Warning: Contains spoilers for Spider-Man #61!
Spider-Man is getting a major magical update to Marvel continuity. Thanks to some radical changes in the comics, Spider-Man is not only becoming a sorcerer’s apprentice, but he also has a new costume to match. Some incredible powers come with change, as well as some not-so-incredible responsibilities along with the power, but the most surprising factor is that Spider-Man is now immune to death.
The Incredible Spider-Man #61 – written by Joe Kelly, with art by Ed McGuinness – shows the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man making yet another pact with a magical being. After the events of Marvel Blood Hunt crossover, Doctor Doom is Earth’s Sorcerer Supreme, and he has recruited the Webslinger to help him defeat a deadly magical threat. Now, when Spider-Man discovers he is not up to the task, he is forced to accept help from Doom.
What follows is an all-new chapter for Spider-Man, with fantastic magical powers, Arcane armor, and the ability to conquer death through a horrific process of rebirth.
Spider-Man is officially an agent of the Sorcerer Supreme Doctor Doom, in a major twist for the character
The Incredible Spider-Man #61 – Written by Joe Kelly; Art by Ed McGuinness; Ink by Mark Farmer; Color By Marcio Menyz; Lyrics by Joe Caramagna
Spider-Man and magic don’t mix so well, but now he must embrace it to defeat the Scions of Cyttorak, a supernatural force of unbelievable power and horror unlike anything street hero Spider-Man is used to. But luckily, Spider-Man isn’t just a web-slinging hero fighting mystical beings. He now knows the names and purposes of spells thanks to the sorcerer’s knowledge of Doom, and he uses these same spells, such as Wicked Webs of Wundagore and Luminescene of Limitless Langolinto attack your opponents.
However, even with his spells and his new silver Arcane Armor, Spider-Man is still the same despite this major power upgrade. Although the spells he casts are now related to Doctor Strange’s powers, they are still “translated” into action on the page as webs, showing that Doom can endow Peter Parker with mystical abilities, but that he is not replacing the Webslinger’s classic powers. in the process. His new power acts as ethereal and magical attacks that translate the use of his physical webs into spiritual webs.
Spider-Man now has magical power over death and resurrection
Peter Parker becomes Marvel’s last immortal
Surprisingly, however, this new magical force, as displayed in Amazing Spider-Man #61 isn’t Spidey’s only upgraded power. As he defeats the Scion of Cytorrak using his magical web energy, Spider-Man is forced to sacrifice himself. Yet Thanks to Raggadorr’s eight Life Restoring Reeds, Peter Parker now has power over death; Just like Wolverine or Deadpool, Spider-Man can come back from even the most gruesome deaths, completely changing his role in the Marvel Universe, at least for now.
This resurrection power may be an upgrade that transforms Spider-Man from hero to god, but it will have lasting traumatic effects on Peter Parker for some time in the future.
Though it’s important to note that this granted immortality goes beyond just a healing factor. As Phil Coulson, Marvel’s latest embodiment of Death, reveals, Spider-Man does indeed die. The Reeds of Raggador are a terrifying power because Spider-Man experiences a true and horrible death, only to assimilate himself again, atom by atom, through the use of pure magic, stitched together like a web from the ground up. This resurrection power may be an upgrade that transforms Spider-Man from hero to god, but it will have lasting traumatic effects on Peter Parker for some time in the future.
Spider-Man is Doom’s newest apprentice, giving Peter Parker a new purpose in the Marvel Universe
Spider-Man’s Latest “Deal with the Devil”
This is not the first time that Spider-Man has made a pact with a magical or mystical being in the Marvel Universe. He made an infamous pact with Mephisto in one of the most surprising and fundamental moments in Peter Parker’s career in Spider-Man: Another Day, by J. Michael Straczynski and Joe Quesada. The comic saw Peter Parker negotiating his own marriage and relationship with Mary Jane with the demon Mephisto to save his Aunt May’s life.
No matter what happens, Spider-Man will always put his own well-being at risk to save others.
Although a controversial concept for fans at the time (and still today), it reveals a clear morality in Spider-Man’s life. He would rather give up any important part of his happiness to save the life of a loved one. Although the stakes aren’t that high Amazing Spider-Man #61, the same rule applies: Spider-Man plays the game quickly and realizes that in order to save the lives of innocent people, he needs to make a deal with Doom. No matter what happens, Spider-Man will always put his own well-being at risk to save others.
Spider-Man is New York’s latest magical Marvel hero – but will the update last?
Seven more deaths are in store for Spidey
A lot can change in one issue, from a new Sorcerer Supreme making a deal with Marvel’s most iconic hero, to that same hero’s death and rebirth in the same issue. As part of a series titled Spider-Man’s 8 deaths, Doom tasked him with killing all eight of Cyttorak’s Scions, as well as gifting him with the Reeds that allow him to resurrect. Consequently, Spider-Man must prepare for more deaths in the Marvel canon than the hero has ever imagined experiencing before.
Deadpool and Wolverine never die, and even Doctor Strange’s shadow has a chance to live beyond death. On the other hand, Spider-Man always has to die for real. Fortunately, he’s more powerful than ever and in incredible armor as the Sorcerer Supreme’s newest apprentice. But if your last magical pact has any bearing on the story, then there may be more than eight Spider-Man deaths in the future.
Spider-Man #61 is now available from Marvel Comics!