After Spider-Man: Brand New Day swung into the record books—landing among the top three highest-grossing movies ever—it's no surprise that Marvel Studios and Sony are doubling down on the web-slinger. Director Destin Daniel Cretton and Tom Holland have clearly poured their hearts into the fourth outing, and with both returning for the fifth, anticipation is sky-high. The film's deep respect for the source material has fans buzzing about what comic stories might inspire the next chapter.
Tom has already admitted to scouring fan forums for ideas, and with audiences clamoring for characters like Mister Negative and Black Cat, the creative team has plenty of directions to explore. Here are ten comics that Spider-Man 5 should seriously consider drawing from.
Scorpion as Venom: A Fresh Symbiote Twist
During Brand New Day's production, Michael Mando—who plays Scorpion—teased a possible Venomized version of his character on social media. While that didn't materialize on screen, the idea has legs. Marvel Knights Spider-Man #9–10 (2004) introduced this very concept, and with fans desperate for a symbiote in the MCU, it could be Marvel's way of putting a unique spin on the alien suit. Mando's Scorpion was a standout in the last film, so bringing him back in a bigger, more menacing role would be a smart move.
Peter's Found Family: The Future Foundation
Spider-Man has always been close to the Fantastic Four, and with the MCU's soft reboot on the horizon post-Avengers: Secret Wars, there's a golden opportunity to bring them into Peter's orbit. Amazing Spider-Man #657–658 (2011) explores the aftermath of Johnny Storm's death, where Peter mourns alongside the team and is invited to join the Future Foundation. With Aunt May gone and his relationship with MJ still healing, Peter could use a new family—and this storyline would be a heartfelt way to give him one.
The Sinister Six: A Classic Threat Reborn
The very first Amazing Spider-Man Annual (1964) introduced the Sinister Six, a team of villains who teamed up to take down the wall-crawler. Given the four-year time jump in Brand New Day, Peter has clearly faced a rogues' gallery of foes. Imagine them uniting in Spider-Man 5 for revenge. With Scorpion, Vulture, Shocker, Tombstone, Boomerang, and even a possibly-alive Mysterio already in the MCU, the pieces are in place. A master planner—maybe Mister Negative—could orchestrate the chaos.
The Death of Jean DeWolff: A Moral Test
Liza Colón-Zayas's Jean DeWolff made a memorable impression in Brand New Day, and her comic arc in Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #107–110 (1985) is one of the most gut-wrenching stories ever told. When she's murdered by the Sin Eater, Peter is pushed to the brink, nearly crossing the line to kill. If the symbiote is in play, this could be the perfect catalyst for Peter's darkest hour—a test of his ethics that would redefine him.
The Hobgoblin Saga: A New Goblin Rises
With Willem Dafoe's Green Goblin already a haunting memory, introducing the Hobgoblin could be a fresh take on the goblin legacy. Amazing Spider-Man #238–251 and Spectacular Spider-Man #43–48 laid the groundwork for this mysterious villain, whose identity was a long-running mystery. It's a perfect way to bring back the goblin menace without retreading old ground.
More Comics to Consider
Beyond these, there are other standout arcs worth mining. Kraven's Last Hunt could offer a gritty, psychological showdown. Spider-Man: Life Story provides a mature, decades-spanning take on Peter's journey. And Ultimate Spider-Man #13–14 features a classic Kingpin confrontation that could tie into the MCU's street-level crime scene.
With Tom Holland's Spider-Man now a global phenomenon, the possibilities are endless. Whether it's a symbiote-fueled nightmare or a team-up with the Fantastic Four, Spider-Man 5 has the chance to be the most ambitious Spidey film yet. And with the animated series expanding the web, there's no shortage of stories to tell.
As the MCU continues to evolve, fans can also look forward to other comic-inspired projects that might tie into Peter's world. For now, all eyes are on what Cretton and Holland have in store—and if the comics are any guide, it's going to be spectacular.
