Brand new look at Marvel Zombies released 

Promotional poster for Marvel Zombies | Image via Marvel
Promotional poster for Marvel Zombies | Image via Marvel

An exclusive image shared by ComicBook on its official X profile has given audiences a brand new glimpse at Marvel Zombies, the animated series from Marvel Animation. The preview belongs to the outlet’s fall season showcase and highlights a crowded frame of undead heroes. Their eyes glow red, cutting through the dark background, and the effect is immediate. The atmosphere feels heavy and tense, almost like a warning of what is coming rather than just a promotional still.

This release matters because it is one of the clearest signals so far of what Marvel Animation wants the show to be. It is not colorful, not lighthearted. It looks closer to horror, and the choice to present it this way suggests the series will not hold back from uncomfortable details. The image positions the project as something different inside the Marvel lineup, more experimental and more willing to lean into fear.

New look at Marvel Zombies | Image via ComicBook
New look at Marvel Zombies | Image via ComicBook

About Marvel Zombies

The show builds on the idea introduced in What If…?, where familiar heroes were overtaken by an infection. They were not the same after that. Instead of protectors, they became the main threat. The glimpse at Marvel Zombies confirms that this is the heart of the concept. It is less about heroic victories and more about collapse, about decay. The higher rating already attached to the series also tells part of the story, promising a version closer to the original comics.

Characters and confirmed cast

Several voices from the MCU return here. Elizabeth Olsen as Scarlet Witch. Simu Liu as Shang-Chi. Florence Pugh as Yelena. Hailee Steinfeld as Kate Bishop. David Harbour as Red Guardian. Paul Rudd stepping back into Ant-Man, and Tessa Thompson reprising Valkyrie. The names connect directly to films that audiences already know. But in this setting, their roles shift. They no longer exist in familiar environments but in a world where survival dominates everything. That difference is part of the draw.

Elizabeth Olsen as Scarlet Witch, Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, Florence Pugh as Yelena, and Hailee Steinfeld as Kate Bishop | Image via Marvel / Disney+
Elizabeth Olsen as Scarlet Witch, Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, Florence Pugh as Yelena, and Hailee Steinfeld as Kate Bishop | Image via Marvel / Disney+

Storyline and original work

The roots of Marvel Zombies go back to comics. It started with Ultimate Fantastic Four #21–23 in 2004, written by Mark Millar and drawn by Greg Land. In those issues, Reed Richards meets an alternate version of himself and stumbles into a reality consumed by infection. Magneto, still unturned at that stage, plays a crucial part in fighting back against the spread.

Soon after, the first miniseries titled Marvel Zombies arrived in 2005. Robert Kirkman wrote the story, and Sean Phillips handled the art. Right away, the series looked unusual. It carried a darker mood, sharper lines, and pages that didn’t hide the rot and damage. Those kinds of images were not common in superhero comics at the time, so the contrast stood out. It also arrived during a moment when zombie stories were flooding almost every corner of pop culture. Games, films, and television had their own versions of the undead. The timing helped the book get noticed. Kirkman would later be recognized worldwide for The Walking Dead, but in truth, Marvel Zombies had already shown the way he could twist horror into the shape of a superhero tale.

David Harbour as Red Guardian, Paul Rudd as Ant-Man, and Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie | Image via Marvel / Disney+
David Harbour as Red Guardian, Paul Rudd as Ant-Man, and Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie | Image via Marvel / Disney+

Narrative context

The animated production takes that foundation and steers away from the optimism usually tied to the MCU. Instead of bright victories, it builds a ruined landscape where redemption is scarce. In the comics, Sean Phillips’ art carried much of the weight. His panels were filled with details of cannibalism and destruction, images that pushed the stories far away from the clean lines of other Marvel titles.

The episode of What If…? that touched on zombies presented a softer version. It had humor and a lighter edge, trimmed to fit within Disney’s usual boundaries. The upcoming Marvel Zombies series is confirmed as TV-MA, which points to something different. The classification signals that this adaptation intends to stay closer to the raw spirit of the source material rather than the toned-down interpretation.

Release date and format

Marvel Zombies is set for release on Disney+ on September 24, 2025. It will arrive as a four-episode miniseries, with all episodes available at once. The format feels deliberate. Four parts suggest a short but focused run, an intense pace designed to keep attention fixed. There is little room for side plots or drawn-out arcs. Instead, the series appears structured to deliver its impact quickly, almost like a single extended film broken into chapters.

Marvel Zombies Comics | Image via Marvel Comics
Marvel Zombies Comics | Image via Marvel Comics

Expectations

The arrival of Marvel Zombies invites discussion about where Marvel is heading. It shows a willingness to step outside the usual mix of action and comedy. The darker angle adds variety, pushing the universe into horror territory while still staying anchored in recognizable characters. That balance between familiarity and estrangement may explain why the anticipation is strong. Each preview, each update, strengthens the impression that this project wants to leave a mark by being unsettling.

The cultural timing also adds weight. The original comics surfaced when zombie stories were everywhere, and they managed to stand out even in that crowded moment. Now, the animated series comes at a time when Marvel itself is experimenting with tone and format. It connects back to that earlier period but reframes it for streaming.

Conclusion

The reveal of this new image marks an important step toward the release. Shared by ComicBook on X, it does more than show designs. It frames the series as one of the most distinct titles under Marvel Animation right now. By turning familiar heroes into something threatening, Marvel Zombies promises a sharp contrast to the standard MCU. The appeal lies not only in spectacle but also in the unsettling reversal of roles. That is what makes the project stand out before it even premieres.

Edited by Sroban Ghosh