Spider-Man #5 (LGY #161) review (2024)

If you’re a fan of the Spider-Verse, you best keep up with Dan Slott and Mark Bagley’s epic Spider-Man. The series has integrated various Spider-Man characters from the multiverse, new and old, with some big twists and even Morlun joining the heroes. They’re fighting against a threat that could vanquish the great web itself, but in Spider-Man #5, we meet a particular Peter Parker.

Spider-Man #5 is a big departure from the main narrative of where we left off and instead focuses on a version of Peter Parker that missed getting bitten by the radioactive spider. A reoccurring theme in this issue involves various criminals and supervillains still entering Peter Parker’s life. That includes the perp who shot Uncle Ben, which you can see in the preview. These threats, along with a specific spider-centric hero still occurring in his universe, sets in motion a heroic focus for Peter.

It’s too early to tell why an entire issue is devoted to this Peter Parker, as it ends up feeling like a What If…? issue,but it’s certainly compelling to see how Peter’s life would change without his powers. Slott seems to be showing us a lot of his bad luck is tied to his powers–and his need to save others with them–as well as how bullies treated him.It turns out that without powers, maybe this Peter Parker is a much smarter twist on the 616 Peter Parker. It’s just a theory, but it could mean the edge in the battle going forward in the series.

It’s too early to tell since this issue is set up for something to come, but it does feel like a long-winded departure from the main event. Aside from a recap page to open the book, this entire issue is the origin of a different Peter Parker. Even the big twist of it all–the fact that this Peter Parker is the 616 Peter Parker–isn’t touched upon. There seems to be a point here, and there’s nothing to go on yet. The trouble is, without knowing why we’re focused on this Peter Parker or how he’s from Earth-616, it’s hard to gather what it all means.

Art by Bagley is as good as ever, with some iconic shots that have to be homaging layouts and art by Bagley himself. Nearly the entire book is Peter Parker in street clothes and a large cast of ordinary everyday people.

This issue also contains a backup by Justin A. Reynolds and Julian Shaw about Peter trying to attend an outdoor concert. He lost his ticket, and things only get worse from there. Rhino shows up, Spider-Man gets beat up pretty well, and a friendly face pops in. It’s a perfectly fine bonus story with ties to concerts and music.

Spider-Man #5 is a head-scratcher issue, never giving up details on what it all means, and instead requires you to pay attention to an alternate take on Peter Parker. Basically, a multiverse What If…? story. Read this one expecting some major ramifications and explanation, but go in with plenty of patience.