Well, you just had to know that the Marvel Zombies -- undead variations on Marvel's standard superhero theme, all conveniently set in a parallel universe that is exactly like the usual Marvel Universe in nearly every way ... except for the fact that Captain America is called Colonel America and, well, all the major heroes have turned into zombies and are eating everyone else -- are too good to lie fallow for long.

Enter Ash Williams, the cult-classic zombie fighter from the Evil Dead/Army of Darkness series of films. In this stand-alone book, Ash arrives in New York right at the outbreak of undeadedness and puts his trusty chainsaw and shotgun to work. Of course, Ash isn't used to battling zombies who dress in bright costumes and have superpowers to boot.

The Marvel Zombies had their birth from the fertile mind of writer Mark Millar and artist Greg Land, who were teammates then on the Ultimate Fantastic Four series. Robert Kirkman and Sean Phillips picked up the ball and ran with it in the followup story, Marvel Zombies. Now, John Layman and Fabiano Neves have it well in hand, as the ruggedly handsome Ash (based on the square jaw of actor Bruce Campbell) faces down the rotting Avengers and other key players from Marvel's roster of heroes.

It's fun, it's a little kooky and it's a whole lot grotesque. And even characters who don't rank high on my Marvel radar make memorable apperances here. For instance, the Punisher -- certainly one of Marvel's most overrated and overused vigilantes -- has an enjoyable cameo when he decides the outbreak of zombie madness still ranks behind his personal mission to slay criminals. You just know his single-minded obsession is going to end badly. Also entertaining is Ash's focused appreciation of the disco mutant Dazzler, who has not succumbed to the zombie plague and remains firmly packed. And Howard the Duck, who typically is best forgotten in any Marvel enterprise, makes a decisive and unforgettable entrance into the action.

I'm not sure how long Marvel can prolong its Zombie line, but as long as they keep churning out with this kind of quality, I'll keep reading. If you haven't jumped on the bandwagon, please do. But eat first.