Spider-Man: Spider’s Shadow #2 Review

What if Spider-Man kept the symbiote suit? And what if he breaks his moral code and became a killer? Find out in Spider-Man: Spider’s Shadow #2 (of 5) by Marvel Comics!

SPIDER-MAN: SPIDER’S SHADOW #2 (OF 5)

Writer: Chip Zdarsky
Artist: Pasqual Ferry
Colorist: Matt Hollingsworth
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Editor: Wil Moss
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: May 12th, 2021

Previously in Spider’s Shadow: “What if?” is back but with a full miniseries! Peter Parker has kept the symbiote suit and it has slowly begun to make him more violent and moody. He hasn’t been able to balance his relationship with Mary Jane and he almost kills Hobgoblin. Unfortunately, Hobgoblin has followed Peter Parker home and killed Aunt May. In anger, Peter Parker allows the symbiote to take control and murdered his aunt’s killer.

DESCENT INTO DARKNESS

Peter Parker hopes to keep his actions a secret, but the Daily Bugle published an article revealing his murder of Hobgoblin. An article that causes Spider-Man to threaten J. Jonah Jamison and break his hand. The Kingpin reads the newspaper, and he sends Shocker and Scorpion after Peter Parker, but Spider-Man makes quick work of them and throws their arms at Kingpin’s feet before killing him. This causes the Sinister Six to mobilize against Spider-Man. When Spider-Man was a hero, it wasn’t a big deal but when Spider-Man is a killer no one is safe. As Doctor Octopus prepares for battle, he is killed by Eddie Brock.

POWER AND RESPONSIBILITY

Spider-Man, through the influence of the symbiote, has decided that he should use his power to decide who deserves to live and die. Jail time is a vacation for these villains who uses that time to plot their next evil plan. In a way, you sympathize with Peter. He has the power to prevent bad people from doing bad things. In a way, I want him to stop bad people but then at the same time you question his judgement. He clearly isn’t getting much rest. Can he decide who lives and dies?

The story is well told. While the theme isn’t new, Spider-Man is an interesting enough character that we want to see how he handles it. That and he is beloved to many Marvel fans and to see him hurting is heartbreaking. Good story choices and solid artwork from the creative team.

BOTTOM LINE: I LIKE IT

I think this is a great retelling of Spider-Man could have been and I am glad the team had the creative license to be able to go to dark places. I know there are normally a set of rules of what you can and can’t do with Spider-Man, but it seems like that may be excused for this story. Love the miniseries and can’t wait for next issue. 4.5 out of 5 from me.

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