r/MarvelMidnight • u/Jinjoz Mutant • 12d ago
Midnight Spider-Man Birth Date - Midnight Spider-Man #1 Summary & Review (Spoilers!)
Summary
When Peter Parker was but six years old, his parents gifted him a cat named BAMF. His parents made it clear that he was responsible for the life of BAMF. He would feed him, clean his litter box, and latch the pet door every night. The one thing he forgot to do before their ten-day vacation was put BAMF inside the house.
Peter then runs to the backyard, searching in vain for this tiny bit of life that he was responsible for. As he trips into the mud, Peter learns that he’s not the one who will pay for his mistake; it’s the cat who trusted him. As Peter brushes the dirt and worms from his hands, he looks upon the corpse of his decaying friend and sees a large spider push its way through BAMF’s rotting flesh. As Peter cries into the arms of his father and asks him why this has happened, his father’s response is seared into young Peter’s mind:
“The dog was just bigger, Peter. Power makes monsters, every time.”
Twelve years later, we witness a young man named Mr. Zinkievoch accept a job at Oscorp Industries who bears an exceptional likeness to the Peter Parker we all know. While he is ecstatic about this opportunity, a popular blogger by the name of Sagan Ritual is on a mission to expose the secrets of these large tech companies.
In his latest post, he speaks of controversial practices such as age-reversing, prisoners exchanging limbs for shorter prison sentences, and a formula to remove the need for food in humans. The side effects can be fatal, the ethics are out the window, and the author, Peter Parker, has learned that all three companies controlling these practices have been bought by a single company.
I wonder who.
As Peter finishes the last few touches on his blog post, his Uncle Ben wishes him a happy 18th birthday as they head out for the day. As Peter is figuring out their budget for the next few weeks, Uncle Ben hands out a couple of bills to someone down on their luck. They talk about the wrongful deaths of Peter’s parents via Oscorp and the continuing lawsuit that Ben is still pushing.
Peter doesn’t have much hope, believing that the system is meant to keep everyone where they’re supposed to be, and Oscorp settling with two broke guys in Queens would break that status quo.
Peter plans to start his own tech company, become one of the big guys, and prove that the strong and powerful can be the good guys, too.
Mr. Zinkievoch pounds on the glass chamber he's been trapped in, confused and pleading for them to release him. The radio chatter in the room is filled with taunts, laughter, and people placing bets as Zinkievoch’s organs, blood, and bones burst through his neck, dousing the chamber as he slides down the wall to his death.
While the observers question whether these tests are failing because their subjects are poor people, and whether clones of themselves would yield better results, the lead scientist reminds them that the Augustine Project is in its infancy and that they have no shortage of subjects to test on.
In the After Action Reports, they talk of muscle growth, bone density, and an increase in strength in the last moments of the subjects' lives. Post-Study Actions include adjustments of growth hormones, gamma radiation exposure, video footage of the subjects' deaths for project donors, the subjects' genitals and eyes being given to another donor, and the subjects' ten-year-old sister being collected and presented to Donor #3 for personal off-site studies.
As Peter heads in to grade papers for Dr. Connor, Felicia Hardy, VP of Talent Relations for Oscorp, is waiting for him. She’s been keeping an eye on Peter and his online activities as Sagan Ritual and is offering him a future with Oscorp.
Absolutely stunned by this offer, he reminds her that if he actually were Sagan Ritual, he has posted multiple takedown videos attempting to expose Oscorp's shady dealings.
Felicia doesn't seem to care, asking if Peter is a victim—a person who allows life to happen to them—rather than being the one who affects life.
Peter calls Ben on his way to Oscorp, stating that this is going to be their big break, but Ben begins to panic.
Don't sign anything. Don't step foot into that building. Aren’t you the one constantly posting videos about how terrible these corporations are?
While Peter tries to justify the opportunity, stating that he can change things from the inside, Ben reminds him that power makes monsters.
And who is more powerful than Oscorp?
While Peter is conflicted in this moment, that seems to melt away as he steps onto the lab floor of Oscorp. Not only is he mesmerized by the technology and resources that would be available to him, but everybody seems to know who he is.
