Age of Ultron Vs. Marvel Zombies is the final graphic novel I currently own that uses the Marvel Zombies licence. Like Marvel Zombies: Battleworld that released the same year, this one takes place in the 'Battleworld' (a place where different multiverse have combined into one large whole). I had heard bad things about this, but it didn't really do too much wrong in actuality.
The Hank Pym from the Western world of 1872 is sent over 'the wall' (a huge structure designed to keep the worst multiverse worlds of Battleworld away from the rest) for the crime of trying to construct a clockwork metal man. The bad part is ruled over by three factions, zombified Magneto who controls the undead population in the Deadlands, Ultron who rules over the robots of Perfection, and a reptilian force (who don't factor into the story). Before Hank can fall prey to any of these he is rescued by the trio of Jim Hammond, The Vision and Wonder Man who take him to a protected settlement they've named Salvation. As an alternate version of Hank was the one who created Ultron in the first place, the three hope this Hank will be able to identify a weakness in the humanity hating robot and finally put an end to his reign of terror. Meanwhile, sick of fighting each other, the robots and zombies have decided to team up, merging to become zombie cyborgs in order to destroy Salvation.
This graphic novel brings together Age of Ultron Vs. Marvel Zombies issues 1-4. Perhaps due to the short length it was decided to also include issue 1 of Age of Ultron, an issue which sits awkwardly at the end of the novel. I assume that was to get people interested in that storyline, especially as it ends on a big cliffhanger. It didn't have zombies but it was set in a post apocalyptic world. As for the zombie story itself, by now pretty much every Marvel hero and villain has made an appearance several times over. Still, it was fun to see these characters again. On the undead side you have Magneto, Sabretooth, The Vulture, M.O.D.O.K and Owl as the ones I immediately recognised. On the hero side my favourite appearance was a Punisher who appeared to be from the 17th Century, armed with flintlock pistol and sword and wearing a Witchfinder style hat. A lot of the other heroes I didn't really recognise, as always this is something that will give a lot more enjoyment if you are familiar with the characters.
The story was relatively basic, it may take place in the same place as Battleworld but the story wasn't as involved. A simple antagonist set-up of two different factions teaming up, a familiar hero plotline of people having to sacrifice themselves for the greater good. Saying that, I did enjoy reading this, you have a story written by James Robinson, and art by Steve Pugh that felt slightly too cartoon like on occasion. There wasn't much blood at all, the undead only really coming into contact with humans right towards the end, previous to that it was mainly robot versus undead fighting.
Age of Ultron Vs, Marvel Zombies was a perfectly functional graphic novel. For someone like me who is way down the Marvel Zombies rabbit hole (I believe this is the thirteenth one I have read in the series) it was another fun stop-off, even if there have definitely been better ones.
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