Marvel Snapshot: Character Spotlight: Zombie (Simon Garth)

Hello everyone, and welcome back to another chilling spotlight right here in Marvel Snapshot! In this week’s spine-tingling edition, we’ll be focusing on the one and only Zombie, Simon Garth! If you don’t know this character, then get ready to learn about a great character that’s been around since the 1950s!

Simon Garth was an executive at Garth Manor Coffee in New Orleans. He was kidnapped by his former gardener after he had been fired by Garth. The man was part of a cult, and Garth was to be sacrificed in the name of voodoo. The priestess who was to kill him, recognized him as her boss, and also, the man she was secretly in love with. She wouldn’t kill him, but then was forced to turn him into the living dead instead. Garth has since been walking the Earth, doomed to a life of emptiness. The creature can be controlled using a powerful artifact called The Amulets of Damballah. One of the amulets is around Simon’s neck, while the possessor of the other amulet has complete control over him. When he isn’t being controlled, he does exhibit some emotion, and has even spoken a few times.
This character was originally created by Stan Lee and Bill Everett back in 1953 (Menace #5). The character was resurrected by Roy Thomas in 1973 (Tales of the Zombie #1), as a part of Marvel’s 70s horror revival. The Zombie has been a part of many other books as well – Spider-Man, Daredevil, Blade, etc. Of course, like all other horror titles, after the big boom in the 1970’s, Zombie books died out. Lately though, with titles like The Walking Dead getting huge exposure, hopefully characters like this will make a comeback! Just an FYI – The Walking Dead TV show debuts on AMC, Sunday October 31st!
Well, that’s it for now, but take a look at these great pics, along with my recommended reading list. See you next week!
Recommended Reading
Tales of the Zombie #1- 9, Annual #1 (1973)
Menace #5 (1953) (first appearance)
Essential Tales of the Zombie – Tpb (2006)
Spider-Man Annual 1997
Spider-Man Unlimited #20
Daredevil Annual #9

Billy Dunleavy
billy@comicattack.net