Even Hank Pym, one of Peter’s idols, shows up and praises him for the articles he has written.
Felicia then hands over the contract to Peter, who hesitates. While Peter wants to speak to Ben and Connors before he signs, Felicia strong-arms him, stating that if he doesn't sign it by midnight tonight, she can't promise it will be available tomorrow.
Later that night, as Ben is leaving a voicemail to someone unknown, Peter sneaks upstairs to confess that he signed the papers to a picture of his mother and father. As he vows that he will balance power and responsibility, a spider melts its way through his backpack and scuttles its way toward Ben.
Ben is bitten. His hands and legs begin to melt, and as he cries out for help to Peter, who can't hear him, he utters his final words:
“Richie… help me…”
Peter dreams of his parents rotting away, maggots crawling across their faces, a spider slipping out of their eyes.
“You signed because you wanted all the pretty things the lady promised. Never forget, though: power makes monsters.”
As a spider bursts from Peter’s chest, he realizes that none of this is a dream. As he screams for help, he is spun into its web, and a monster is born.
Review
There is something really special about reading the first issue of a whole new universe that you don’t need to know anything prior to. While it’s great to see familiar names and have a little bit of context behind them, I think Philip Kennedy Johnson is wildly succeeding in introducing us to this disgusting world of Midnight Spider-Man.
While I’m no expert of horror comics, movies, or television shows, the writing techniques he is using are twisting my insides and bringing out emotions in me that I haven’t experienced in the comic medium before.
Scietronc’s depiction of these horrific experiences that these test subjects are experiencing twisted my insides and left an imprint on my mind that is hard to shake off. The data pages tug at the untold horror of donors receiving pieces of these people, videos of their deaths, and possession of their loved ones.
I rarely have ever had to put a book down to take a breather, but this writer and artist team made me do so.
Body horror, conspiracy, unaware witnesses, and flashes of traumatic events are just a few of the tools they are using to put us on the edge of our seats.
I would imagine that establishing a different universe out of one that is well known to be a cleaner experience, I think the setup of what is to come is where the challenge lies. Any Marvel fan knows who these characters are. We know who Peter Parker is and how he got his powers. We know that Felicia Hardy is Black Cat, that Dr. Octavius is Doc Ock, but what can be done to refresh these characters and see them in a new light?
I think this issue has established a lot of questions that we need answers to.
What happened to Peter’s parents?
Who was Ben talking to at the end of the issue?
What is Oscorp trying to accomplish with these test subjects?
Not only are they laying the groundwork for this universe that we as readers have just landed in, they're paving the way for stories that I think we're going to love.
Look, is the Midnight Universe a response to DC's Absolute Universe? Absolutely. Does that matter? No.
The quality of the story, artwork, and overall themes of a story are what truly matter, and this first issue gives me the confidence to say that I think Midnight Spider-Man is in good hands. I’m truly excited to read the next issue.
Lots of times we read comics or play video games because we have access to them, even if we're not truly excited about them. Every now and then, though, you come across something that reminds you, “Oh, this is what it feels like to truly be excited and thrilled to consume something.” Midnight Spider-Man has done that.
Moments
I don’t think it is a coincidence that Zinkievoch has a strong resemblance to Peter Parker, though maybe from a different medium. Brown hair, cleaned up, a suit that doesn’t seem to fit him perfectly, and the image of a spider landing on him connects him to the origin story that we all know.
I think this is a great way to not only establish the darker conspiracies that Oscorp is involved in, but it also puts us on edge for Peter’s safety throughout this issue.
Peter voices his thoughts on the established system when it comes to the distribution of wealth and the system that is meant to keep everyone in their place.
This shot of the city as they’re driving by establishes this through the different types of people we get to witness simply living their everyday lives. The rich have advanced technology, expensive clothes, and mobile computers pinned to their suits. The less fortunate are being shoved out of their way or harassed by private security.
Even the policeman walking by is dressed in more traditional attire, while those employed by HAMMER are much more imposing and aggressive.
There are systems established in this city to keep things going the way the powerful want them to go, and breaking out of them feels impossible.
