Marco Speaks Spidey! – Spider-Man Noir (2025) #1 Review

5 days ago 10

Written by: Erik Larsen
Pencils by: Andrea Broccardo
Cover by: Simone DI Meo

Spider-Man Noir is back, and this time he’s older, wiser, and carrying the weight of a thousand Spider-Verse battles. Spider-Man Noir (2025) #1 doesn’t just drop us back into the rain-soaked alleys of the 1930s—it gives us a Peter Parker who’s learned from the chaos of multiversal mayhem, and who now carries that wisdom into his grittier, gun-smoked world.

PROS:

A Wiser Spider in a Darker World

One of the best parts of this issue is seeing just how much more seasoned this Peter feels. He’s not a wide-eyed vigilante anymore. He’s got scars, experience, and a sense of perspective that comes from being yanked through Spider-Verse insanity. That makes him a fascinating figure to follow—because unlike his more optimistic counterparts, Noir Spider-Man is constantly torn between fighting with his fists or giving in to the harsher realities of his world, like pulling a trigger.

That tension—the push and pull between brawler and gunslinger, on top of being a detective—is one of the most unique hooks of the book, and it really sets this version apart.

Aunt May, as Grounded as Ever

Even in a grim noir world, some things never change. Aunt May is still the voice of compassion, grounding Peter when he needs it most. But this isn’t the Aunt May we’re used to. She knows his secret. She knows he’s Spider-Man. And she hates the guns.

Her conversations with Peter are tender and full of tough love. She doesn’t just tell him to keep fighting—she reminds him to live for himself, not just for everyone else. It’s endearing, and honestly, one of the most moving dynamics of the issue. No matter how gritty this version of Peter gets, May makes sure his humanity stays intact.

Gwen Stacy: Show-Stealing Entrance

Then comes Gwen Stacy—and wow, what an introduction. The moment she walks into Peter’s office had me practically standing up and applauding. She’s striking, mysterious, and instantly compelling. Her father’s murder is the mystery driving the story forward, but what makes it more intriguing is the suggestion that maybe her father wasn’t the upstanding man he claimed to be. The hints that he may have had ties to the Scorpion Gang add layers of moral ambiguity that fit perfectly in a noir tale.

This isn’t a clean-cut mystery. It’s going to get messy. And Gwen’s role in it promises to be unforgettable.

Crime, Chaos, and Classic Bad Luck

The Scorpion Gang makes their presence felt in this issue, and their showdown with Spider-Man is a blast. The action is fast-paced, gritty, and just stylized enough to pop off the page. Andrea Broccardo’s art strikes a clever balance—it’s steeped in noir shadows and atmosphere, but it also has enough cartoony flair to keep things vibrant and fun to look at. It doesn’t bog down in grayness; it breathes.

And of course, because this is Spider-Man, Noir or not, Peter can’t catch a break. Rent is due, love is complicated, and even when he wins, he loses a little. That classic “Parker luck” remains intact, proving once again that the core of Spider-Man transcends every universe. And his top priority still remains making sure people know there is a hyphen in his name.

Noir with Heart

What struck me most is how this book manages to be noir without being joyless. It’s not just endless gloom and cynicism. There’s heart here—between Peter and Aunt May, in the sparks of Gwen’s introduction, even in the humor laced through Peter’s unlucky breaks. It’s a noir tale, yes, but it doesn’t forget that this is still Spider-Man. And Spider-Man’s greatest strength has always been his humanity.

CONS:

Room for More Grit

If I have one critique, it’s that for a series branded as “Noir,” I wouldn’t mind things getting even darker in future issues. The violence could hit harder, the moral dilemmas could get murkier, and the shadows could stretch longer. The tone is almost there, but there’s still room to push the grit and grime further. With the setup already in place, I’m hopeful the next chapters dive deeper into that side.

Final Thoughts

Spider-Man Noir (2025) #1 is a fantastic start to a new chapter in one of the most stylish corners of the Spider-Verse. It balances grit with heart, action with introspection, and nostalgia with fresh mystery. Peter’s internal conflict, Aunt May’s grounding wisdom, Gwen’s unforgettable entrance, and the buzzing mystery around her father’s true nature all combine to deliver a debut issue that pulls you in and refuses to let go.

Yes, it could use a touch more grit to fully embrace its noir branding—but even as it stands, this is a book that honors Spider-Man’s essence while dressing it in trench coats and shadows. And that’s something I’ll happily follow issue after issue.