MIDNIGHT SPIDER-MAN #1 (MARVEL COMICS)
A dark, new era begins.
Fans know the story of a boy given powers with the burden of great responsibility. It is a timeless tale that inspires all to be heroic in the face of danger.
Now, the clock has struck midnight and the origin of a hero begins shrouded in darkness and despair.
MIDNIGHT SPIDER-MAN #1 by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, ScieTronc, Neeraj Menon & Joe Caramagna (Marvel Comics) begins a terrifying journey for Peter Parker.
Let’s take a closer look at this debut!
MIDNIGHT SPIDER-MAN #1 by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, ScieTronc, Neeraj Menon & Joe Caramagna (Marvel Comics)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
WRITING:
Kennedy Johnson takes the typical Spidey mythos and takes some big chances. For the majority of this debut, it hits to create a fresh take. In others, some eyebrows get raised. The opening gives a young Peter his first tragedy. Seeing his mistake costing BAMF their life makes an impact that never escapes him as he gets older. “Power makes Monsters every time” is a line that won’t escape readers’ thoughts as the story moves forward. Parker’s setting is that of an online blogger challenging corporate ethics. His standard struggles to make class creep into view. At this stage, the story spins a much darker web
Readers watch as the social climate is peaking to explode. Parker’s drive with Uncle Ben reflects on struggles before ushering in a horrific vision. Oscorp’s experiments hit the grotesque checklist while building up true terror. Where things go awry is Felicia Hardy’s “persuasion” of Peter to join Oscorp. It carries an awkward sense as she brings him to Oscorp, the place his Uncle has been screaming since the beginning to avoid. The sudden flip felt out of place while getting Peter to gain powers didn’t mesh. It does head towards a chilling finish. The writing comes full circle as Peter’s guilt steers into new directions but not without terrible loss. It caps off events on a shocking point with many questions surrounding it. Other than the horror aspects bookending the issue, there’s some areas that hopefully time will let forge into something stronger.
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1000!
ART & LETTERING:
ScieTronc & Menon amp up the morbid looks right form the beginning. The BAMF discovery half panel is horrifying and sets an early pace for what’s coming. This panel becomes a staple of the issue as the story progresses. Once events time jump, images reflect a brighter point in Parker’s life. Readers watch as New York is as chaotic as ever. It gives way for Ben’s frustration at Peter to come through while driving. This gets muted fast by the Hammer agents attacking citizens.
Oscorp’s experiments convey the horrors behind twisted science. Watching the victim get torn to shreds internally is a loud statement. Felicia Hardy’s full page entrance causes a needed change of pace, The “chest Panel” is a weird choice to show Felicia handing Peter a file. With the considerable age gap between them here, it felt cringy watching her “influencing” him to go to Oscorp. Once this passes, the images present a standard look for Peter. Readers get a full dose of horror for the finish. A terrifying two page spread shows one character’s demise in grand fashion. This leads to a startling evolution which leaves events with a striking full page finish. The art nailed the horror assignment to a Tee, but other areas just don’t mesh.
FINAL GRADE: 7
A nightmare vision of Spider-Man’s world storms into shops attempting a bold statement. While showing signs of promise, it falters in execution as a whole. Kennedy Johnson’s writing orchestrates a balance of real and fictional horror. ScieTronc & Menon present the disturbing looks while trying big swings in other areas. Welcome to your new nightmare Peter Parker!
Let me know your thoughts on MIDNIGHT SPIDER-MAN #1 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
