Marvel Comics has revealed a new kind of What If tale is on the way via Chip Zdarsky and Pasqual Ferry. The new four-part series called Spider-Man: Spider’s Shadow will explore the What If territory, but over four issues instead of one. One might liken this to Zdarsky’s first foray into alternate Spider-man storytelling with Spider-Man: Life Story, which was collected in trade paperback in October 2019 (Zdarsky spoke to us about the project back in 2019).
“I feel that with SPIDER’S SHADOW we’re exploring some dark situations with Spidey and the Marvel Universe, while making it cool and fun to read,” Zdarsky said in a press release sent to AIPT. “I think longtime fans will love it and new readers will be amazed at what Marvel lets us do,” Zdarsky teased. “Pasqual and Matt are producing amazing work on this book. When every page comes in, I share them with all of my friends even though Marvel says I’m not allowed to do that.”
“Since I started working at Marvel some long years ago, I always dreamed of drawing Spiderman, I came close a couple of times to get it, but the God of Thunder and Iron Man got in the way at the last moment— which were quite a joy too. So when I was offered the opportunity to draw this miniseries, you can imagine my happiness. In addition, I always wanted to experiment with the black suit from Secret Wars so the icing on the cake was doing that in the form of a “What If” series set at the beginning of that journey,” Ferry said. “Chip’s script is really shocking and surprising, a delight for someone fan of the character like me, and I’m sure it will catch the readers as much as it is drawing it with me. Hold on to the seats, because SPIDER’S SHADOW is going to surprise you in a way that you cannot imagine!”
Zdarsky added on Twitter this has been a project in the works for some time.
This is something we've been working on for a while: a chance to reinvent the WHAT IF brand, telling longer stories with the best artists. We think you'll like it.
— Chip Zdarsky (@zdarsky) January 19, 2021
Check out the cover to the first issue by Phil Noto below.
From the looks of the unlettered preview pages, the story will involve Hobgoblin. Check those out below, drawn by Ferry.
For more on this and more from Zdarsky, read the official Marvel press release below.
New York, NY— January 19, 2021 — This April, writer Chip Zdarsky and artist Pasqual Ferry team up for a Spider-Man story like none other in SPIDER-MAN: SPIDER’S SHADOW. The critically acclaimed writer, currently wowing readers with his Eisner-nominated work on Daredevil, has crafted a thrilling saga that will explore Peter Parker’s dark side. Superstar artist Pasqual Ferry (The Mighty Thor) and colorist Matt Hollingsworth (Hawkeye) join him to bring to life one of the most ruthless Spider-Man stories Marvel Comics has ever told.
Peter Parker once put on an alien suit that nearly destroyed his life – but what if he’d never taken it off? Ignoring every warning, Spidey embraces the dark symbiote! Haunted by terrible nightmares and exhausted by an endless barrage of bad guys, Peter can’t seem to catch a break these days. So when the Hobgoblin attacks, he finds a hero at the end of his rope…and vulnerable to new dark impulses. Spider-Man is about to change his rules – but is it truly Peter who is in charge?
“I’m thrilled to be kicking off a new era of “WHAT IF” stories with this tale of a Spider-Man gone bad! How bad will he be? Will he have a goatee and no hyphen in his name? Pick up issue one to find out! But seriously, I feel that with SPIDER’S SHADOW we’re exploring some dark situations with Spidey and the Marvel Universe, while making it cool and fun to read. I think longtime fans will love it and new readers will be amazed at what Marvel lets us do,” Zdarsky teased. “Pasqual and Matt are producing amazing work on this book. When every page comes in, I share them with all of my friends even though Marvel says I’m not allowed to do that.”
“Since I started working at Marvel some long years ago, I always dreamed of drawing Spiderman, I came close a couple of times to get it, but the God of Thunder and Iron Man got in the way at the last moment— which were quite a joy too. So when I was offered the opportunity to draw this miniseries, you can imagine my happiness. In addition, I always wanted to experiment with the black suit from Secret Wars so the icing on the cake was doing that in the form of a “What If” series set at the beginning of that journey,” Ferry said. “Chip’s script is really shocking and surprising, a delight for someone fan of the character like me, and I’m sure it will catch the readers as much as it is drawing it with me. Hold on to the seats, because SPIDER’S SHADOW is going to surprise you in a way that you cannot imagine!”
Check out the cover by Phil Noto below and don’t miss this terrifying tale when SPIDER-MAN: SPIDER’S SHADOW #1 hits stands in April. For more information including a first look at interior artwork, visit Marvel.com.
SPIDER-MAN: SPIDER’S SHADOW #1 (of 4)
Written by CHIP ZDARSKY
Art by PASQUAL FERRY
Colors by MATT HOLLINGSWORTH
Cover by PHIL NOTO
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