Warning: SPOILERS for Marvel Zombies Resurrection #1
Fans were expecting a dose of horror starring their favorite superheroes from Marvel Zombies Resurrection #1, but what they weren’t expecting was a science lesson in how the cosmic villain Galactus works. And now, no reader will ever look the same way at the world-eater again.
The new undead nightmare strikes the Marvel Universe with a new, but familiar curse. Before the series officially launched, it was revealed that a zombie Galactus begins Resurrection, but the first issue shows that isn’t the full story. Yes, Earth’s heroes begin this horror story by discovering Galactus in our solar system… but he’s already dead. So what do you do when you discover the corpse of a cosmic conqueror floating in space? You head out to take a look, obviously–and learn the truth about Galactus and his supposedly “human” form.
As readers can guess, the mission eventually goes completely off the rails once the heroes make their way onto–sorry, into Galactus, confirmed to be floating, frozen solid, on his way into the solar system. The full issue that follows reveals who starts Marvel’s zombie apocalypse, and both delivers the horrifying carnage fans expect, and promises more to come. But the most interesting moment for many fans is going to be what Reed Richards discovers once he’s given unrestricted access to the physiology of Galactus.
As the team of heroes split up to investigate the signs of life and energy within the supposedly dead body of Galactus (a terrific strategy). Mr. Fantastic can’t help but share his findings:
It’s not the first time such a general idea has been put forth in Marvel Comics, suggesting that since Galactus is technically more of a ‘force’ or energy than a physical being, his appearance is only the observers’ attempts to comprehend him (in particular, his color being a subconscious echo of humanity viewing purple as the color of royalty). But Reed’s explanation in Resurrection leaves no room for misinterpretation: he is the same physical body as those looking upon him. And since it’s happening even after his death, it has absolutely nothing to do with Galactus at all.
Amazing. Galactus’ visually perceived form is dictated by the biases of the observer. Humans see him as human, Chitauri as Chitauri and so on. But my drones are now mapping what appears to be a physical humanoid body. Even in death, we’re remaking Galactus’ physical form in our own image, simply through our perception of it. The impact of an observer on their environment is well-documented, but this is–
Of course, this detail is yet another reason why more Marvel fans should follow Unbeatable Squirrel Girl. After beating Galactus in Issue #4, Doreen tests the rumor that “every species sees Galactus differently” by throwing her friend Tippy-Toe into the air to get a clear look. Tippy reports that she sees Galactus “probably the same way you do. Giant dude, purple clothes, tuning fork hat–the works.” Only the reader sees through Tippy’s eyes, transforming Galactus into a gigantic squirrel, all four feet to the sky.
There may have been some Marvel readers who questioned how much this gag should be taken as explicit canon, but Mr. Fantastic explaining the observer “remaking Galactus’ physical form in our own image” puts it simply enough to never be forgotten. See? Zombies CAN be educational!
Marvel Zombies Resurrection #1 is available now in your local comic book shop.
THE HORROR SMASH-HIT LIVES AGAIN! When Galactus’ corpse appears at the edge of Earth’s solar system, the Avengers, X-Men and Fantastic Four investigate. Too late, they discover that Galactus’ body is now the vessel of an interstellar terror, which one-by-one transforms Earth’s Mightiest Heroes into the universe’s most terrifying predators! As our heroes try to escape the superpowered, cannibalistic aberrations that were once their friends and family, will any survive? And even if they do, can they hope to protect Earth from the infestation that has already claimed half of the known universe? Don’t miss the FIRST ISSUE of this terrifying new vision of the classic Marvel tale!
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