Nearly a full year after release, Marvel Rivalsis getting its first-ever PvE (player versus enemy) mode in the form of “Marvel Zombies.”
Like the name implies, the mode is a collaboration with Marvel Animation and based on the recent Disney+ animated series of the same name. In the game, four players will take on endless hordes of the undead as Thor, Magik, Punisher, Jeff the Shark, and Blade, who each have different buffs or abilities specific to this mode. Players will also fight against two bosses: Zombie Namor and Scarlet Witch in her “Queen of the Dead” form, which are both from the show. The mode is a fun inclusion—zombies used to be all the rage for major video games back in the day, and it’s easy to imagine Rivals would’ve had it even without doing any TV synergy.
NetEase is currently keeping mum on what rewards or progression awaits with this new “Zombie” mode. Weeks ago, the developer revealed Marvel Rivals would get some Zombies-themed skins for characters like Blade, Spider-Man, and Scarlet Witch, and it’s a fun addition just in time for the spooky season. Hopefully more PvE modes are on the horizon, and not just ones connected to MCU projects.
More information about the “Zombies” mode and a longer trailer will both come before its launch on Thursday, October 23.
We’ve known since the start of the latest season that Matt Murdock would be the second hero joining the angelic Angela in Marvel Rivals‘ ever-growing roster. But now we know exactly when we can get our hands on him, as well as the game’s first Halloween celebration in style, which is bringing a little Marvel Zombies flavoring with it.
In a new update video released by NetEase today, the Rivals team confirmed that Daredevil—the latest damage-focused duelist added to Rivals‘ roster post-launch—will be joining the game on October 10 as part of the season 4.5 update. Little has been revealed about Daredevil’s toolkit in the game yet, but it was teased that he will be able to use his radar sense to pick out priority targets, as well as use his agility to perform gap closers before primarily fighting in melee range with his billy clubs.
Matty is the fifth duelist out of the 10 characters added to Marvel Rivals post-launch, so I and my fellow strategist mains can languish for a little while longer hoping that next season it’ll be our time to shine (imagine if they’d somehow made Daredevil a support character. Health-regenerating concussions from his clubs like he’s doing pressure point therapy?), but Daredevil isn’t the only fun addition coming to the game next month.
As well as a new game mode that will be revealed at the Thailand Game Show October 17, season 4.5 will also see Rivals‘ first Halloween-themed event, bringing with it a bevy of spooktacular skins.
Although most of the designs are original, like Peni Parker and Namor getting Day of the Dead-inspired skins and resident sharky menace Jeff being turned into an adorable pumpkin, at least two skins coming as part of the event are directly inspired by the recently released Marvel Zombies animated series. Both Scarlet Witch and Blade will receive Zombies skins, with Wanda being turned into her undead MCU look, while Blade will get a Moon Knight makeover to reflect his role as the avatar of Khonshu in the TV series.
It’s a perfectly timed turnaround for Rivals to get a bit of MCU synergy again, but it’ll be interesting to see what else the Rivals team is whipping up for their first chance to celebrate spooky season.
Marvel Rivals‘ latest update goes live on October 10.
Chadwick Boseman’s legacy resurfaced in Marvel Zombies with T’Challa’s on-screen sacrifice. In the animated series, Black Panther battles Zombie Thanos before giving his life to destroy the Infinity Stones. The moment arrives as Marvel continues to expand its animated slate on Disney+.
T’Challa’s Marvel Zombies sacrifice makes Chadwick Boseman fans sad
T’Challa’s sacrifice in Marvel Zombies has sparked strong reactions online, with fans of Chadwick Boseman reflecting on the emotional moment. In the animated series, Black Panther fights Zombie Thanos and ultimately gives his life to destroy the Infinity Stones. The episode shows Spider-Man narrating the event, framing it as a heroic farewell to the Wakandan king.
