Marvel has never shied away from dipping its toes into horror, whether it's the supernatural exploits of Blade and Ghost Rider or the symbiote-fueled chaos of Carnage. From the gory pages of Blade: Red Band to the iconic Absolute Carnage event, the publisher has proven it knows how to deliver chills. Even the MCU got in on the act with the beloved Werewolf by Night special, a love letter to classic Hammer Horror complete with a gnarly transformation sequence. But now, the clock has struck midnight, and Marvel is plunging its heroes into the darkest depths yet.
Today marks the launch of the Midnight Universe, a new horror imprint that brings together an all-star roster of writers and artists to reimagine Marvel's greatest icons in their most disturbing forms yet. The first wave includes Midnight X-Men, Midnight Fantastic Four, and Midnight Spider-Man, each putting a unique and terrifying spin on its heroes—from vampiric mutations to cosmic mind-shattering horrors. For the wall-crawler, writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson and artist ScieTronc (making his Marvel debut) have crafted a Peter Parker whose origin is far more stomach-churning than a simple radioactive spider bite.
Spoilers ahead for Midnight Spider-Man #1
A Fateful Night at Oscorp
In Midnight Spider-Man #1, Peter is a young research assistant to Dr. Curt Connors, living a seemingly ordinary life. His world is turned upside down when Felicia Hardy approaches him with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: a job at Oscorp. It's a tempting offer, especially for a guy who spends his free time live-streaming anti-Oscorp, anti-Roxxon, and anti-H.A.M.M.E.R. messages. Despite his Uncle Ben's warnings, Peter is lured in by the promise of being part of something powerful.
After a tour of Osborn Square—which includes a meeting with Dr. Hank Pym and some persuasive pressure from Felicia—Peter signs the contract. But he unknowingly brings something terrible home with him. The horror begins when he's in bed, and Uncle Ben is attacked by an unseen force. Peter wakes from a nightmare to find himself hanging upside down from the ceiling in a web, as a massive spider burrows into his chest.
Body Horror in the Spirit of Cronenberg
The scene plays out like something straight from the mind of David Cronenberg, the master of body horror himself. Gory shots of Uncle Ben's flesh being eaten through, the spider digging into Peter, and red veins shooting across his body—it's visceral and unsettling. The most Cronenberg-esque moment comes in Peter's nightmare, where he returns to his childhood and witnesses a horrifying amalgamation of his parents and his dead cat, Bamf, assuring him he's fine as he transforms into a monster.
This origin story hits familiar beats—the loss of Uncle Ben, the spider bite, the emergence of powers—but it sets Peter on a much darker path. Instead of using his abilities for heroism, he's driven by a desire for revenge against the company that created him. It's a fresh, terrifying take on a classic tale that promises to redefine the character for a new era.
The Midnight Universe is already making waves, and this first issue is a bold statement of intent. For fans of Spider-Man's many iterations, this is a radically different take that leans into the horror genre with unflinching intensity. Whether you're a longtime comic reader or a newcomer drawn by the promise of something darker, Midnight Spider-Man is a must-read.
As the Midnight Universe expands, it's clear Marvel is committed to exploring the darker corners of its mythology. With Midnight X-Men and Midnight Fantastic Four also launching, there's plenty of terror to go around. But it's Midnight Spider-Man that stands out as the most visceral and unsettling of the bunch, a true nightmare come to life.
