott Waldie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still as fun and intriguing as it was in the first volume, we're beginning to see the effects of time on the Marvel Zombies and the Earth survivors, and I like that they acknowledged the cosmic ramifications of these newly powered up undead to wreak havoc on the galaxy. Don't get me wrong, this is a bonkers title, but entertaining as so much of Kirkman's stuff usually is.