The title “First Steps” for the upcoming Fantastic Four movie implies that much consideration and work has likely gone into its creation, which often leads to a high-quality final product, although not always.
Although it may seem like the Marvel Zombies universe sprang up independently, a darker truth lies beneath the festivities: it was actually introduced through the Fantastic Four. The chilling premise that a zombie outbreak is imminent, even affecting superheroes, has been a defining feature of the Marvel Zombies series since its inception in 2005 by the mastermind of the undead, Robert Kirkman. However, prior to Kirkman’s direct involvement, the first hints of zombies within the Marvel Universe were subtly introduced in Mark Millar and Greg Land’s Ultimate Fantastic Four (2004) issues 21-23. It was only later that Kirkman added his signature style of gory zombie tales to the continuity with a subsequent standalone franchise.
The Fantastic Four Lie at the Heart of the Marvel Universe’s Zombie Apocalypse
For the first time in the rebooted zombie saga, Marvel has opted to introduce the Fantastic Four, or their “First Family,” in the upcoming series – Marvel Zombies: Red Band (2025). As the title implies, this new series will be published under the revitalized Marvel Red Band label, reintroducing the “zombiesphere” to the gruesome, horror-centric narrative reminiscent of Kirkman’s initial volumes of the original Marvel Zombies. Established in 2001, Marvel’s Red Band imprint was designed for mature storytelling, accommodating adult language, visuals, and themes. Although Kirkman’s early work could have fit within this imprint at the time, the franchise later adopted a more conventional Marvel tone following his departure.
In the new take on the zombie series, it’s the Fantastic Four’s storied history that seems to make them the ideal candidates for a comeback. But this time around, the approach is markedly distinct. In the Ultimate Fantastic Four version of Earth-1610, Reed Richards receives a message from an alternate Reed Richards hailing from Earth-2149. In his reality, a zombie outbreak has swept across the planet, leading to the demise of countless lives, including those of superheroes like the Fantastic Four. Since the undead superheroes found it relatively simple to locate human flesh for sustenance, their food supply eventually dwindled. As a result, Reed from Earth-2149 devised a plan to deceive Reed from Earth-1610 into opening a gateway between their dimensions – so that the zombies could invade and feast on an unsuspecting, uninfected world.
With Red Band, the Fantastic Four are Set to Dive Deeper Into Zombie Lore
In the comic series “Marvel Zombies: Red Band,” it’s not the Fantastic Four who become victims of a zombie virus that started elsewhere. Instead, they are the ones responsible for unleashing and spreading this virus on Earth, marking a significant first for the team. Essentially, they are the original carriers, or “patient zeros,” who contracted the zombie virus and triggered its global spread. Given their powers, they seem to embody the concept of a modern-day “virus super-spreader.” The choice of the Fantastic Four as the initiators of the zombie apocalypse might provide hints about where Marvel plans to steer the new “Red Band” universe.
In essence, the narrative in Marvel Zombies: Red Band shares similarities with the debut of the Fantastic Four in Fantastic Four #1 (1961), but with an intriguing twist. Instead of gaining superpowers after exposure to cosmic rays as in the original story, this time they become infected with a zombie virus, turning them into the undead during their space voyage.
No One Does Zombies Like the Fantastic Four
The genius of this plot turn is its departure from the routine. In contrast to the initial 1961 continuity of the Marvel Universe portrayed by the Red Band, it swiftly ventures into unexplored territories as the Fantastic Four undergo a radical transformation, becoming zombies and even spawning a fresh horror continuity within Marvel. A sneak peek at this new distorted reality can be seen on one of the variant covers for the upcoming first issue, showcasing the undead Mr. Fantastic and the Thing attacking Hulk and Spider-Man. This implies that these characters will become infected, marking the start of a virus outbreak in the Red Band universe – all due to the “Zombie Four.
If Marvel intends to blend its “Marvel Zombies” series and its “Red Band” imprint with their traditional style, they couldn’t have picked a more suitable team than the Fantastic Four, given an eerie, chilling spin on their classic personas, now transforming them into Marvel’s inaugural zombified superhero family. Their “First Family” status now carries a sinister undertone, as they are about to metamorphose into: the first undead superhero team to reshape Marvel history into a gory nightmare. In essence, if this zombie version of the Fantastic Four can pave the way for Marvel’s triumph in these grittier, mature realms, much like the original Fantastic Four spearheaded the company’s rise to fame in the 1960s, then their influence could be immense.
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2025-07-07 01:40