- The “Red Band” rating immediately justifies itself.
- The text describes a scene of “existential mayhem”.
- We see sounds of “CHOMP,” “CRUNCH,” and screams of terror.
- “BEN… HER HEART!” Peter screams.
- Hulk fights the Thing and Reed (“Stretchy Man”).
- “WHERE… ARE THE STARS?” he asks.
If you thought you knew the origin of the Marvel Universe, think again. Marvel Zombies: Red Band #1 (2025) takes us back to the Silver Age of 1961, but with a gruesome, blood-soaked twist that earns its “Explicit Content” warning. Written by Ethan S. Parker and Griffin Sheridan with art by Jan Bazaldua, this isn’t your typical superhero romp. It’s a raw, violent reimagining of the dawn of the Age of Heroes, where the shuttle flight that created the Fantastic Four brings back something far worse than cosmic rays. This blog covers the full story of the debut issue, taking you page-by-page through the carnage, the heartbreak, and the desperate formation of a resistance. Buckle up—it’s going to be a bumpy, bloody ride.
The Calm Before the Storm
The story opens in a familiar setting: the Parker residence in Queens. We see a young, shy Peter Parker alongside Aunt May and Uncle Ben. It’s a perfect snapshot of 1961 Americana. They are gathered around the television, eagerly awaiting a historic event: the return of a rogue shuttle carrying four “intrepid adventurers”.
The dialogue here is heavy with dramatic irony. Aunt May worries about Peter watching “dreadful things” on TV, while the news announcer hypes up the “rogue astronauts’ return”. We also get a nod to Peter’s budding alter-ego; the TV mentions a “special appearance of the overnight sensation… The Spider-Man” on the Ed Sullivan Show tomorrow night. It’s a world on the brink of a superhero explosion, but fate has a different plan.
The Crash and The Carnage
The shuttle crash-lands, but the heroic entrance we expect is replaced by a nightmare. The crew—Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm—emerge, but they aren’t the Fantastic Four. They are monsters.
The “Red Band” rating immediately justifies itself. The broadcast captures the horror live. The astronauts, now ravenous zombies, attack the crowd and the military personnel. The text describes a scene of “existential mayhem”. We see sounds of “CHOMP,” “CRUNCH,” and screams of terror. This isn’t just an attack; it’s a feeding frenzy. The broadcast cuts out, apologizing for the “disturbing nature of the footage”, but the damage is done. The Fantastic Four have become the harbingers of the apocalypse.
Tragedy at the Parker Home
Back in Queens, the horror hits home—literally. The shock of the broadcast triggers a medical emergency for Aunt May. “BEN… HER HEART!” Peter screams. The wholesome family scene disintegrates into panic. Uncle Ben and Peter rush her to the hospital, unaware that they are heading straight into the jaws of the infection. This scene establishes the personal stakes: in this universe, the zombie outbreak isn’t just a global threat; it’s a personal tragedy for Spider-Man from day one.
The Call for Help
Meanwhile, the Teen Brigade, led by Rick Jones, intercepts the news. Realizing the military is overwhelmed, Rick sends a desperate radio signal: “HULK! THERE ARE BLOODTHIRSTY CREATURES ATTACKING NEW YORK CITY! S.O.S.!”.
The call is intercepted, not just by the Hulk, but by Tony Stark (Iron Man). Stark, described here as the “millionaire industrialist and playboy,” realizes the gravity of the situation. It’s a clever way to assemble the “Big Three” (Cap is seemingly absent/on ice, but Iron Man and Thor are active) quickly. Iron Man suits up, remarking on the “villain of the week”.
The Hospital Massacre
The scene shifts to a New York hospital, where Dr. Don Blake (Thor’s alter ego) is tending to patients. He is thanking a nurse/patient for saving a life, a moment of calm before the storm. Suddenly, the “survivors” from the rocket site are wheeled in. But they aren’t survivors—they are infected, or followed by the Zombie FF.
Chaos erupts in the ER. Dr. Blake witnesses the carnage and realizes mortal medicine is useless here. He strikes his cane, transforming into the Mighty Thor! “HAVE AT THEE, VILLAIN!” he bellows, wading into the battle.
Simultaneously, we see Peter and Uncle Ben arrive with Aunt May. The situation spirals out of control. We see sound effects like “THWIP”, confirming Peter uses his web-shooters in the chaos. But it might be too late. The text is chilling: “AUNT MAY!!!… SNAP… MAAAAY!!!”. The implication is that Aunt May is attacked, possibly killed or infected, right in front of Peter. The “Spider-Man” is born in blood and failure here, adding a layer of darkness to his origin.
The Streets of Hell’s Kitchen
The infection spreads to the streets. We briefly cut to Matt Murdock (Daredevil) and Foggy Nelson. They are debating Matt’s secret identity and his relationship with Karen Page. The mundane legal drama is interrupted by the sounds of sirens and screams. Matt’s enhanced senses pick up the horror before anyone else. “MATT? WHERE’D YOU GO?!” Foggy asks, as Daredevil likely disappears to join the fray.
The “Frightful Four” Regroup
We return to the source of the horror. The Zombie Fantastic Four have regrouped. What makes them terrifying is that they are intelligent. Reed Richards, with rotting skin, speaks to his team. He rejects the chaos. “WE WILL BE ORGANIZED. WE WILL BE SMART ABOUT THIS,” he commands.
They embrace their new nature. Reed declares they aren’t just there to feed; they are there to recruit. They dub themselves the “Frightful Four”, a twisted mockery of their heroic destiny. This confirms that the zombie virus in this universe retains the host’s intellect and powers, making them infinitely more dangerous.
The Battle of New York
The heavy hitters arrive. The Hulk crashes into the scene with a roar of “HULK SMASH SIX!!!” (misinterpreting a soldier’s warning to “watch your six”) . Iron Man descends from the sky, repulsors ready.
Iron Man tries to reason with Reed, appealing to the man he once knew. “YOU WERE A SMART MAN… ROLL OVER,” Stark demands. But Zombie Reed counters chillingly, noting that while their hearts don’t beat, their stomachs never stop growling.
The battle is brutal. Hulk fights the Thing and Reed (“Stretchy Man”). Iron Man blasts away. But the zombies are durable and cunning. Realizing they are outnumbered by the raw power of Hulk and Thor, Reed orders a tactical retreat. “WE NEED TO RETREAT. NOW,” he says. The zombies escape, leaving the heroes standing amidst the ruin.
The Aftermath and A New Team
The dust settles. The initial outbreak has been contained, but the “Frightful Four” are loose. The surviving heroes—Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, and presumably Spider-Man/Daredevil—are left to pick up the pieces.
Iron Man and the others realize that the world has changed forever. The “age of marvels” has begun, not with hope, but with horror. They discuss the need for a unified defense. “THE WORLD NEEDS DEFENDERS,” the narration states, hinting at the formation of an Avengers/Defenders hybrid team born out of necessity.
The issue closes with a cosmic tease. Far away in space, the Silver Surfer soars through the cosmos. But he stops, confused. “WHERE… ARE THE STARS?” he asks. The stars are missing or obscured. It’s an ominous cliffhanger that suggests the rot isn’t just on Earth—something is wrong with the universe itself.
