Comic book fans know that there are plenty of dark moments in their favorite stories from these long-running character franchises. But one character that has an unexpected number of disturbing stories is your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. While mostly known as a wise-cracking teen with a heart of gold, sometimes Peter Parker is pushed to his limits and takes part in or is subjected to some unnerving things.
Unlike a grittier character such as Daredevil, Spidey's dark moments are typically sparse. When they do happen, however, they make for some of the hardest-to-read stories in all of Marvel Comics.
Superior Spider-Man - Amazing Spider-Man #700
One of Spidey's most famous and sinister foes is Otto Octavius, AKA Doctor Octopus. In this arc, Doc Ock is dying, physically at least. Otto knows his mind is in peak condition, he just needs a body that isn't decaying. He chooses none other than his fierce rival Spider-Man. In a brutal battle, Otto leaves Peter beaten and bloodied, before switching their minds.
Trapped in the body of Otto, Peter's mind succumbs to the dying body and appears to perish. Otto, now in Peter's body, discovers that not only does he have a younger body, he also has the powers of Spider-Man. This leads to Otto believing he is the Superior Spider-Man, having all of the powers but none of the moral compass.
One More Day
Peter Parker's greatest weakness is his love for those around him. He will do anything to save the ones he cares for, even sacrifice his own happiness. During the events of Civil War, Aunt May is shot. After the war, Peter is desperate to save her and gets help from an unlikely and unsettling source. Peter is offered help by none other than Mephisto, who tells Peter he will gladly help May, in exchange for his marriage to Mary Jane.
Put in an unwinnable situation, Peter accepts the deal. Spider-Man loses his relationship with MJ and gets much more than he bargained for. This story is a rough one for Peter, and one that many fans theorize and hope will be adapted in Spider-Man: No Way Home.
Kraven's Last Hunt
Kraven the hunter has remained one of Spider-Man's deadliest and most formidable foes throughout his history. While there are several examples of how he has earned this title, none are as gut-wrenching as Kraven's Last Hunt. Kraven the Hunter nearly kills Peter Parker and then tops the defeat off by burying him alive.
While Peter is underground, Kraven assumed the identity of Spider-Man and proves to be a much more erratic variant of the Wall-Crawler. This is a very dark story for Marvel, so it should be no surprise that it was originally pitched to DC as a Batman story. The ending is what really drives this story into disturbing territories, and remains one of the vilest alternate versions of Kraven The Hunter.
Death Of Gwen Stacy- Amazing Spider-Man #121
Tragedy plagues poor Peter Parker and his journey as a hero. Perhaps one of the most famous and heartbreaking moments in the character's nearly sixty-year history was when Peter failed to save his then-girlfriend, Gwen Stacy. Peter's arch-nemesis Green Goblin returns to his old tricks and seems to be even worse than before. He captures Gwen and drops her from a bridge.
Spidey shoots a web at her, but it was too late. What makes this even more heartbreaking is that many fans debate whether Spider-Man is actually to blame. Fans are unclear if she actually hit the ground, or if the whiplash caused by the web is had finished her. Regardless, this was a pivotal and tragic moment in Spider-Man's history and one that is still talked about to this day.
Death Of Jean DeWolff- Spectacular Spider-Man #107-110
Peter's limits are beyond pushed when NYPD detective and close ally to Peter, Jean DeWolff, is murdered in her sleep. This sets Peter off on a rampage as he tracks down the serial killer responsible, Sin-Eater. Peter becomes so dangerous that Daredevil has to step in and reel him in.
While this story is remembered for its dark nature, something else it is known for is planting the seeds that would eventually sprout Venom, as in the story Eddie Brock is mocked and he blames Spidey for it. While the story's plot twist wasn't a great secret due to the title giving it away, it is still a dark chapter for Spider-Man.
Peter Kills MJ And Aunt May- Marvel Zombies
While the Marvel Zombie arc was loosely adapted for What If...?, featuring some of the best characters of the show, the comic series is much darker, especially for Peter. Thanks to his healing factor, Peter took much longer to turn when he becomes infected. Because of this, he is still conscious when he unwillingly devours both Aunt May and Mary Jane.
It is troubling to see other classic characters kill their loved ones while in a zombified state, but seeing Peter beg their forgiveness while he slowly slips away is troubling and unnerving. This not only makes for one of Spider-Man's darkest moments but one of the darkest in comic book history.
Peter Dies - Ultimate Spider-Man #160
After escaping prison, Norman Osborn and the Sinister Six led an assault on Spider-Man and his family. In a brutal and violent battle, Spider-Man just barely manages to take out the Goblin, but at the cost of his own life. In his final moments, Peter is held by MJ and is surrounded by his allies as they watch the 16-year-old hero comfort his Aunt May.
Peter mentions he has made up for Uncle Ben's death, before succumbing to his injuries. Given Peter's age and the manner of his death, this is one of the most tear-jerking moments Spidey has even been a part of.
Mary Jane's Cause Of Death - Spider-Man: Reign
A story that takes place in the future and sees a hero old and retired was made popular by stories such as The Dark Knight Returns and Old Man Logan. In Spider-Man's case, this was in Spider-Man: Reign. 30 years in the future, an older Peter Parker is retired from crime-fighting but is called back into action to combat a dictatorial mayor.
It is revealed early on that Mary Jane had passed away sometime prior, and her cause of death is absolutely tragic. Peter's powers come from a radioactive spider, meaning he has radiation coursing through him. After years together, Peter unknowingly gives his wife radiation poisoning, which leads to her getting cancer and dying, resulting in him retiring Spider-Man.
The Symbiote
First appearing in Amazing Spider-Man #252, the black symbiote suit has become almost as iconic as the red and blue suit. The suit makes Peter much more violent and powerful, leading to him being a much darker hero than fans are used to.
The symbiote has become a famous part of Spider-Man lore, with it appearing in several different stories over the years. While Peter is able to mostly control it, there are some deadly and powerful characters who have donned symbiotic powers. Whenever the symbiote is introduced in a story, fans can rest assured they are in for some dark and twisted stuff.
Hit A Pregnant Mary Jane - Clone Saga
Peter has been shown to do some reckless things when he flies off the handle. In the Clone Saga, Ben Reilly is a clone of Peter, complete with spider powers. Ben suggests a contest to prove which one is the original Peter, and the actual Peter loses. Shocked and blind with rage, Peter brutally attacks Ben. Mary Jane goes to intervene before Peter goes too far.
Peter intended to just shrug her off, but in his rage, he had no control of his powers and he sent her flying behind him. A devastated Peter realizes what he has done, and quickly leaves the scene. What makes the incident all the more tragic, is that Mary Jane was pregnant at the time. She was fine, but this just shows what can happen when Peter is pushed to his breaking point.