Viewers on X (formerly Twitter) expressed how deeply the scene resonated. One post read, “This part really got me crying. T’Challa is so fearless, leaping like a real panther… and still just as powerful. #MarvelZombies.” Another fan highlighted the pivotal moment: “Zombie Thanos vs Black Panther HELL YEAH and he sacrificed himself to save the universe, damn it was emotional.”
The sequence also carried significance for those who tied it back to Boseman’s legacy. One user shared, “[SPOILERS] Witnessing T’Challa in action once more meant everything. As the Wakandan music played, tears clouded my eyes immediately… man, I missed him so much. You’ll always be my favorite superhero and still one of my strongest inspirations.” The comment received over 737,000 views, reflecting the impact of the scene.
#MarvelZombies [SPOILERS] Witnessing T’Challa in action once more meant everything. As the Wakandan music played, tears clouded my eyes immediately…man, I missed him so much. You’ll always be my favorite superhero and still one of my strongest inspirations. pic.twitter.com/Igdme8VGwB
Marvel gave Chadwick Boseman a final heroic send-off in #MarvelZombies—Black Panther sacrifices himself to destroy Zombie Thanos and the Infinity Stones… with Spider-Man telling the story. Should Marvel Studios have recast T’Challa’s voice, or is this the perfect farewell? ? pic.twitter.com/wNJ2zMzS7j
Another post pointed out Marvel’s handling of the character: “Marvel gave Chadwick Boseman a final heroic send-off in #MarvelZombies—Black Panther sacrifices himself to destroy Zombie Thanos and the Infinity Stones… with Spider-Man telling the story. Should Marvel Studios have recast T’Challa’s voice, or is this the perfect farewell?” Alongside the post, images showed Black Panther battling Zombie Thanos in a glowing suit, with a caption overlay reading, “Like he knew that it was the last time.”
The storyline offered audiences a chance to see T’Challa’s bravery once more, with many fans framing it as a powerful tribute.
Originally reported by Vritti Johar on SuperHeroHype.
Marvel Zombies is the forthcoming animated television miniseries created by Bryan Andrews and Zeb Wells. Set in an alternate timeline from the rest of the MCU that was introduced in the “What If…Zombies?!” episode that aired in 2021, the show arrives on Disney+ later this month.
Check out the new Marvel Zombies trailer below (watch more trailers and clips):
What happens in the new Marvel Zombies trailer?
The new Marvel Zombies trailer sees some of the most powerful Marvel Studios characters — including Thanos, Captain America, and many more — turn into undead, flesh-eating creatures. The fate of the world rests in the hands of a small group of survivors, one of whom is Spider-Man. At the end of the trailer, Spidey throws Thor’s Stormbreaker axe directly at undead Thanos; however, the weapon does nothing to stop the zombified villain.
The voice cast of Marvel Zombies includes Awkwafina as Katy, David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian, Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch, Randall Park as Jimmy Woo, Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, Paul Rudd as Scott Lang/Ant-Man, Wyatt Russell as John Walker/U.S. Agent, Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie, Hailee Steinfeld as Kate Bishop, Iman Vellani as Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel, Dominique Thorne as Riri Williams/Ironheart, Todd Williams as Eric Brooks/Blade Knight, and Hudson Thames as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, among others.
“After the Avengers are overtaken by a zombie plague, a desperate group of survivors discover the key to bringing an end to the super-powered undead, racing across a dystopian landscape and risking life and limb to save their world,” a description of the Marvel show’s plot reads.
Marvel Zombies is executive produced by Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Brad Winderbaum, Dana Vasquez-Eberhardt, Andrews, and Wells, while Danielle Costa and Carrie Wassenaar serve as producers. All four episodes arrive on Disney+ on September 24, 2025.
Originally reported by Brandon Schreur at SuperHeroHype.
The future of Marvel Television is looking bright, as evidenced by the awesome new sizzle reel released on Wednesday. In the two-minute clip, Marvel debuted new footage from seven upcoming shows, several of which no one had seen any footage from yet.
