On the Rack: Edge of Spider-verse #1

There’s a lot of anticipation surrounding Spider-verse. Marvel is billing the event as the biggest Spider-Man event ever, and with the appearance of every Spider-Man ever (yes, even Spider-Ham) it may just be. In Superior Spider-Man #32, Christos N. Gage gave us our first taste of the lead-in to the event (you can find my review of that issue here) and in Edge of Spider-verse, it’s picking up steam. This issue re-introduces readers to Spider-Man Noir, the Spider-Man of 1930’s New York. Written by David Hine and Fabrice Sapolsky with art by Richard Isanove, this issue does a good job of reintroducing this fan favourite character.

The story basically retells Spider-Man Noir’s origin story without being overly pedantic. It introduces the Aunt May, Mary Jane, Felicia Hardy, Wilson Fisk and Mysterio of the universe through their roles in the events that connect Spider-Man Noir to Spider-verse. The story is not only a very traditional sort of Spider-Man story because of its theme of using power responsibly, but it also fits in with its setting. Along with appropriately noir art, the story of the Magnificent Mysterio and his plan to gain Spider-Man’s powers provides a fitting back drop for Spider-Man Noir’s introduction into the ever looming threat and multi-universe event. The next issue in the series will tell how Gwen Stacey is involved as all of the various incarnations of Spider-Man continue to gather and Spider-verse really takes off.