Spine-Tingling Spider-Man

Spine-Tingling Spider-Man #0-4

by Saladin Ahmed, Juan E. Ferreyra (cover_art)

Collects Spine-Tingling Spider-Man (2023) #0-4.

The scariest Spider-Man story you've ever read! When a dangerous song takes all of New York City on a haunting journey through their dreams, a sleep-deprived Peter Parker must fight back his fears to face a threat unlike anything he has ever known! Because this time, his "Peter tingle" is a chill right down his spine! And if he can survive his encounter with the Sleep-Stealer - and a fight with the sinister Spidercide - Spider-Man will have to hit the road for the most terrifying ride of his life! Peter soon finds himself in the most frightening haunted house possible - but who took his powers? Who took his friends and family? Who stands the best chance at taking Spider-Man down - permanently? This has to be Mysterio's doing, right? But what if it's not?!

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Spider Man, Marvel

175 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 24, 2024

About the author

Saladin Ahmed was born in Detroit and raised in a working-class, Arab American enclave in Dearborn, MI.

His short stories have been nominated for the Nebula and Campbell awards, and have appeared in Year's Best Fantasy and numerous other magazines, anthologies, and podcasts, as well as being translated into five foreign languages. He is represented by Jennifer Jackson of the Donald Maass Literary Agency. THRONE OF THE CRESCENT MOON is his first novel.

Saladin lives near Detroit with his wife and twin children.

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was OK, with decent artwork, but the main thought I came away with was that the only way you can get Spidey to work in a horror setting seems to be to take away virtually everything that makes him Spidey, which renders the effort largely pointless.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I can’t find a #4 on here, I’ll use this as my #4, and the review stands for the whole series, anyway, since it’s over now (which is why I’m counting it as a book completed).
I didn’t know what to expect with this series, but it was fun and interesting, and the artwork definitely is creepy but in a good way! I really enjoyed the style. The story wasn’t as good as the art to me. I was curious at first, but once the reveal happened, it was just okay to me because then everything was wrapped up so quickly and easily in this last issue. I wish there were 5 issues total, so the end could be less abrupt and more tense like the rest of the issues are.
Overall, I enjoyed this series. Saladin Ahmed very rarely disappoints, so I’m happy to rate another run of his highly!

[Etienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Closer to two mini-series in one than a true series in itself. it has great arts, good story and it flirt with a creepy vibe with style. My only downside was the ending of each of those two stories which were a bit easy in their conclusion but also in the open aspect of the ending. Very good, but could have been great with some minor changes.

[Roman · Rating 3 out of 5]

​​Лімітку "Spine-tingling Spider-Man" Marvel анонсили як найстрашніший комікс про Людину Павука, плюс креативна команда у вигляді Саладина Ахмеда на сценарії та Хуана Ферейри на малюнку була досить цікавою. Тож давайте дізнаємося чи вдалося їм видати моторошну історію.

Зав'язка серії полягає в тому, що одного дня Пітер прокидається оточений поліцейськими у своїй квартирі. Неочікувано для Пітера орендодавець заявляє, що не знає хто він такий і, що він вперше бачить Паркера. Справи переходять від поганого до ще гіршого коли Пітер дізнається, що ніхто з його близьких теж не пам'ятає хто він такий. І вишенькою на торті невдач нашого дружелюбного сусіда стає усвідомлення того, що його павучі сили кудись зникли. Єдиною надією дізнатися, що ж взагалі відбувається стає загадкове повідомлення в якому сказано що Пітеру потрібно сісти на поїзд.

Почнемо з хорошого, а саме малюнку Ферейри. Він тут просто розкішний і є головною причиною через яку серія як мінімум варта уваги. Художник загалом непогано передав моторошну атмосферу, особливо сподобалося, що серія починається з яскравих кольорів які під кінець першого номеру повністю зникають, вказуючи на те, що Пітер опинився в жахітті. Взагалі для Ферейри це вже не перша серія такого типу, до цього він малював досить психоделічну лімітку "Deadly Neighborhood Spider-Man".

От щодо сюжету то тут у мене вже є певні проблеми. Сама загадка досить цікава й тримає в напрузі, через що мені справді хотілося дізнатися, що ж сталося. Однак коли справа дійшла до відповідей я залишився досить збентежений та дещо розчарований. В одному куті у нас є Містеріо, який тут звідкись знає, що Пітер є Павуком, спочатку я думав, що він це дізнався від загадкового мастермайнда який за цим всім стоїть, однак Пітер тут проводиться так ніби це нормально, а враховуючи що останній раз ми бачили акваріумоголового в рані Спенсера то я починаю підозрювати, що Пітер після того, як дізнався, що з Озборном спав Бек у перуці, а не Ґвен, на радощах сам йому розповів ким він є насправді. В іншому ж куті знаходиться сам лиходій який смикає за ниточки. Мені подобається, що ним виявився той хто ним виявився, але хотілося, щоб він був трішки більше залучений в усій історії. Ну і його розкриття звелося до того, що прийшов Спайдерсайд (якого я дуже радий бачити, та ще й в дизайні який він отримав у лімітці Бена Рейлі) і вилив на Паркера експозицію.