There’s What If…? season three coming December 22—then in 2025, Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man coming January 25, Daredevil: Born Again coming March 4, Ironheart on June 24, Eyes of Wakanda on August 6, Marvel Zombies in October, and Wonder Man rounding out the year in December.
And even though it’s a short preview, Marvel was sure to pack a lot in it. Here are the 21 cool things we spotted in the footage.
Matt and Wilson have a chat – Marvel
Daredevil: Born Again
A new suit (:26)– Each time the Man Without Fear appears in Marvel, he’s seemingly got a new suit, and this time is no exception.
Mayor Fisk (:13, 1:34, 1:36)– As expected and teased, most notably in Echo, Wilson Fisk (aka the Kingpin) is now mayor of New York City.
Punisher is back (:15, 1:37) – While the first section of the trailer has a brief shot of Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle, later we see him in his Punisher outfit.
Muse (:09) – The footage features our first look at the villain Muse.
Yusuf Khan (:30)– Arguably the biggest Easter egg in the whole trailer is the appearance of Mr. Khan, aka Kamala’s dad from Ms. Marvel and The Marvels. He’s the guy asking Matt about being a lawyer. Could his daughter play a role here?
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man – Marvel
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man
The footage here is super quick so really the biggest takeaway is this unique spin (pun intended) on a Spider-Man staple—the homemade suit. (:36)
Anthony Ramos as the Hood in Ironheart – Marvel
Ironheart
Han Solo team up (:08)– Sorry, Alden Ehrenreich, you’re always young Han Solo to us. And in a very quick shot early in the trailer, we see that Riri Williams brings him one of her armors.
The Hood (:10, :45)– The trailer has a few quick looks at the Hood, the villain of the show played by Anthony Ramos.
New armors (:43, :47)– it looks like Riri will have a few armors in Ironheart and the white one is reminiscent of one of Tony Stark’s variants in Iron Man 3.
Agents Coulson and Fury in What If…? – Marvel
What If…? Season 3
Agent Coulson returns (:57) – Nick Fury leads a team, maybe traveling on the Bifrost, that includes everyone’s favorite agent, Coulson.
The Avenger Voltron (:59) – A shot of a Captain America-themed mech is from an episode where several Avengers pilot similar robots that all combine into one.
Cowboy Shang-Chi (:57) – An obvious one, but it’s good to finally see this hero back as we patiently wait for his live-action return.
A very mysterious and intriguing character from Marvel Zombies – Marvel
Marvel Zombies
Is that Blade? (1:02) – A man slices and dices up zombies that looks a little like Mahershala Ali in a Moon Knight costume. Is it Moon Knight? Is it Blade? Is it someone else?
Varied zombies (1:01)– A quick shot shows not only a zombie member of the Dora Milaje but also potentially Cull Obsidian?
Zombie Thanos (1:34) – An undead Thanos? What’s scarier than that?
A brief shot from Eyes of Wakanda – Marvel
Eyes of Wakanda
There isn’t a ton we can glean from the two quick shots outside of its very unique and beautiful animation style that’ll feature many new characters from Wakanda. (1:25)
An homage from Wonder Man – Marvel
Wonder Man
Meet Simon (1:07) – Here’s our first look at Simon (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) who is not just auditioning for Wonder Man, he’ll become Wonder Man.
Trevor’s back (1:19) – Ben Kingsley is back in the MCU, once again reprising his role as failed actor Trevor Slattery from Iron Man 3 and Shang-Chi. Glad to see he’s still in show business.
Costume homage (:08) – An early shot in the trailers shows Simon in a red suit, which feels like a reference to one of Simon’s alternative uniforms from the comics—his classic “safari jacket” casual look introduced in the late ’70s.
But also –
Who is that on the bottom middle? – Marvel
There are two things in trailer that have us totally stumped. There’s an image of someone in front of what looks like a crime investigation (:10) that we’re unsure of. Is this from Ironheart? Wonder Man? And then there’s the image above from inside the TVA (:05). We can place almost all of the images in this scene except the one in the bottom middle. It looks like Josh Gad in black and white. Any ideas?
