First off, Happy New Year to everyone reading. A new year always feels exciting, but this one especially so — because it feels like there are a lot of great Spider-Man stories ahead for the entire Spider-Man family of comics and characters. Across the board, Spidey books have been hitting hard, and if this issue is any indication, we’re starting the year on a very high note.
And what a way to kick things off.
Spider-Man Noir #4 is a big, loud, confident start to the new year — a true bang of an issue that blends pulp action, noir tension, and classic Spider-Man themes in a way that feels fresh and dangerous. This book continues to prove that Noir isn’t just an aesthetic — it’s a mindset, a tone, and a different kind of Spider-Man story altogether.
A Tale of Two Fights
This issue gives us two major confrontations right out of the gate. The first is a lighter, less serious bout between Spider-Man and a ghost-hunter — a fun, slightly offbeat clash that still feels very much at home in this strange, shadowy world. It’s entertaining, brisk, and reminds us that even Noir Spidey can have moments of levity amid the darkness.
But then comes the second fight — and this is where everything changes.
The confrontation between Spider-Man and the Diving-Helmet Killer is brutal, serious, and shocking. This isn’t a drawn-out slugfest. This isn’t a heroic comeback. This is Spider-Man getting beaten. Thoroughly. Easily. Almost effortlessly.
And then — the twist.
The Diving-Helmet Killer doesn’t just defeat Spider-Man.
He steals his powers.
By the end of the issue, Peter Parker is left completely powerless, while the Diving-Helmet Killer is roaming the city as Spider-Man, using stolen abilities to hunt down and murder gang members. It’s dark, it’s twisted, and it’s one of the most compelling status-quo shifts this series could have pulled.
The Stakes Have Never Been Higher
What makes this turn so effective is what it sets up next. The killer’s next target is Gwen Stacy — the woman Peter has sworn to protect, no matter the cost.
And Peter knows the truth:
He has no powers.
He has no safety net.
If he’s going to protect Gwen, it won’t be with webs or wall-crawling.
It’ll be with grit.
With guns.
With sheer determination.
That alone makes the next issue impossible to wait for.
Still Noir, Still Spider-Man
Despite the massive twist, this comic never loses sight of its identity. The art, the writing, and the overall atmosphere are drenched in noir — heavy shadows, moody interiors, rain-soaked streets, and violence that feels sudden and final. This feels like a noir story through and through.
But at its core, it still feels unmistakably Spider-Man.
Just… a more nuanced Spider-Man.
A Different Aunt May — and It Works
One of the most interesting elements of this issue is the portrayal of Aunt May. This isn’t the fragile, overly worried May we often see. This Aunt May is supportive, aggressive, and relentless in pushing Peter to live up to the idea of responsibility.
She pressures him to get out there.
To stop hiding behind work.
To patrol the streets and protect the city.
In the spirit of “with great responsibility,” she refuses to let Peter sit still. It’s a powerful take — and one that fits this harsher world perfectly.
MJ and May — The Backbone Peter Needs
Mary Jane is equally strong in this issue. She teams up with Aunt May, determined to figure out what’s wrong with Peter and how they can help him. Together, they form the emotional backbone of the story — grounding Peter, challenging him, and giving him the push he desperately needs.
They aren’t passive.
They aren’t background characters.
They’re forces.
And Peter needs them.
The Gwen Stacy Problem
Of course, hanging over everything is Gwen.
She wants to know who Spider-Man is — because Spider-Man killed her father.
And Peter Parker is Spider-Man.
That tension hasn’t gone away — if anything, it’s getting worse. Peter is trapped in an impossible situation: loving Gwen, protecting her, lying to her, and knowing that he’s responsible for the greatest pain in her life.
Now add one more layer:
Peter has no powers — and Gwen is connected to the gangs the false Spider-Man is slaughtering.
It’s messy.
It’s stressful.
And it’s incredibly entertaining.
FINAL GRADE: A++
All positives for me this issue. All pros and no cons. It was as perfect a start to 2026 as you can wish for, and things only look to be getting better and better down the line.
Final Thoughts
Spider-Man Noir #4 is a rock-solid, high-impact issue that flips the board in a bold and exciting way. The fights are memorable, the twist is huge, and the emotional tension is off the charts. The series continues to nail the noir atmosphere while staying true to Spider-Man’s core themes of responsibility, sacrifice, and love.
Ending the issue with Peter powerless while a killer wears his face is a brilliant move — and it sets up a future where Spider-Man must rely not on abilities, but on who he is as a man.
If this is how we’re starting the year, then Spider-Man fans have a lot to look forward to.
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English (US) · 