Given the three iterations of Spider-Man novelizations mentioned—Web of Past, Web of Dreams, and Web of Absurd—the one that resonates most with a game from Insomniac, specifically "Marvel's Spider-Man," would be Web of Past.
The reason for this connection is that "Marvel's Spider-Man" by Insomniac Games heavily focuses on Peter Parker's history and past relationships, much like the themes explored in the "Spider-Man: Shadow of the Green Goblin" novelization. This game delves into Peter's life, his connection to the Osborn family, and his struggles with the responsibilities of being Spider-Man, which aligns well with the narrative of exploring the origins of evil and Peter's early days as Spider-Man in "Shadow of the Green Goblin."
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Because of the negative backdrop surrounding Amazing Spider-Man, it might seem like Friendly Neighbor comics are at rock bottom right now. That's not exactly the case. Here, you'll find several Spider-Man novelizations that I can definitely recommend. From horror and psychological drama to "buddy-movie" and children's adventures, the end of Spidey and his new beginning—welcome to the fresh web with a twist.
There should be three different iterations: Web of Past, Web of Dreams, and Web of Absurd. Let's take turns. Which iteration resonates with a game from Insomniac to you?
Table of Contents:
- Spine-Tingling Spider-Man
- Spider-Man: Shadow of the Green Goblin
- Spider-Man: Reign 2
Spine-Tingling Spider-Man
Image: ensigame.com
Writer: Saladin Ahmed
Drawing: Juan Ferreira
Most of the comic came out in 2023, but it concluded in 2024. It's too good not to talk about. Spine-Tingling Spider-Man was originally a digital comic, then reprinted in print as one-shot #0, followed by a sequel in a four-issue limited series.
The comic has had a proven idea for years—let a cool artist immerse the hero in a psychedelic marathon of madness. Here, bubbles are emphasized, in contrast to The Spectacular Spider-Men. Ferreira's expressiveness makes him easy to understand even when he doesn't use words. Saladin Ahmed isn't the focus because his script is strong enough here.
Clear and friendly enough to convey Peter's anxiety, the screenwriter simply cannot overshadow Juan Ferreira, who is the primary character in this nightmare. Paul (the other Paul), the primary antagonist in Zero-One-Shot, uses song to rob people of their dreams. Spider-Man must thus resist the urge to doze off, but he still does so from time to time due to unsettling visions. That's sufficient to create Spider-Man Meets Junji Ito, Ferreira's 100-page artbook.
Image: ensigame.com
In the limited edition, the artwork has gotten even more inventive. Now Spidey literally finds himself in a directed nightmare. It's more like “Beau Is Afraid,” as all the night terrors in a row are brought to life. From the fear of not being recognized by acquaintances to being harassed by a creepy conductor because you didn't pay your fare.
Image: ensigame.com
The "simple vs. detailed" approach is frequently the foundation of mangaka's work and Junji Ito masterpieces. Monsters and abominations are carefully drawn so that the eye is drawn to them first. The protagonist is purposefully kept simple so that we can identify with him. Ferreira likewise adheres to this wisdom: hypertrophied monstrous faces and a modest, terrified Peter.
Spider-Man: Shadow of the Green Goblin
Image: ensigame.com
Writer: J.M. DeMatteis
Drawing: Michael Sta. Maria
The first Goblin wasn't Norman Osborn! Discover the startling Proto-Goblin secrets! What does he have to do with the Osborns? And what part will young Peter, who isn't yet completely conscious of his immense authority and responsibility, play in this?
Pretty sweet synopsis, isn't it?
This is another series of flashbacks, in case you were unaware from the description. Marvel was actively marketing nostalgia for the 1980s and 1990s not too long ago, but now they are slowly rolling off the assembly line.
The formula is simple: take a long-ago period in a character's life, bring back the author of the old wound, and let him write a “lost” story from that time. Basically, an unaffected flashback that happened in between old problems. The pattern occasionally varies a little. For instance, the characters in Peter David's comic Genis-Vell: Captain Marvel are vintage, taken directly from his earlier works, even though the story takes place in the present.
Recently, the flow of flashbacks has been greatly reduced: their quality left much to be desired, and not all modern readers were interested in reading tales of deep antiquity, as Venom fought over a garbage truck in the 90s. But as usual, among a pile of junk, you can dig up a treasure—one of them is in front of you.
