Marvel Zombies – Dawn of Decay #1

Writer – Thomas Krajewski

Artist – Jason Muhr

I visited Phantom of the Attic for their Batman Day festivities on Saturday, September 21.

After picking up my pull list books and grabbing the free Batman comics the store was offering, I took a walk down one row of comics to the other to see if I missed anything from the last few weeks. I picked up a copy of Marvel Zombies – Dawn of Decay and the first thing I noticed was the All-Ages notation on the corner box above the price. I am a fan of the Marvel Zombies line of books and decided to grab it.

Rocket and Groot are imprisoned on the Raft after they unsuccessfully try to steal a top-secret laser from General Ross. They are released into the Avengers’ custody and take off back to New York City via Quinjet. Groot, battling a cold he picked up in outer space, sneezes in Captain America’s face. Shortly thereafter, Cap is transformed into a zombie and attacks Black Widow. The situation turns dire when all of the Avengers (except Bruce Banner) fall victim to the other-worldly virus. Can Groot and Bruce Banner find an antidote and save the Avengers and the citizens of New York City before it’s too late?

When I saw that this book was for all ages, my first reaction was skepticism. I thought to myself how can they pull this off? Most, if not all, Marvel Zombies mini-series are full of blood and gore, in some form or another. Thomas Keajewski masterfully tells a tale of terror, while working within the confines of the rating. I like the idea of the space virus turning normal humans into botanical beasts and quasi-swamp things. Once the heroes become zombies, they attack and bite each other, but there is no blood shown and if there is, its very minimal.

In previous Marvel Zombies series, we have seen Thor transformed into one of the walking dead. How can a god like Thor be transformed? Isn’t he supposed to be impervious to harm or pain? Cap bites Thor on the top of the hand, and I had to look through some succeeding panels to see what happens to the Odinson and he definitely becomes a perilous plant person. This is the only thing that doesn’t make sense to me. Is it because Captain America is a superhuman, thanks to the Super-Soldier Serum? Could a normal human turned zombie have the same effect on Thor? I don’t want to overthink it because it’s a comic book but a good question to raise at this juncture.

One dangling plot point is the final fate of Rocket. He gets sucked out of the Quinjet and Groot goes to save him. Groot’s arm snaps off and Rocket falls, seemingly to his death. Was he able to survive his fall via secret jetpack or not? I’m sure we will get an answer in the very next issue.

This is a comic book parents can read and enjoy together with their kids. At the very least, kids will FINALLY understand why they need to cover their mouth when they sneeze or cough. You don’t want to spread germs, especially ones from outer space. Would Groot use a tissue if you offered it to him? Looking at the cover, he has no nose!

Next Issue – “THOR vs. HULK: A ZOMBIE SMACKDOWN FOR THE AGES! Banner must get to Avengers Tower to make an antidote to the virus, but to get through the infested streets he’ll have to travel as Hulk. The big green guy may be invulnerable to nasty bites, but he’d also rather smash the zombies instead of saving them! Poor Groot needs to usher the uncontrollable beast through the horde, but his task is only complicated when an undead Thor shows up. If Groot wants to prevent Hulk from killing his fellow Avenger, he’ll need to think fast!” In Stores October 09, 2024.