TITLE: Zombies Assemble Issue #0
YEAR: September 2017
COMPANY: Marvel Comics
Writer/Artist: Yusaku Komiyama
Script: Jim Zub
Letters: VC’s Travs Lanham
In Japan, Kodansha Comics have released two graphic novels of “Avengers/Zombies Assemble”.
And in the United States, Marvel Comics is releasing each chapter of “Avengers/Zombies Assemble” which was written by Yusaku Komiyama and features art by Komiyama as well.
Featuring a script by Jim Zub and letters by VC’s Travis Lanham, “Zombies Assemble” focuses on the movie version of the characters: Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye.
And similar to Japanese manga, the comic book version follows the Japanese style of going right to left, so what is technically the final page in an American comic book, is the cover for this manga series.
As for the storyline, as the Avengers are celebrating a surprise birthday party for Tony Stark and then an alien infestation takes place in New York City. Dr. Toshiko Amano wanted to help mankind but she unleashes a virus that turns people and also superheroes into Chitauri hybrids (ala zombies).
Attempts to make an antidote have failed and now, things are not looking good on Earth.
In issue #0, in Japan, this chapter was known as “Avengers/Age of Ultron” and it pretty much features Tony Stark and Pepper Potts discovering their love for each other.
As Tony was badly injured in the Avengers latest battle, Pepper was busy running Stark Industries. Meanwhile, Tony received a letter with a threat, dispose all armored suits within seven day or the lady who own these earrings will not be safe.
With someone threatening Pepper’s life, Tony decides to say goodbye to being Iron Man and marry Pepper.
But someone comes to attack Tony and Pepper and it happens to be a colleague of Pepper who wants revenge on Tony Stark for the destruction of Sokovia (featured in the second “Avengers” film) and Tony decides to create the ultimate peacekeeping system known as Ultron in order to replace the Avengers…the perfect A.I. to solve all their problems.
This issue is merely an additional storyline that really has nothing to do with zombies but merely showcasing the relationship of Tony and Pepper and what led to the creation of Ultron.
But for the most part, this issue is for those who love the manga series and wanted this bonus chapter to add to their collection. Not necessary reading but great for completionists and fans of “Zombies Assemble”.