Marvel Comics in 2025 has been all about big swings, from ending the Ultimate Universe to comics that pack a lot of fun into every issue, like Godzilla Destroys the Marvel Universe and Marvel Zombies. Yes, I’m grouping Marvel Zombies in there after one issue because it’s clear the vision is as big as possible, and it’s not skimping to extend a story past its due. In the latest issue, Jean Grey takes center stage, and the story shifts in a big way as Battleworld comes to a zombified Earth!
Marvel Zombies: Red Band #2 is a well-plotted and packed issue, with plenty of character beats, little jokes, and high stakes. The first five pages give us a nice beginning, middle, and end to Jean’s first joining Xavier’s school. All seems well, but then the zombie outbreak occurs the night she gets comfortable! Not only is there a creepy dream sequence straight out of Nightmare on Elm Street, but Jan Bazaldua brings the heavy, blood-dripping gore. The blood practically has a weight to it.
The rest of the issue takes place a bit later, with Jean now accustomed to taking out zombies, even if it still feels wrong to kill a humanoid. Entering this issue is Spider-Man, still new to being a hero, and a surprise blast from the past. The middle section of the issue features good dialogue, keeping you invested in each of the three heroes.
Like a scene straight out of an ’80s horror.
Credit: Marvel
Rounding out the issue is the Battleworld portion, which is a neat concept when combined with zombies. Once again, Ethan Parker and Griffin Sheridan pluck some surprise characters to be featured, with bits of funny dialogue for the zombies in the book. There are a few jokes tucked away that are nicely integrated into all exposition and character work.
One gripe, and it’s similar to the last issue, is that the gore isn’t Red Band worthy. There’s one scene with Jean and Cyclops that’s good, but outside of that, this book is tame. It doesn’t help that there’s only one other intense action moment, as most of the issue is characters talking.
Marvel Zombies: Red Band #2 deepens the series’ mix of heart and horror, grounding its apocalypse through Jean Grey’s haunting perspective while expanding the chaos to Battleworld. Ethan Parker and Griffin Sheridan aren’t making a gory shock comic, but a stuffed-to-the-brim adventure that’s a carefully constructed, character-driven reimagining of Marvel’s darkest corner. If it’s still holding back on true Red Band carnage, it more than compensates with smart writing, emotional weight, and a bloody good sense of fun.
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