Review: ‘Dark Web: Dusk’ Starts An Inferno

It’s Christmas in the Marvel Universe. That’s never a good thing. Last Christmas, the King in Black invaded the planet. This Christmas, it’s a lot more hellish….

Marvel’s winter event kicks off here in Dark Web: Dusk from Zeb Wells, Adam Kubert, Frank Martin, and Joe Caramagna.

Ben Reilly blames his brother, Peter Parker, for all his losses. Maddy Pryor knows just what to do with that sort of anger. As Peter and his family celebrate lost friends, and the X-Men celebrate Christmas, their plan ignites an inferno in New York City. Chasm and the Goblin Queen are about to have their revenge, and the entire city is about to suffer for the sins of its heroes.

This issue is such a mixed bag. The interpersonal drama of Spider-Man’s personal life is great. It continues to be one of the strongest parts of Wells’ storytelling. Peter and Norman Osborn’s interactions continue to be a highlight, with Norman being a completely believable changed man. Wells has made me believe that he’s changed, and that alone is a fascinating aspect of the story that’s worth checking it out.

On the flip side, the X-Men are wooden, particularly Magik. She’s completely detached and emotionless. Wells is the writer who’s more or less responsible for the modern characterization of Magik, and it’s bizarre to see her so under-written here. The conflict is extremely frustrating as well- it could really be solved by Ben talking to Peter.

Visually, the issue is fantastic. Kubert’s figures are incredibly expressive, and even the bad panels look interesting. His designs for the Inferno monsters are fantastic. They recall Silvestri and Simonson’s monsters from the original, with gnarly angles, and truly sharp teeth. Martin uses colors that are slightly watercolor-ish, and it creates a surreal unease as things go to hell.

This is largely popcorn comics, but I dig it. I hope the rest of the event is this fun.

Dark Web: Dusk is available now from Marvel Comics.