Marvel Comics has revealed Marvel Zombies: War Zone, a new entry in the horrifying alternate universe starring the Punisher/Frank Castle, Luke Cage, Elektra, Iron Fist, and Moon Knight. Written by Tom Waltz (TMNT: The Last Ronin, Wolverine: Blood Hunt), and drawn (in his Marvel debut) by Jaime Infante (Honor and Curse: Eternal), the five-issue series sees New York’s street-level vigilantes band together after the Avengers and the Fantastic Four fail to prevent a zombie virus from infecting the city.
Marvel Zombies: War Zone #1 cover by Tony Parker
The official synopsis elaborates, “A zombie outbreak has hit Manhattan and the whole city is rapidly overrun! As Earth’s Mightiest Heroes succumb to the virus, a barrier is hastily erected to protect the world — but inside the barrier, a war zone has broken out as survivors fight for their lives against the ever-growing horde. However, one man isn’t looking for survival – he’s after answers as he carves a bloody swathe of his own through the ravaged city. And if any zombies get in his way? Well, the PUNISHER has plenty of lead that they can eat!”
Waltz states, “Having cut my teeth as a writer in the comics industry with my creator-owned military horror story Children of the Grave, then transitioning into a long stint writing mutated ninjas — as well as being an unabashed fan of super heroes — getting offered the chance to write a Marvel Zombies series was an exciting opportunity to combine all three facets of my career. My first instinct was to take the popular Marvel zombie trope to the streets — and what better lens to witness it through than that of an old Marine like me: Frank Castle, the Punisher.”
He adds, “I can’t wait for fans to see the darkly beautiful work rising-star artist Jaime Infante is rendering for this bloody journey into NYC’s heart of darkness. Guns, guts, gore, ninjas, capes and cowls — it’s all here!” Infante himself shares, “I wish I could tell my twelve-year-old self that I’d be drawing a comic for Marvel. And Punisher, no less! Plus, I admire Tom Waltz, and the script he’s written lets me play with deep shadows and violent action.”
Issue #1 will be released on September 2, with a cover by Tony Parker, and you can check out an uncolored three-page preview below. In the meantime, the Punisher will star in the miniseries Spider-Man: Long Way Home (starting Wednesday, June 17), and Punisher vs. Spider-Man (July 15), in addition to returning to the big screen in Spider-Man: Brand New Day on July 31. He and Moon Knight are also currently starring in their own ongoings, while Luke Cage will take center stage as one of the Avengers again in November’s relaunch.
