A new threat to the Marvel Universe of the zombie persuasion takes effect in Marvel Zombies: Dawn of Decay #1, out this week. This is not the usual zombie threat, but a virus spread by Groot! Things get out of hand in this all-ages sort of miniseries.
Written by Tom Krajewski, this first issue feels more at home for YA readers. It’s lighter fare, with a focus on characters more akin to the MCU versions. The story opens with Rocket and Groot attempting to escape a prison cell until the Avengers show up to release them. It turns out they were after a weapon they thought was dangerous but is, in fact, good-guy tech.
The opening lets Krajewski play around with characters and dialogue, from Rocket’s overbearing attitude to Captain America’s resounding positivity. There are nice moments where characters show their personalities.
However, the main conflict goes from bad to worse when Groot sneezes on Cap, effectively turning him into a zombie. It’s a somewhat comical notion that’s depicted very seriously.
Cover your mouth, Groot!
Credit: Marvel
Artist Jason Muhr steps in with a neat design for the fungus-root-looking virus when a hero is turned. Midway through, there’s a bit of action and some good establishing shots of the rising spread of the virus. Generally the characters look spot on to their movie selves, from Hulk to Thor. The art typically takes up only a few panels per page, with a simpler layout design than one might find in a YA comic.
Since the art never goes too adult with violence and the colors are quite bright this doesn’t feel like a horror comic, although it’s well timed for Halloween. Younger readers might find it enjoyable, but the stakes never feel all that high, especially when Bruce Banner isn’t all that worried, even with a full-on zombie uprising taking place. It reads more like a light adventure for younger readers to enjoy.
Marvel Zombies: Dawn of Decay #1 is a perfectly serviceable spin on a zombie outbreak story by way of Groot’s sneezes. Definitely more for the younger readers. This first issue establishes a lighter story arc for the Halloween season.
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