Fans around the world enjoyed seeing Marvel Zombies shake up the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Two decades after its comic book publication, the franchise has been brought to life (pun intended) in an animated adaptation that doesn’t hold back. But despite its appeal, it’s not the only fan-favorite world where things have gone wrong for the heroes of the Marvel Universe.
Marvel Comics has explored many dark or wild alternate universes in various miniseries. There are worlds that show how the Civil War could have ended or what it would look like in a world dominated by Hydra. Read on to discover eight series that could easily serve as the basis for a spectacle every bit as engaging as Marvel Zombies.
8
Ruins
The Darkest Marvel Universe Ever
Marvel Zombies is certainly a very dark spectacle. But as any fan knows, things could get a lot darker for the heroes of the Marvel Universe and Ruins proves it. This miniseries was only two issues long, but that was all it took to show how every hero, from the Fantastic Four to Spider-Man, ended up suffering incredibly bad endings.
There’s no other way to say it. Ruins is dark. But the idea of a world where everything that could go wrong would be make an interesting mini-series. And it doesn’t have to get as dark as the original comic. Truth be told, moving away from the sheer misery of the original story could improve it for a wider audience.
7
Wonder 1602
A magical Elizabethan world
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been around for almost two decades and is just beginning to explore magic and the supernatural. It could be fun to explore a world where arcane is much more ubiquitous while reimagining the heroes of the Marvel Universe in an incredibly different setting, say England’s Elizabethan era.
Wonder 1602 is a fascinating world full of whimsical and curious versions of classic Marvel heroes. Just imagine the kinds of concepts the MCU could play with taking inspiration from this classic alternate Earth. After showing a world fallen to zombies, a look at a Marvel Universe set in the 1600s could be a welcome reprieve.
6
Deadpool: Illustrated
Deadpool takes on the classics
Deadpool’s star has risen significantly over the past year and even though he just completed his first official MCU project last year with Deadpool and Wolverinewhy not give him his own animated project? There are plenty of great stories to choose from, but Deadpool: Illustrated might just be the best option.
If Marvel finds itself a little reluctant to show Deadpool killing Marvel heroes, the best thing is for it to butcher the stories that inspired them. And come on, who wouldn’t want to see an animated Deadpool break down as he runs around killing beloved classic literary icons like Moby Dick and Sherlock Holmes?
5
Hail Hydra
A kingdom where Hydra rules the world
Hydra is no longer much of a threat in the MCU. But that doesn’t mean the franchise can’t explore a universe in which it has actually taken over the world. That’s exactly what the series says Hail Hydra made as a link with Secret Warsand it gave fans a captivating bite while showing readers the dangers of Hydra’s reign.
As Marvel Zombies has shown, the MCU isn’t afraid to get dark now, and it doesn’t really get any darker than the world being under a totalitarian regime. With a few tweaks to the story, a show about a small resistance to a global Hydra system could make for an incredibly gripping, not to mention timely, series.
4
House of M
A chance for the MCU to go further
To be fair, House of M was somewhat adapted, in part, during the Marvel Cinematic Universe show, WandaVisionwhich featured Scarlet Witch creating a false reality. That being said, it doesn’t go as big or as hard as the original House of M storyline, and it would be a shame for the franchise to never really explore such a fan-favorite story.
As the MCU finally begins to introduce mutants, now is the best time to start working on a real House of M adaptation, one that truly explores the relationship between humanity and mutants. Again, that’s probably a long way given how many WandaVision taken from House of Mbut there’s always a chance depending on how the X-Men approach the MCU.
3
Civil War (Vol.2)
Explore a different outcome of the MCU’s biggest conflict
Civil War was the greatest conflict in Marvel history and the MCU did a great job of showing the divide it drove between the superhero community. But like the Civil war attach to Secret Wars showed that the conflict can serve as a springboard for a new franchise, one that explores a world where the fight never ended.
For some, the conflict in the Civil war the film adaptation ended far too quickly. But a miniseries set in an alternate world can show a deeper, more lasting battle that truly tests the heroes, their alliances, and what they truly stand for. Given the ever-growing popularity of Iron Man and Captain America, it seems like a no-brainer to adapt.
2
Earth
Marvel heroes in a futuristic dystopia
Few stories in Marvel Comics history match the epic scale or beauty of the classic series, Earth. Set in a futuristic dystopia, heroes have fallen, villains have risen to power, and fans’ love of the Marvel Universe is barely recognizable. It’s a dark future that doesn’t stop us from showing heroes as people rather than perfect champions.
Are fans ready for a more introspective saga about the nature of heroism that challenges what they believe about heroes like Captain America? After nearly two decades, it seems fans are able to handle things that aren’t familiar or comfortable to them and adapt. Earth would truly breathe new life into the overall MCU franchise.
1
Punisher kills the Marvel Universe
Give fans fights they would never see otherwise
Everyone loves the Punisher and with Frank Castle now back in the MCU, people want to see more of him. So why not go all out and show Punisher in his element? And the best way to do it? Have him take on every possible hero and villain in the MCU.
Now, the chances of the Marvel Cinematic Universe adapting Punisher Kills the Marvel Universe are astronomically slim. But there’s no doubt that it would be entertaining. Maybe this could pass with a few changes. But if Marvel was willing to roll the dice with Marvel Zombiesthey could do the same with this iconic Punisher story.
- Release date
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2025 – 2025-00-00
- Network
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Disney+
- Directors
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Brian Andrews