Shadow of the Green Goblin reminds us that DeMatteis still holds the title of best Spider-Man comic book in history. And we're not just talking about the legendary Kraven's Last Hunt, but his run on Spectacular Spider-Man. It's a dark, dramatic story with a strong emphasis on psychology. As I like to describe the comic, it's the way Dostoyevsky would have written Spider-Man.
The center line of Spectacular Spider-Man was Harry Osborn's deep trauma. Because of his insane father, hapless Harry would become a Goblin himself, but at the last moment, he would defeat his inner demons and die tragically. And now DeMatteis is writing a prequel of sorts to this story to take a closer look at the origins of evil.
Image: ensigame.com
Who is the Proto-Goblin? A character so obscure that it's easy to mistake him for a DeMatteis innovation. In fact, the first Goblin was invented in the '90s. That's when Marvel had the initiative to have issues #-1 about events before the first issue of the ongoings. In Spider-Man #-1, Screenwriter Howard Mackey decided to tell how Norman Osborn tested his Goblin serum. His employee Nels van Adder was unlucky enough to be the guinea pig—the first version of the formula turned the unfortunate man into a red-skinned monster.
Superheroics are far from the foreground. The comic fills the empty spaces between the classic issues for a reason—the characters were able to take off their masks and be ordinary people. Peter doesn't look like the main character; he's equally tangled up in the web of plots leading up to the main disaster. The Green Goblin, of course.
At no point will you be allowed to forget exactly what the series is called. Norman is still a long way from donning purple boots, but the green shadow is already looming over everyone. That's the great thing about the comic: evil didn't come out of nowhere, and the serum certainly wasn't a major factor in his gallery of madness. Step by step, the family fell deeper and deeper into darkness. Inner demons had been eating away at Norman since his youth, until they spilled over into his loved ones.
When no one requested a story about the Proto-Goblin, J.M. DeMatteis took it and turned it into one of the most clinging Spider-Man comics ever. A gorgeously melancholic point that, should you choose to take on Spectacular Spider-Man, will end up being a stunning multi-point. Unfortunately, this series has been unjustly ignored because of the general drop in interest in limited flashbacks; avoid making the same mistake twice.
Spider-Man: Reign 2
Image: ensigame.com
Writer/artist: Kaare Andrews
New York City is ruled by Wilson Fisk. To keep zombies out of the city, an electric dome locks it down. After being killed by his radioactive sperm, Old Peter Parker is transported to a digital dream in which he can continue to live with Mary Jane. However, young feline thief Kitty Cat breaks the illusion of joy. To prevent catastrophe, they go back in time together.
This comic isn't even a sequel, in my opinion. The first part is self-destructive, making it more akin to a remake. Since Kaare Andrews starts from the beginning, you might not be familiar with the first Spider-Man: Reign. A shabby Peter is smashed. He is to blame.
New York City is encased in an impenetrable dome, Mary Jane passed away, and he is alone. However, there is a final opportunity to make amends. Can the second installment be classified as a fanfic based on Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again since the first installment is frequently described as a parody of The Dark Knight Returns? Iron Fist: The Living Weapon, Andrews' other comic book, is what I associate with Reign 2.
Image: ensigame.com
You will notice that Andrews makes numerous references to himself if you have read Living Weapon. Balling his fists into blood, the frail-looking protagonist faces the meathead. A young girl holds a significant position. The mother's death in front of the child was a graphic scene. Mutilated sexual neighboring. And above all, the unrestrained and unrelenting hatred in the battles.
This comic should not be taken seriously because it contains:
- Time travel exists.
- The little Goblins and Jock Miles Morales.
- No one tucks their beards into their masks.
- Kingpin has become a cybernetic pile of lard.
- A spoiler gets into Venom, it's as extremely thrashy and sad as Venom the Horse (say cheese Tom Hardy) ever dreamed of.
Image: ensigame.com
The language of violence is something Kaare Andrews is an expert at. This is the most severe injury Spider-Man has ever experienced. I adore how Hickman's Ultimates Spider-Man rhymes with Reign 2. It resembles a disaster version in which Peter was overwhelmed by his superhero burden and was never able to catch up.
But for the final time, he is able to let go of the past.