I think that Ben is quickly established as a good person. He’s handing out the little cash he has to someone experiencing homelessness while Peter is sitting next to him going over the little budget that they have, and Ben’s true motivation is to help Peter achieve the life that he knows he is capable of.
I think Peter is in conflict throughout this issue because of his passion to expose these large tech companies and their inhumane practices. But when he has the opportunity to work for them for an exorbitant amount of money, he sees that all of their financial troubles can be solved.
I think these words are this universe’s version of “With great power comes great responsibility.”
The tragedy of Ben’s death and the transformation of Peter are direct results of Peter trying to take the easy way out and delude himself into thinking he can make changes from the inside.
This and the following data page are the most uncomfortable parts of this issue, and if I have to look at it, now you get to!
Look, the image is horrifying and turns my guts, but it is the selfish, degrading, and horrifying commentary from the observers that really makes me uncomfortable.
All right, the moment I know you all have been waiting for. The Boob POV.
This is gonna go down in history as one of the most prominent panels that was drawn with one hand, and it’s a bit of a strange angle when you really think about it.
I’ll be honest, though. I just find it quite humorous and really puts Felicia in a position where she is using her sexuality to influence those around her.
Luckily, this comic establishes prominently that Peter is 18 years old, but it still is a bit uncomfortable since Peter is drawn quite young-looking.
I’m just impressed they’re keeping up the continuity of the mole on one of her breasts, and I’ll be doing my due diligence to make sure they keep it up… ya know… for continuity’s sake.
So we know from the data pages that Zinkievoch was acquired via Felicia’s work. His death has occurred on this same day or close to it since that wing of the lab is quarantined off.
Felicia was planning on showing Peter that part of the lab, so I’m wondering if the plan all along was to lure Peter into the same situation that Zinkievoch was placed in.
The spider crawling out of Peter’s backpack near the end could potentially have been planted there.
Conclusion
As I’m sure you can tell, I am really excited for this series and plan to keep up with it as it is released. Keep an eye on the website a day or two after each issue is available, keep an eye on our socials, and I hope you’ll join me on my journey into the Midnight Universe at Marvel.
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u/Mikestergame001 12d ago
I believe in Felicia supremacy!
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u/SonofaSpurrier 11d ago
I hope she doesn’t last long, and the next cover isn’t looking good!
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u/Jinjoz Mutant 11d ago
Not a fan of Felicia? I think she's a pretty character just based on this first issue
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u/SinisterMinisterX7 11d ago
I’m wondering if the spider has anything to do with Oscorp in this, or at least if they planned on it gojng after Peter.
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u/SonofaSpurrier 11d ago
Yeah it’s setup by the one that drops in on Zinkewhatever but I’m assuming this one was an accident. For all we know he was actually being recruited for his brain not as cannon fodder.
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u/SonofaSpurrier 11d ago
What do we think was in the contract? And how could he sign it legally before turning 18?
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u/Jinjoz Mutant 11d ago
That's a good question. I know earlier in the issue Peter was talking about some companies requiring you sign over your genetic code. I wouldn't be shocked if that was included.
He could have signed it at midnight or just dated it for the next day
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u/SonofaSpurrier 11d ago
Yeah, weird that she said the offer expired at midnight. I’m sure it’ll come up!
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u/GimlionTheHunter 11d ago
Knowing corporations, as well as the author’s vibes, it probably doesn’t expire at midnight, that’s just Felicia lying to pressure Peter into signing via FOMO
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u/Jinjoz Mutant 11d ago
She is definitely taking advantage of the fact that Peter is a young kid with not a lot of experience. She is strong arming him pretty hard and also doesn't seem to be hesitant in using her body to make him a little uncomfortable. She even talks him up to the rest of the staff before he arrives to make him feel welcome already
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u/Brence1984 12d ago
Great review! And I can only agree, though the discomfort with the experiment and after action report are hopefully just a single setup and not so much the vibe for the entire run. Somehow that hit way too hard.
Fun thing though that instead of turning the tables like Absolute Batman did (Bruce being poor, Joker being rich etc.) they actually “horrified” Spiderman instead. Not swapping the story around to much but simply taking the idea to its more extreme which is definitely cool.