By Marc Strom
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MARVEL ZOMBIES 4 #4Artwork byKev Walker |
When the Midnight Sons set out to stop the zombie plague from infecting the Marvel Universe at large, they never imagined things would go this badly.
Now, with storm clouds literally raining the plague down on them,
Morbius and his team of monsters have find a way to stop the plague in MARVEL ZOMBIES 4 #4 on July 29, with the able-bodied help of writer Fred Van Lente and artist Kev Walker.
"They warned of the risks—that they would be terminated if they were zombified, and they could be zombified simply from the vaccine they took," says Van Lente of the team's chances of survival. "So it may be a textbook definition of a 'suicide mission.' But the fact they undertook it anyway to save humanity from the zombie virus makes these monsters true heroes."
Jack Russell, aka. Werewolf by Night, fell victim to the zombie virus in the previous issue, a development that will have a profound effect on his teammates.
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MARVEL ZOMBIES 4 #4Artwork byKev Walker |
"Jack is the most down-to-Earth of the Sons, the most of an 'Everyman,'" relates Van Lente. "To have what is essentially the heart of the Midnight Sons be corrupted by the virus is really the most painful blow they could have received—and that's what makes it dramatic."
And though Russell previously stated he had come to terms with being "irrevocably doomed," Van Lente questions whether he really meant what he said.
"Is anyone [really fine with that]?" the writer questions. "Well, maybe I am. I practice breaking down barricaded houses half-naked and mumbling about 'brains' late at night. It really irritates my neighbors."
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MARVEL ZOMBIES 4 #4Artwork byKev Walker |
Jennifer Kale has also become a casualty of sorts, with the evil
Dormammu taking control of her body and powers in order to ensure the zombie virus spreads outside its current island environment. But Kale's prospects look at least partially better than Russell's at this point.
"Her only saving grace may be that she's possessed by a demon and one of her teammates, Daimon Hellstrom, is a trained exorcist," hypothesizes Van Lente.
With few other options on the table, it doesn't look like Morbius could even manipulate the newly-possessed Kale into helping them disperse the zombie death cloud hanging over all their heads.
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MARVEL ZOMBIES 4 #4Artwork byKev Walker |
"I think [Morbius would] do anything he could to stop the cloud from spreading at this point, because he is at least partially responsible for it," explains Van Lente. "But unfortunately Dormammu is not really the type you can manipulate. The Lord of the Dark Dimension is usually the one doing the manipulating, as Jen learned to her chagrin."
Another of Dormammu's pawns, the Hood, also finds himself in the middle of the zombie madness, as his master originally dispatched him to gain control of the virus himself. And even though Dormammu wants the plague, when push comes to shove the Hood only has his own interests at heart.
"He certainly doesn't want the plague to spread into him," Van Lente points out. "The Hood is in this for self-preservation more than anything else. Fortunately, even without powers, he is still an experienced miscreant, so Daimon and Morbius can hopefully make those skills work for them."
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MARVEL ZOMBIES 4 #4Artwork byKev Walker |
Finally, as Van Lente sees it, if the Midnight Sons fail to stop the plague, the outlook for the Marvel Universe—and Marvel Comics—looks very grim indeed.
"Let's hope this works out, because if the Midnight Sons don't stop the plague, it will overrun the Marvel Universe and Marvel will have to cancel almost all its books. Except the Illustrated line. And Marvel Adventures. And Ultimate. And the licensed stuff. And MAX. Well, they'll have to cancel 75% of the line. So goooooo Sons!"
Pick up MARVEL ZOMBIES 4 #4, on sale July 29.
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