If you’re a trade-waiting comics reader, you can finally get the full story on Dark Web with Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 4, Marvel’s winter event involving demons, an evil Ben Reilly, and so much more. The story features two clones teaming up to give the X-Men and Spider-Man a what for. It also has inanimate objects coming to life and attacking New Yorkers, and Venom getting turned back into a maniac who loves eating brains. Uneven to be sure, but gorgeously rendered. I look back at the trade paperback collecting Amazing Spider-Man #15-18.
This collection opens with Free Comic Book Day 2022: Spider-Man/Venom, which is funny timing since we got the 2023 FCBD comic just last week. It’s a quick tale drawn by John Romita Jr. and has Spider-Man fighting a mailbox that a demon has possessed. Comedic and well-drawn, it’s a teaser leading into the main event.
From there, Dark Web #1 is reprinted here even though it’s also reprinted in the Dark Web trade paperback. As far as the first issues are concerned, this book is commendable for getting things in the action department going. Demons are running amok rather fast. Heroes like Cyclops and Spider-Man are also properly introduced. I can’t say what is going on with Venom makes much sense, but Adam Kubert makes you forget all that with his fantastic art.
If I took anything away from the Amazing Spider-Man issues, it’s that Ed McGuinness is at the top of his game. Paired with Marcio Menyz, the art pops, and it’s slick as hell. Although in a brainless attack mode, Venom looks incredibly cool, no matter what he’s doing or saying. He’s certainly a highlight, thanks to Ben Reilly being more of a weak instigator, but things get pretty crazy fast so we forget all that when the story moves to a layer of Hell.
Choose your fighter!
Credit: Marvel
Ben Reilly, aka Chasm, steals the show in Amazing Spider-Man #16, mainly because we see the wonderful new toys and powers Goblin Queen has given him. To start things off, Wells reminds us of how Ben lost his memories, but in the flashback, Ben sees it all differently. It’s another reminder Ben isn’t necessarily evil, he just doesn’t have the context or memory to know any better. Throughout the issue, we see Chasm has abilities like an amped-up spider-sense, magic powers, and a dark place for Spider-Man to exist for possibly the rest of the event.
The selling point of this issue will certainly be the glorious fighting between Spider-Man and Chasm, rendered incredibly by McGuinness, inker Cliff Rathburn, and colorist Marcio Menyz. McGuinness’s style suits Spider-Man as it’s in your face, features bulbous muscles, and shows off incredible agility from these two characters. This issue has some neat effects to give the action extra zip like speed lines practically bleeding out of Spider-Man as he ducks a magic axe Chasm swings at him or the way McGuinness draws spider senses. I still can’t get behind the Spidey mask being a helmet, but McGuinness typically only depicts that when we see him from the side.
Another highlight of this series is the excellent sense of humor, and that’s present here as well. That includes a talking scooter that takes issue with Chasm and Spider-Man knocking him over. It’s absurd, dumbs down the rather scary notion of demons taking over inanimate objects, and leans into entertainment only comics can get away with. The cliffhanger ending, which puts Peter into a hilarious work situation, further cements the humorous angle of the event. There’s also the fan-favorite Reck-Rap, who pops into the narrative and is funny, cool looking, and clearly getting an action figure someday.
The Dark Web finale is reprinted in this collection, which you can also find in the Dark Web trade paperback. It includes an epilogue revealing the Goblin Queen’s new New York location and what has become of Ben Reilly. I can’t say it’s all that enjoyable — a lot of the story here isn’t built up to enough, but it’s nice to have it reprinted here. It’s also telling Marvel had to reprint this chapter and the first issue of Dark Web in this collection for this to feel like a satisfying story.
After reading this collection, knowing most of the Dark Web event is printed in its own self-titled series, it’s confusing as to why this wasn’t combined into a larger collection. The Amazing Spider-Man portion of Dark Web is a fun, yet unnecessary side quest for Peter to navigate Hell. It’s all the more evident it wasn’t essential to the larger story since the opening and ending chapters of Dark Web are present in this collection. That said, McGuinness’ art and the silly comedic angle on things make this a fun read.
Join the AIPT Patreon
Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:
- ❌ Remove all ads on the website
- 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
- 📗 Access to our monthly book club
- 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
- 💥 And more!
You must be logged in to post a comment.