This video serves as a comprehensive recap of Marvel Studios' "What If Zombies?" (Season 1, Episode 5) to prepare viewers for the upcoming "Marvel Zombies" series, scheduled for release on September 24th. It details an alternate MCU reality where a quantum virus, originating from Janet Van Dyne in the Quantum Realm, transforms Earth's heroes into zombies. The recap covers Bruce Banner's initial encounter with the infected, the formation and arduous journey of a group of surviving heroes (including Spider-Man, Wasp, and Winter Soldier) as they seek a cure, and their arrival at Camp Lehigh, where Vision reveals a partial cure and his grim containment of a zombified Wanda Maximoff. The narrative culminates in Vision's self-sacrifice, the heroic stand of Bucky and Hulk, and the grim revelation that Wakanda, humanity's last hope, has fallen to a zombified Thanos wielding multiple Infinity Stones. The video also previews new characters confirmed to appear in the "Marvel Zombies" series, notably including Mahershala Ali's Blade.
Summarizing "Everything You Need to Know Before Watching Marvel Zombies"
0:00 "Marvel Zombies" Series Release: The new "Marvel Zombies" series is set to release on September 24th.
0:13 Originating Episode: The series is a spin-off from "What If... Zombies?", episode 5 of the first season of Marvel Studios' "What If" series, released in September 2021.
0:40 New Characters Confirmed: The new "Marvel Zombies" series will feature appearances from numerous MCU heroes and villains not seen in the original "What If" episode, including Shang-Chi, Katie Chen, Death Dealer, Wen Wu, Abomination, Yelena Belova, Red Guardian, Melina Vostokoff, Ghost, John Walker, Baron Zemo, Jimmy Woo, Ikaris, Captain Marvel, Ms. Marvel, Kate Bishop, Ironheart, Najma, Valkyrie, and Thor.
1:10 Blade's Unique Role: Mahershala Ali's Blade will also appear, voiced by Todd Williams, and seemingly replaces Moon Knight's Mark Spector as the avatar of Khonshu, the Egyptian god of the moon and night sky, in this post-apocalyptic reality.
1:35 Zombie Outbreak Origin: The zombie apocalypse began in 2018 when Hank Pym ventured into the Quantum Realm, finding his wife Janet Van Dyne already zombified by a quantum virus. They returned to Earth and spread the infection, initially attacking Scott Lang (Ant-Man), while Hope Van Dyne (Wasp) managed to escape.
2:35 Initial Survivor Group: Bruce Banner (Hulk) is saved from zombified Iron Man, Doctor Strange, and Wong by the Cloak of Levitation, Wasp (Hope Van Dyne), and Spider-Man. They later form a group with Winter Soldier (Bucky Barnes), Happy Hogan, Kurt Gorschter, Sharon Carter, and Okoye.
3:55 Heroic Sacrifices: The group faces continuous attacks from zombified heroes like Hawkeye and Falcon (zombifying Happy Hogan), and Captain America (fatally wounding Sharon Carter). Hope Van Dyne, after being infected while trying to save Sharon, sacrifices herself to a zombie horde to allow the others to escape.
4:56 Vision's Sanctuary & Partial Cure: At Camp Lehigh, the survivors encounter Vision, who has used the Mind Stone to keep zombies at bay. He reveals he partially cured Scott Lang, leaving him as a disembodied head.
5:26 Vision's Dark Secret: Vision has been containing a zombified Wanda Maximoff, whom he failed to cure, and was feeding her parts of T'Challa (Black Panther), who he had kept hidden and missing a leg.
6:11 Vision's Sacrifice: After Wanda breaks free, killing Kurt and Okoye, Vision tears the Mind Stone from his own head, sacrificing his life, to allow Peter, Scott (head), and T'Challa to escape to Wakanda.
6:24 Final Stand: Bucky Barnes and Bruce Banner (transforming into Hulk) stay behind to hold off Wanda and the overwhelming zombie horde, allowing the others to flee.
6:45 Wakanda's Fate: Unbeknownst to the escaping heroes, Wakanda, thought to be the last human sanctuary, has already been overrun by a zombified Thanos, who now possesses five of the six Infinity Stones.
7:00 Call to Action: The video concludes, encouraging viewers to like, subscribe, and share their excitement for the new series and thoughts on other potential "What If" spin-offs.