Zombies seem to be the next big thing in horror writing, and Marvel -- obviously pleased with the success of its Marvel Zombies line -- greenlit this out-of-continuity story for its adult MAX line.

But while the Marvel Zombies offered something fresh and interesting in its yarns, lacing humor among the decaying superheroes and their messy eating habits, Zombie is more of the same old stuff. It starts out strong, with a bank robbery gone bad and a hostage and a would-be hero in a getaway car with two homicidal thieves. But once the car crosses into "contaminated" territory and is beset by walking, flesh-eating corpses, the story quickly becomes a fairly mundane, typical zombie gorefest.

Gore, of the torn flesh and veins-in-your-teeth variety, is the only reason for marketing this book through Marvel's adult imprint, so far as I can tell.

The story by Mike Raicht offers a few surprises, but not enough to sell me on this book. Zombie does nothing to elevate it above the rest of the shambling crowd.