Spider-Man Noir (2008) full-series review: A lethal hero enters the scene

As days go by, we're getting closer and closer to finally watching Spider-Man Noir's live-action debut in the Amazon and MGM+ TV series. Multiple casting news made waves online in the past weeks, indicating production could start sooner than expected. So now is the perfect time to revisit the history of this dark version of the web-slinger and dive into his first comic book series.

Back in 2009, Marvel launched a completely new universe where readers could see their favorite heroes at the heart and center of the noir genre. They were the protagonists of grim crime stories set during the Great Depression. Right out of the gate, it presents a fresh take on the characters we all know and love, including the wall-crawler himself.

His first mini-series, titled Spider-Man Noir, was published on December 17, 2008. With it, the world was introduced to a violent vigilante across four short but exhilarating issues. Peter faced classic villains like the Green Goblin, Kraven, the Chameleon, Vulture, and more. However, every character introduced had a unique twist this time around, and that's one of the most striking aspects of this saga.

Spidey reimagined

Spider-Man Noir (2008) quickly throws out the window many aspects that readers have come to expect from Spider-Man stories. Peter isn't afraid to use lethal force this time around, J. Jonah Jameson is a man of integrity, Kraven is an animal trainer recruited from a circus, The Vulture likes the taste of human flesh, and so on. While many of those changes wouldn't be well-received in the main Amazing Spider-Man run, they work brilliantly here. Better yet; they weren't introduced simply for the "shock factor". Instead, they come in service their characters.

Take Black Cat, for example. While we all know Felicia Hardy is an acrobatic thief who can stand her ground in hand-to-hand combat, she's a little bit different here. Felicia acts as the owner of a nightclub called The Black Cat in which many political and criminal figures spend their time. That puts her right in the center of the action without needing to suit up and steal things from major players. Alternatively, her game is all about getting information and siding with the right people. It's a new take on the supervillain/love interest, but one that strangely feels like home.

Peter Parker is the one who can feel the most distinct. At his core, he fights for the rights of the citizens of New York, works at the Daily Bugle, and takes care of his aunt. However, he isn't afraid to get his hands dirty when needed. This version of Spider-Man is more than willing to take out of the picture the bad guys controlling the city from the shadows. Furthermore, he sees photography as something more than work. He wants to expose all the wrongful events that take place in New York using a camera. It's a means to a heroic end.

It may take a little bit of time to get used to this version of the not-so-friendly neighborhood hero. However, that's what "alternate reality" storylines are all about, and this one doesn't fade from memory as easily as others. Instead, it lingers a bit more - which is a great feat, by all means.

Too short for its own good

The Spider-Man Noir (2008) mini-series consists of just four issues. On the bright side; that allows it to be an isolated story that doesn't need extensive superhero knowledge to understand. One of the biggest problems when first venturing into the world of comic books is figuring out where to start. However, readers get straight to the point and right into the action here, which is a big advantage.

Unfortunately, that comes at the cost of not spending too much time with Spider-Man himself. By the time he enters the picture, readers will be halfway done with the series. That wouldn't be too much of a problem if it wasn't for one of the subplots revolving around Spidey getting rid of Norman Osborn's criminal empire on his own. Unfortunately, that whole war takes place in just a few pages - which doesn't allow the arc to breathe. The moment the wall-crawler finally swings into action, pacing issues unfortunately become evident. While there wasn't a need to publish over 900 comic books like the main Amazing Spider-Man series, two or three extra entries would've changed things for the better.

It would've been nice to see more of the wall-crawler in action during Spider-Man Noir (2008). The potential was there for him to let a criminal keep his life, only for that decision to backfire later. That would've better explained his reasoning behind killing bad guys and it would've given it more emotional resonance. Sure, Uncle Ben's death does the job, but readers only get a glimpse of that moment through a few flashbacks.

Furthermore, the buildup and eventual confrontation between Peter and The Goblin could've been better. After all, their final stand-off was underwhelming, with them barely throwing any punches. If the story dedicated more time to its closing act, then it would've been more memorable by all means.

A unique style

While it may take some time to get used to the art direction of Spider-Man Noir (2008), artist Carmine DI Giandomenico proves to be the right man for the job. His illustrations are simple, yet with a very distinctive touch that makes the series feel different from many other Spider-Man comic books.

The visual style fits that of a noir novel, with a mostly cold palette of colors and daunting facial expressions. Fittingly, Spider-Man Noir (2008) doesn't shy away from showing bloody and violent crime scenes, which is a plus. Perhaps readers can get tangled in the action sequences at times, but more often than not the art is stunning and - better yet - unique.

Conclusion: A solid yet rushed take on the hero

While Spider-Man Noir (2008) rarely goes deeper than shallow water due to its short duration, it succeeds at presenting a grim, dark, and yet likable take on the iconic wall-crawler. Readers will be presented with an interesting mystery that manages to keep the series afloat, even if it rushes things towards its second half.

In anticipation of the Spider-Man Noir live-action adaptation, we'll also be reviewing the Spider-Man Noir: Eyes Without a Face comic series. So be sure to stick around with Whatever A Spider Can for everything Spider-Man-related!