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Marvel Zombies gets terrifying new outbreak in Dawn of Decay

By Liam McGuire

Sept. 6th, 2024

Marvel Zombies gets an exciting new installment featuring an all-new virus taking over the Marvel Universe in horrifying fashion.

Marvel Zombies is an incredibly popular line originally created by Mark Millar, Greg Land, and Robert Kirkman showcasing a universe where the greatest heroes on Earth and beyond became infected with a virus transforming them into the undead. There have been several series showcasing how different Earths have been impacted by a zombie infection spreading and in Marvel Zombies: Dawn of Decay by Thomas Krajewski and Jason Muhr, a new outbreak is explored.

In the first issue, Groot and Rocket’s adventures lead the former to get sick. And when Groot coughs in the face of Captain America, it will create a domino effect leading to the Marvel Universe transforming and becoming overrun by the undead. Groot will be unaffected by the virus and will team up alongside another hero who can’t be infected — the Hulk. The pair will work together to try to create a cure for the zombies but might be forced to use their powers to take out whoever stands in their way.

Marvel Zombies: Dawn of Decay #1 features main cover art from Jason Muhr featuring Groo being surrounded by his former Avengers friends, with Black Widow, Iron Man, and Captain America trying to take a bite from his wooden skin. Annie Wu’s variant flips a classic X-Men cover on its head, as zombified versions of Professor X, Cyclops, Wolverine, Jean Grey, and Magneto emerge from a Krakoan portal but ready to take a bite of whoever they see first. Ron Lim and Romulo Fajardo Jr.’s variant sees Groot face off against Captain America, while Hulk battles an undead Thor. Additionally, there will be a connecting variant from Sean Galloway, and a 1:25 variant from Nick Bradshaw.

Groot feels bad – not only because Rocket’s latest scheme put them firmly in the crosshairs of the Avengers, but also he’s just plain sick! Sap-dripping nose and all. Things go from bad to apocalyptic, however, after an ill-timed sneeze in Captain America’s face has unforeseeable consequences! Suddenly, Groot is being attacked by a horde of zombified Avengers, and only he and Hulk, with his impenetrable green skin, remain impervious. Now it’s up to these two heroes to team up and fight their way through a blighted New York City to Banner’s lab in Avengers Tower to find a cure before it’s too late. But can Groot keep the hero in check and on track, or will Hulk unleash his deadly might on the zombies they once called friends?