The iteration that resonates with a game from Insomniac, specifically "Spider-Man" and "Spider-Man: Miles Morales," would be Web of Dreams. This choice is primarily due to the thematic and stylistic similarities between the games and the "Spine-Tingling Spider-Man" comic described in your text.
Spine-Tingling Spider-Man dives deep into psychological horror and surreal, dream-like sequences, which align well with the atmospheric and narrative elements found in Insomniac's Spider-Man games. The games, while not purely horror, often explore darker themes and psychological challenges for Peter Parker and Miles Morales, such as dealing with loss, guilt, and the pressures of being a superhero. The vivid, expressive artwork and the emphasis on Peter's anxiety in "Spine-Tingling Spider-Man" mirror the emotional depth and visual storytelling seen in the games.
In "Spider-Man" and "Spider-Man: Miles Morales," players experience a blend of action, adventure, and emotional storytelling, much like the journey through unsettling visions and nightmares described in the comic. The focus on a hero's mental state and the immersive, sometimes nightmarish, environments in the games resonate strongly with the themes of "Spine-Tingling Spider-Man," making Web of Dreams the most fitting iteration to connect with Insomniac's games.
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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
Writer: Saladin Ahmed
Drawing: Juan Ferreira
Most of the comic was released in 2023, but it concluded in 2024. It's too good not to talk about. Originally a digital comic, Spine-Tingling Spider-Man was reprinted as a print one-shot #0, followed by a four-issue limited series.
The comic has a proven idea—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 the story easy to understand even without words. Saladin Ahmed's script is strong, but it's Juan Ferreira who steals the show as 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 resist the urge to doze off, but unsettling visions make it difficult. This creates a Spider-Man meets Junji Ito experience, enhanced by Ferreira's 100-page artbook.
In the limited edition, the artwork becomes even more inventive. Spidey literally finds himself in a directed nightmare, reminiscent of Beau Is Afraid. From the fear of not being recognized by acquaintances to being harassed by a creepy conductor for not paying the fare, the night terrors are brought to life.
The "simple vs. detailed" approach is a foundation of mangaka's work and Junji Ito's masterpieces. Monsters and abominations are carefully drawn to draw the eye first, while the protagonist remains simple for identification. Ferreira adheres to this wisdom, with hypertrophied monstrous faces and a modest, terrified Peter.
Spider-Man: Shadow of the Green Goblin
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 Osbornes? And what part will young Peter, who isn't yet completely conscious of his immense authority and responsibility, play in this?
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. It's an unaffected flashback that happened 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, like Venom fighting 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 the best Spider-Man comic book in history. 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
