On paper, Amazing Spider-Man: Spider-Versity #1 sounds ludicrous. Norman Osborn training the likes of Miles Morales, Ghost-Spider, Araña, Silk, Spider-Girl, and Spider-Boy? Sure, Norman has had his sins wiped away and been a friend to Peter Parker for years, but even this crew didn’t trust him a few months ago in Joe Kelly’s Amazing Spider-Man. And yet, if Norman wants to atone for all of his sins, helping these Spider-Man characters be better is the best way to prevent them from harm of the likes of him. It’s also a good start for plenty of confrontation, which Amazing Spider-Man: Spider-Versity #1 is chock full of, thanks to Norman trying to kill every one of them!
Like many Spider-Man fans these days, I went into Amazing Spider-Man: Spider-Versity #1 unsure of what I was in for. Not because the creators are bad by any means, but because gimmicks are rampant at Marvel, and yet what I found was a delightful mix of good character work, art, and an approach to team building that could really open up a corner of the Marvel Universe. As one character says at one point, teams like the Avengers and X-Men are iconic, so why can’t Spider-characters get their own team too? By the end of the issue, you’ll agree.
Before the ned of the issue, however, writers Jordan Morris and Joe Kelly throw Norman directly at this team of young heroes with a fist to the face. Longtime readers will likely pick up on Norman putting them through a harsh training rather than actually trying to kill them, but the effect is the same. He’s not holding back for the betterment of their training. This allows the creative team to use Norman like a supervillain, scary and vicious, yet in the back of your mind, you know it’s for the greater good of these characters’ growth.
Dab it!
Credit: Marvel
Clearly, this creative team put a lot of thought into the fights, with Norman separating this crew adeptly and creating one-on-one scenarios. This allows Norman to pick apart each hero’s weaknesses while letting the heroes throw quips and jokes at him. The latter element makes this a superb Spider-Man-style book, with clever lines delivered from every character.
Aside from the one-on-one battles, there’s also a good twist or two, like Araña getting a handle on Norman’s glider. The creative team keeps you guessing, including a major superhero showing up and wanting to literally kill Norman for his “teaching” practices. Throw in a cliffhanger that introduces a threat like no other, and it’s easy to see how this crew of young heroes has an uphill battle to endure for our enjoyment.
Art by Pere Perez is fabulous, with a dynamic range that works with the comedy and the action. The pop of Gur-eFX’s colors adds the comic book feel that makes this eclectic group of Spidey characters come alive. Frankly, this was event-level detail and dynamic action that Perez has proven time and time again. Give this guy an event book, Marvel!
Amazing Spider-Man: Spider-Versity #1 turns a wild premise into a genuinely fun and promising team-up book. The idea of Norman Osborn training a squad of Spider-heroes sounds absurd, but the execution leans into that tension in smart ways, using it to fuel character dynamics and high-energy action. Jordan Morris and Joe Kelly strike a strong balance between humor, heart, and conflict, while Pere Perez delivers visuals that elevate every punch and quip. It may start as a gimmick, but by the final page, it feels like the foundation for something bigger.
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