It’s still Dan Slott at the helm as we move to our next villain, but with the new art team of Michael Lark, Stefano Gaudino and Matt Hollingsworth. Made me think about it, but I suppose this would have to be after Lark concluded his time on Daredevil with Ed Brubaker. Daredevil is currently being led down perhaps the stupidest path that title has ever been on, including back when he wore Venetian blinds on his shoulders, and it’s gonna hit the ol’ blog soon. Doing an event where classic Spider-Man villains are leveled up and including Mr. Negative smacks of hubris, but no one asked me.
So, like, Michael Lark is one of the realism guys, one of the photoreal guys, and I’m worried because that Spidey down there looks swiped. I can’t place it, but it looks familiar.
And a very Pat Oliffe Spidey in panel 4. I dunno. Results inconclusive. Stick around to the end of the show to find out if Michael Lark is the father. What? Anyway, in Queens, Aunt May is angrily kicking Harry and the Reillys (Terrible folk band) out of her house. With extreme prejudice, saying some really cruel things to Harry. This is the kind of situation they usually put Peter in, making May do it is even worse. And, on the Upper West Side, Carlie Cooper and Captain Watanabe are still at the scene of the Mysterio explosion, where it’s now nighttime like everywhere else, and Carlie’s Dad calls her to try to get her to meet up with him and his payout. I guess that’s why Slott’s stayed on, this is still his previous story. She says not to talk over the phone, but she’ll tell him where to meet soon…
Meanwhile, Harry shows up at Mary Jane’s apartment. She assumes, at this hour, an unannounced visitor will be Peter, which seems really weird at this time, and is not too happy that Harry’s inviting himself in to crash for a day or two until he figures out where to live. He says it will be like old times, then clarifies he doesn’t mean when they were dating or when he was the Green Goblin threatening to throw her off a bridge (Which he did not do, but we have some lovely parting gifts for you). Harry both remembering his time as the Goblin and talking about it so cavalierly feels so weird to me. He died! Except “he didn’t” now. OMD never fails to make me sneer when they remind me of it. Back at the fight, Spider-Man is telling the goons how it’s nice to fight guys who can’t die, so he doesn’t have to hold back, when you-know-who finally puts in an appearance.
Ow. Elsewhere, Carlie Cooper has led her dad to a place full of her Mom’s packed up stuff as a pretense. Donning a gas mask, she tells him she’s made a version of Mr. Negative’s Devil’s Breath from the sample she found at the Mysterio crime scene that will only affect her bloodline. She says either it will prove he’s not her dad, or if it doesn’t, the man she thought of has her father died years ago, and she doesn’t care what happens.
Hardcore. Carliecore. Black Cat has now breached Mr. Negative’s safe and found the blood sample. How does he keep making gas with the sample and still have the sample? She is tempted to take a bunch of cash, but the plan is to swap the sample out with a fake. Meanwhile, Mr. Negative is down in the alley, looking for Spider-Man and taunting him, in a scene not unlike Darth Vader trying to find Luke Skywalker at the end of Return of the Jedi. He says he lives by a code, and for invading his home, he must “visit his wrath upon” Spider-Man like never before. Say hi to your wrath for me!
Not a bad caper. But speaking of the folks…
Well, if this means MJ will be in the book more, that’s nice. Also it’s nice to see classic cast members together. Especially in 2026, when things are so different and stupid.
Well, I thought this meant we were about to get to this event’s one lasting turn, but apparently next issue is Morbius? Ok! Carlie Cooper kind of turning into Deb Whitman and me not even noticing is weird. But I’m glad she’s standing up for herself. Carliecore.