Тож, чи є "Spine-Tingling" найстрашнішим коміксом про Павука? Ні, хоча він беззаперечно має досить моторошну атмосферу. Незважаючи на досить слабенький фінал, я все-таки можу порадити цю серію, за поневіряннями Паркера було досить цікаво спостерігати, та і малюнок Ферейри тут просто чудовий.

[Alex Sarll]

"The scariest Spider-Man story you've ever read", which I guess is potentially true if you've read literally no other Spider-Man stories; alas, I've read the actual holder of that title (the one where Mysterio makes Peter think he's turning into a giant spider, obviously), so no dice. In fairness, Ferreyra's art is at least nicely spooky, if hardly terrifying, on the first of the two entirely separate stories here (another mark against that blurb claim - which one is it even supposed to apply to?). True, he's less steady on likenesses - Aunt May in particular sometimes gains and loses decades between panels - but he definitely gets across the not intrinsically visual idea of a killer earworm possessing New Yorkers and preventing them from sleeping. Really, though, the scariest thing about the story is that a superhero so many people think is brilliant doesn't have the sense to go straight to Doctor Strange (or Voodoo, or if absolutely necessary Druid) with a problem so obviously out of his own wheelhouse. Also, Marvel have made the mistake of actually releasing the song and it's not that catchy at all. I say this as someone who's had Str8 Acting by Lynks stuck in his head for three days, despite attending a Janelle Monae gig during that time , so it's not that I can't be earwormed - just not by something that sounds like a rejected Voltaire B-side.

The second half of the book lacks even that much character, running through a selection of default nightmare tropes without any particular distinction, and ending up far too reminiscent of the joyless latter stretches of Nick Spencer's Spidey run. The world has forgotten Peter exists! And he's lost his powers! And he's on a scary train! I'm only surprised he didn't end up back at school, with an exam he hadn't prepared for, in his pants.

[Iain · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is like a 2 but the art is a 4/5, Ferreyra kills it in these issues

[Adam Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damn that was so good! Billing itself as "The scariest Spider-Man story you've ever read" definitely sets the bar for a reader, and it mostly lived up to the hype. The story was rich and engrossing and fast-paced, and the art was some of the best atmospheric horror out there (definitely going to look into more by the illustrator). I wish the reveal of the true villain behind everything hadn't gone the way it did, but I was very pleased with this overall.
High recommend.

[Ashmita Shanthakumar · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5
Great art and interesting concept but the plot and the ending falls flat.

[Emmett Spain · Rating 5 out of 5]

A deeply creepy journey into body horror with some amazing art. Truly some of the finest, most atmospheric art I’ve seen in many years. This grabbed my attention and held it mercilessly from start to finish. Undoubtedly my favourite thing Saladin Ahmed has written. Top shelf horror-meets-superheroes comics. Loved it.

[Hal Halbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better stand-alone Spider-man minis, it has some disturbing imagery and solid plot that made it work without having to link into 400 other books to get the whole story. The art is edgier than most Spider books, and it was a solid reading experience.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Saladin Ahmed and Juan Ferreyra toss Marvel’s favorite wall-crawler into a world of nightmares with their graphic novel collection Spine-Tingling Spider-Man. The first half, initially released as a digital exclusive, sends Peter Parker after a mysterious song. The twisted lyrics and infectious tone are depriving the hero of sleep, leaving him in the verge of exhaustion. As he battles Spider Slayers on the New York streets, Spidey must locate the origin of this sleep-stealer before he also succumbs to its dark melody. The second half of the book deals with a powerless Peter, who seems to have been removed from the minds of all his friends and family. Taking a subway train filled with zombies and monsters to an abandoned house for answers, his instincts reveal that an old foe may be at the center of his current torment. Yet when Mysterio is revealed to be merely a pawn, Spider-Man is faced with an even more twisted game designed to break him. Saladin Ahmed offers a glimpse into a world where the web-slinger tackles the horror genre, and it is surprisingly entertaining. Despite the usual fisticuffs and continuity hiccups, Ahmed displays the chops for a darker corner of the Marvel Universe. Juan Ferreyra’s art swings between atmospherically dark and cartoon realism; this creates issues with the tonality of the thriller being told. When allowed to cut loose, Ferreyra builds a scary panel that is rife with grit and visceral proportions. Reined in to show more real-world areas, the art comes off as disproportionately animated. Spine-Tingling Spider-Man will raise readers hackles, providing new and unusual perspectives on the normally upbeat hero.

