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I am a longtime Blade fan, and I actually felt that it wasn’t the best introduction to bring him into the MCU when I heard that his first appearance would be in Marvel Zombies! Marvel Zombies is a Disney+ series based on an animated, dark-horror show that consists of a grotesque and over-the-top reinterpretation of Marvel heroes in an alternate universe.
It is technically a story in the multiverse of the MCU, although not the primary timeline. In my view, presenting Blade here will be a shadow to his traditional story as a vampire hunter whose arc is ethically complex. Blade in Marvel Zombies or Blade Knight is a combination of Blade and the abilities of Moon Knight, which is voiced differently than the live-action version, yet to be determined.
I also feel that Marvel Zombies should be a creative multiverse playground; however, to me, it makes no sense as a first introduction to the viewers who have not watched any MCU version of Blade. The series places him in a world where horror, violence, and grotesque comedy reign, as opposed to him delving into his personal motives, his ability to hunt vampires, and his own inner struggles.
On one hand, it is thrilling to get Blade into action, but on the other, this introduction does not give the complexity and shades that the fans, including me, had been anticipating with a proper introduction.
Blade’s legacy deserves its own spotlight
Blade has a rich comic-book history dating back to the 1970s, with a story centered on his evolution from a human-vampire hybrid to the morally complex Daywalker. In my opinion, his MCU introduction must represent this journey. Marvel Zombies does depict the fighting abilities and the heroism of Blade, however, in a highly stylized and alternative version.
I feel that seeing him first in a standalone story, whether in a solo film or a traditional MCU crossover, would let audiences fully appreciate his motivations, abilities, and moral dilemmas.
Understanding Marvel Zombies and its alternate universe
To provide some background, Marvel Zombies is in a separate alternate continuity where the familiar Marvel characters are transformed into undead or grotesque versions of themselves. Blade Knight combines the vampire-hunting abilities of Blade and the moon god Khonshu, associated with Moon Knight, which is a distinct adaptation made to fit this universe.
In my opinion, this is very exciting and maybe misleading to viewers who would want to encounter the canonical story of Blade. It is evident that the series is not supplanting the primary MCU timeline: it is an experiment with the multiverse where Blade appears in a more ultraviolet, alternate universe.
Tone and expectations of the audience
From my perspective, Blade’s traditional tone is dark, suspenseful, and morally serious, which contrasts with Marvel Zombies’ exaggerated horror-comedy approach. Although the fans and critics have noted that it is entertaining to watch him in action, in my own opinion, it might not be that appealing to the audience who wish for a more traditional, down-to-earth Blade narrative.
There have been online discussions that this debut would create a bias in the fan perception, especially for new audiences unfamiliar with his comics or prior adaptations.
The hybrid concept: Blade Knight
The Blade–Moon Knight hybrid, aka Blade Knight, is one of the most interesting details of Marvel Zombies. I am intrigued by the fact that the series combines the lunar abilities of Khonshu with the vampire-hunting skills of Blade to produce a new version of this character.
Nonetheless, I also believe that this hybrid is not the Blade that most fans are familiar with and admire. Though it highlights his fighting skills and also gives it a spin of its own, it’s important to remember that this is specific to this alternate universe and not the mainline portrayal that Mahershala Ali will eventually bring to the big screen.
Alternative debut ideas
Provided with an opportunity, the introduction of Blade into the MCU would be better in a more traditional manner, i.e., to put emphasis on his personal narrative, ethical dilemmas, and his mission of hunting down vampires. A standalone film or a carefully integrated team-up could establish his character’s depth before exploring stylized, alternate versions like Marvel Zombies.
I think this would give audiences a fuller understanding of who Blade is and why he matters in the MCU.
Ultimately, although Marvel Zombies is an innovative and thrilling fit to the MCU multiverse, personally, I do not think it was the best introduction of Blade. The grotesque reinterpretations, horror comedy tone, and unstructured plotlines do not correspond to the depth of the narrative of the canonical character. Blade Knight is an entertaining version, but I believe fans, including myself, would have appreciated a debut that fully reflects Blade’s legacy as a morally complex vampire hunter.
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That said, it’s clear that Marvel Zombies provides an intriguing taste of his powers, and the eventual live-action MCU Blade film is still anticipated to tell his story properly.
Also read: Marvel Zombies EP opens up about the shows’ blood filled finale
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