Inferno Reignites For Spidey & The X-Men In This Fall’s ‘Dark Web’
by Tony Thornley
Back in May, we got a hint at the hell that’s in store for Peter Parker. Now, the full scope of the story has been revealed, and Dark Web promises to bring Inferno back for Spider-Man and the X-Men.
Really, Spider-Man and the X-Men have had a lot of parallels over the years. One big one is a pair of clones who have upended both heroes’ lives- Ben Reilly and Madelyn Pryor. In Dark Web these two join forces, leading to a war that will bring hell to New York City- and if you read FCBD: Spider-Man/Venom you know that may be literal!
Announced at San Diego Comic-Con, Dark Web will kick off in November with a prelude issue in Amazing Spider-Man #14, as we catch up with Ben Reilly, now calling himself Chasm, and see what’s happened since his last appearance at the end of Spider-Man Beyond. Then, the event really kicks off in earnest with Dark Web Alpha from X-Men and Spider-Man legends Zeb Wells and Adam Kubert.
Check out Marvel’s press release below, as well as the covers for the November’s tie-in issues from John Romita Jr., Ed McGuinness, and Taurin Clarke!
Dark Web will find Spider-Man and the X-Men joining forces against two iconic characters that have experienced a resurgence in popularity in recent years—Ben Reilly and Madelyne Pryor. As seen in this year’s FCBD: Spider-Man/Venom, the two wronged clones are teaming up as Chasm and Goblin Queen to raise hell across the Marvel Universe. The story will fan the embers of the iconic INFERNO crossover and pack an emotional punch that pays off decades of Marvel Comics storytelling.
Featuring artwork by Michael Dowling and Kyle Hotz, November’s Amazing Spider-Man #14 will be a special Dark Web prelude issue that reintroduces CHASM, Ben Reilly’s dangerous new persona. Not seen since Amazing Spider-Man #894 and FCBD: Spider-Man/Venom, fans will see exactly what Chasm and the Goblin Queen have been busy with. The issue will also introduce a brand-new villain shrouded in mystery—HALLOWS’ EVE. Set to plan a pivotal role in the event, fans can get their first glimpse at Hallows’ Eve and her killer design in a new variant cover by Ed McGuinness. The superstar artist recently graced the pages of Amazing Spider-Man for this week’s 900th issue and will return to the title for the upcoming Dark Web tie-in issues.
Writer Christopher Cantwell and artist Lan Medina will launch a new tie-in limited series during Dark Web titled Gold Goblin that sets up a new status quo for Norman Osborn. Norman Osborn’s sins may have been cleansed, but his memories weren’t and he’s done plenty of horrific things to remember. Norman’s worked hard to avoid all things “Goblin” and to stay on the straight and narrow. Consequences in Amazing Spider-Man pushed him to try super-heroing, and he liked it. But when the media dub him the Gold Goblin, he has to start wondering – can he ever get away from the Goblin inside?