[Philmore Olazo · Rating 5 out of 5]

To the person who gave this as a gift to me. I love you!!!

This is one of the most fun Spider-Man comics I’ve read in a while. It’s not a secret that writing-wise. Spidey has not been in good hands for a loooooong time. So it’s quite refreshing to see something thoughtful and fun.

This book is actually two stories, although I don’t think they are connected necessarily.

In the first one we have a cool problem that Peter can’t handle by conventional means. A villain who attacks him in his dreams, leaving him tired and traumatized by a strange song that makes him hallucinate. This story is mostly about the symbolic power Spider-Man has, and how he affects the people around him.

The second story is a bit more basic, but it has some interesting possible implications for the future. Spider-Man has this characteristic, he actually tries to convert his villains, the most successful case being the Sandman. So it’s refreshing when you get one that’s clearly and irredimibly evil.

The art style is great amongst both stories, although I feel it’s much better and impactful in the second one.

I quite enjoyed what I saw here.

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's the 90s all over again as Spidercide returns to menace Peter, only for a deeper plot involving some other Spidey foes to unfold over these four creepy as hell issues.

The biggest draw here for me was Juan Ferreyra on art, because that guy can do horror like nobody's business. He stepped up after Ben Templesmith left Gotham After Midnight, and the book somehow managed to get even better under his pen. His terrifying visuals take the otherwise straight-forward story to new heights. Not that the story's bad, but it's definitely a tiny bit predictable. That said, throwing Spidercide into anything will make my little 90s kid heart jump with joy, so Saladin Ahmed gets a point for that.

[Kayra Kaan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not like this. I get that it's "Spider-Man but horror" but when you say that my expectation isn't something incredibly bloody, disgusting and uncomfortable. Well, not incredibly this is not a book that features gore. Well, that is also not true because it does have gore but without much blood.

What I expected out of this book was a horror-themed, still fun ride with Spider-Man. That is not what this is. Like I said, this is dark. Really dark stuff. Definitely keep your kids away from it like the cover of the book says. I found this to be pretty boring overall with not much interesting things going on. I don't recommend this.

[Chad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scariest Spider-Man comic ever? No. The scariest part of this is the lack of backgrounds in Ferreyra's art. I really like his art but he's certainly cutting corners on the often nonexistent backgrounds. This is OK. There's no logic behind the story though. It's just random shit Pete is threatened by that taken together makes no sense. No one remembers who Peter Parker is in one issue. In the next they remember him but they are evil. Ahmed, your story still needs logic.

[Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first 'Spine-Tingling' series was an Infinity Comic meant to be viewed on cellphones...
this one?

All the best bits designed for your standard comic dimensions. Creepy art and story definitely puts this more in the horror themed comics.
----
Bonus: It's very 90's with Spidercide as one of the villains...
Bonus Bonus: Feels like there will be another volume at some point...

[Néstor Vargas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for this season, enjoyed it a lot. It has an interesting mystery and does deliver a couple of truly horrific panels. Ferreyra’s art is fantastic and carried the whole book. Ahmed’s story starts really strong on the spooky side but falls out of it a bit towards the end, with a not-so-spooky resolution to a good mystery.

[Kris Ritchie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up for the stunning artwork, but the story was just kind of alright?

Peter is having nightmares. Nightmares involving losing his sense of self and his powers, but other than the interesting premise it just kind of fell flat for me. Quick read though.

[alejandro galvez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its solid.

Its always cool to see Superheroes in a horror setting. Mixing the best of both worlds. This was fun. It should happen more often. It makes for a really unique book. Great read. Check it out.

[Michael Cohen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art and the concept are a great change of pace for a spidey good but, damn, this could have been so much more. I feel like they were just scratching the surface of what could be done with this type of story.

[Ryk Stanton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Those didn’t really do anything for me.

[Justin Reedmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

My full thoughts on Youtube, here: https://youtu.be/NcGfz2KwYII

[Ushnav Shroff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite the tasty read.

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scariest Spider-Man story ever? Not quite.

[Miga Avalos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a treasure to read. What I wish was the standard for the current run on Amazing.

[sahar · Rating 2 out of 5]

goofy ahh spine tingling

[elyse · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 <3

i lov spider-man!! he so cool!!

[Evan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting story for Spiderman and my first “horror” comic read. The art in this book is amazing, I’m not sure I love the horror vibe it wasn’t anything over the top. Still very good though.

[John Henley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is more a sweet comic for the ending than a horror one. I want to give it a 3.5 but it def is closer to a 4 than a 3. It’s alright wasn’t very scary but that’s probably just me. I still enjoyed the ideas it had to offer and the art is amazing gonna look out for more spidey comics with this guys art.

[AviChaim Snyder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great and fun read! Thoroughly enjoyed the art most of all. Most of the story would be a throw-away but the art definitely made the overall book better. Grade B