Unveiling the Darkest Spider-Man Storyline: Prepare to be Gripped!

Highlights

Spider-Man's enduring nature comes from his quirky, comedic nature, but there have been some dark moments in his comic book history.

In the Superior Spider-Man storyline, Otto Octavius assumes control of Peter Parker's physical form, resulting in peculiar consequences and a fascinating premise.

The demise of Gwen Stacy was a sorrowful incident that forever altered Spider-Man's existence and infused the character with a heightened sense of gravitas.

Spider-Man is not a hero with a predominantly dark persona. Unlike other Marvel Comics superheroes who are associated with darker themes or settings, Spider-Man, also known as the "Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man," has maintained a quirky and comedic nature, making him a more enduring character.

Nevertheless, over the span of sixty years in comic books, Spider-Man has been portrayed in different ways, which has naturally led to some stories delving into darker aspects. Despite being generally seen as a heroic and happy figure, the experiences that Spider-Man has undergone in his Marvel Comics journey have been far from joyous, resulting in significant suffering for the character Peter Parker.

7 Superior Spider-Man

The Superior Spider-Man arc is known for its strangeness and darkness. In this story, Otto Octavius, who is dying, manages to defeat Spider-Man and switch their minds. This horrifying act not only involved the theft of Peter Parker's body by one of his greatest enemies, but it also seemed to kill Peter in the process.

Peter's consciousness is trapped in Octavius' decaying body, which eventually dies, seemingly erasing Peter and leaving only Otto in control of Spider-Man's body and powers. Otto then assumes the role of Spider-Man, but without the moral compass that Peter had. This unsettling concept leads to some truly bizarre consequences and introduces the intriguing idea of the Superior Spider-Man.

6 Kraven’s Last Hunt

Kraven the Hunter, a well-known antagonist in the Spider-Man series, gained such popularity that he was even featured in his own film and served as the antagonist in Marvel's Spider-Man 2. Throughout his appearances in Marvel Comics, Kraven has had numerous captivating storylines. However, his most famous and darkest arc, known as Kraven's Last Hunt, stands out.

In this story, Kraven relentlessly pursues Spider-Man, ultimately shooting and burying him. Kraven then assumes Spider-Man's identity and proceeds to mercilessly attack criminals throughout the city. Despite his dire situation, Spider-Man manages to free himself from the grave and confront Kraven. In the end, Kraven achieves his goal of proving his superiority over Spider-Man before tragically ending his own life. This gripping plot and its haunting conclusion left a profound impact on readers, solidifying Kraven's significance in the Marvel universe.

5 Leah

One of the most poignant and impactful moments in the history of comic books is the captivating tale of Leah. In a mere six pages of the Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man Annual, the story unfolds about a young girl named Leah who is homeless, residing in a cardboard box, and harboring a deep affection for Spider-Man.

Leah decorates her humble abode with countless images of Spider-Man, daydreaming about embarking on thrilling adventures alongside the iconic superhero. Sadly, the story concludes with a heart-wrenching twist as Leah never awakens. This profoundly sorrowful moment allows fans to witness how she spent her final moments captivated by the very concept of Spider-Man.

4 The Clone Saga

When Gwen Stacy perished, the devastating news plunged one of their high school educators into madness, as this teacher harbored a secret love for her. Consequently, he embarked on a path of creating replicas of both Peter and Gwen, thus giving rise to the enigmatic figure known as Ben Reilly. After the clone's unveiling, he vanished, seemingly meeting his demise for several years, but ultimately resurfaced.

Upon his reappearance, comprehensive DNA tests conducted on the duo substantiated that Ben Reilly was, in fact, the original Peter Parker, while the individual who had assumed the persona of Spider-Man was an imposter. Subsequently, it was revealed that all of these perplexing events were orchestrated by the conniving Green Goblin. Nonetheless, the uncertainties inherent in the cloning process and the ensuing narrative encompassed some of the most somber chronicles in Peter Parker's life.

3 Marvel Zombies

The Marvel Zombies series presented a tragic Elseworlds tale for the superheroes of the Marvel Universe, especially Spider-Man. His gradual deterioration upon being infected with the virus and transforming into a zombie was accompanied by the heart-wrenching experience of witnessing and participating in heinous acts.

In a state of lost control, the zombified Peter Parker tragically ended the lives of Aunt May and Mary Jane, all the while clinging to a fragment of awareness. This macabre event stands as one of the most devastating occurrences in the history of Marvel Comics.

2 One More Day

The One More Day storyline quickly became the forefront of every Spider-Man fan's thoughts when discussing the web-slinger's darkest stories. It revolved around Peter Parker entering into a literal pact with the devil, sacrificing his marriage and relationship with Mary Jane to bring his Aunt May back to life.

This subsequent narrative and timeframe marked one of the bleakest moments in Spider-Man's history, offering numerous grounds for despair. Peter Parker and MJ had been together almost constantly, making this separation one of the most heart-wrenching losses he had ever endured.

1 The Death Of Gwen Stacy

However, the most devastating event in Peter Parker's life surpasses all others. The tragic demise of Gwen Stacy was orchestrated solely by the writers of the Spider-Man comic to intensify the sorrow in his young life, following the earlier loss of Uncle Ben.

This profound loss proved transformative for Peter Parker, forever altering the course of his existence. Moreover, it marked a significant shift in the character of Spider-Man, injecting an unprecedented level of seriousness not commonly found in comic books during that era.