This is a prequel to the events of Marvel Zombies and Ult. Fantastic Four, I think.

Sam Rami is the director of The Evil Dead/Army of Darkness movies. He's also directing the Spider-Man movies. So he always make Cameo apperences in Rami's work. That only leaves the useign the Ash character up i nthe air and people love Zombies. . and People love Ash, so it's a good fit.

I thought the one-Shot with Spidey was the pre-quel? Looking at this cover, I think I'm reminded of the alternate ending from Army of Darkness when he mis-counts how many drops from the sleeping potion he took, and wakes up 1000 years in the future.

What if he wakes up in a world where Zombies have taken over?