Added Dark Web

Heading into 2023 saw the release of Marvel’s newest Spider-Man event, Dark Web. This brought two of Marvel’s biggest franchises, Spider-Man and the X-Men, together again, and served as an informal sequel to the 1988 X-Men crossover event Inferno. Ben Reilly in his new identity of Chasm was the primary villain along with Madelyne Pryor the Goblin Queen. Firestar appeared throughout as a member of the X-Men. The main story began in the one-shot Dark Web #1, then continued into Amazing Spider-Man volume 6 #15-18, and concluded in the one-shot Dark Web Finale #1. The event was supplemented by Venom volume 5 #14-15, as well as two mini-series tie-ins, Dark Web: X-Men #1-3 and Dark Web: Ms. Marvel #1-2. The main story was reprinted in the collected edition Amazing Spider-Man By Zeb Wells Vol. 4: Dark Web. All thirteen issues were reprinted in the collected edition Dark Web.

The event was preceded by a story in the one-shot Free Comic Book Day 2022: Spider-Man/Venom #1, and preludes in Amazing Spider-Man vol. 6 #14 and Venom vol. 5 #13.

The event also crossed over into Gold Goblin #2-3 and Mary Jane & Black Cat #1-2. At the time of this writing, an over-sized collected edition titled Dark Web Omnibus is scheduled for February 2025 and will contain all of the above issues, as well as Gold Goblin #1 and 4-5 and Mary Jane & Black Cat #3-5, even though those issues were not officially branded as part of the Dark Web event when they were originally published.

This entry will focus on the main story told in Dark Web #1, Amazing Spider-Man vol. 6 #15-18, and Dark Web Finale #1.

Ben Reilly was last seen in Amazing Spider-Man vol. 6 #14, which revealed how he forged a partnership with Madelyne Pryor and how his girlfriend Janine Godbe was transformed into Hallows’ Eve. Ben’s blossoming partnership with Madelyne Pryor was also depicted in Free Comic Book Day 2022: Spider-Man/Venom #1. Before that his descent into madness and transformation into Chasm was depicted in Amazing Spider-Man: Beyond Volume Four, the culmination of a year-long story featuring Ben back in the role of Spider-Man through an arrangement with the Beyond Corporation.

Firestar was last seen beginning her second X-Men tenure in the A.X.E.: Judgment Day event and in X-Men vol. 6 #13-18 and X-Men Annual vol. 4 #1. Those appearances followed her getting voted onto the X-Men at the most recent Hellfire Gala.

In Dark Web #1, Chasm appeared on 13 pages and an additional 3 pages in a dream sequence; Firestar appeared on 3 pages. Ben Reilly had a nightmare of Peter Parker stealing his face and brain. He woke up to realize he had taken a nap in Limbo. Madelyne Pryor used Ben’s pain and regret using her Scythe of Sorrows to enhance Ben’s powers. Next, the two villains met with Venom, who agreed to cooperate in exchange for his missing son. Madelyne used her Scythe to transform him back into the classic evil Venom. She then cast a musical spell that brought Limbo’s demons to New York City. Chasm attacked Norman Osborn before he could use his Gold Goblin technology to protect himself. Meanwhile at Rockefeller Center, Firestar and the X-Men were enjoying Christmas in New York until objects around the city started to turn into demons attacking civilians. The X-Men jumped into action to protect the city.

In Amazing Spider-Man vol. 6 #15, Chasm appeared on 7 pages. Spider-Man arrived at Oscorp to find Ben Reilly standing over a defeated Norman Osborn. Ben revealed his new identity as Chasm and his intent to terrorize the city until he got his memories back from Peter. Before they could discuss it further, Venom attacked Spider-Man. Ben left to another area of Oscorp where he began casting a mysterious spell. Ms. Marvel arrived to stop him but the spell was completed and transported her to Limbo. Chasm then did the same to J. Jonah Jameson. He returned to find Spider-Man and Venom’s battle had moved to a Christmas tree shop outside of Oscorp Tower. Venom had been defeated, but Madelyne Pryor and Hallows’ Eve retrieved him before leaving. Chasm then prepared to battle Spider-Man.

In Amazing Spider-Man vol. 6 #16, Chasm appeared on 13 pages plus 1 page of a misremembered flashback. After recounting a biased version of the last time the two saw each other, Chasm attacked Spider-Man. Revealing some new tricks, Chasm’s spider-sense was able to offensively strike back at one of Spider-Man’s sneak attacks. and Chasm’s web-shooters were able to create weapons made of solidified web fluid. Chasm finally revealed to Spider-Man that J. Jonah Jameson and Robbie Robertson were being held in Limbo. With their lives in danger, Spider-Man demanded to be taken to Limbo, which completed a spell Chasm had cast. A many-tentacled monster sprung up and pulled Spider-Man down into Limbo. Chasm took a moment to enjoy his victory.

In Amazing Spider-Man vol. 6 #17, Chasm appeared on 4 pages. Chasm returned to Limbo where Peter Parker was forced to go to work alongside Limbo’s demons in a mock replica of New York City. J. Jonah Jameson and Robbie Robertson were forced to cooperate as well. Chasm checked in on Peter and reminded him that all would be set right if he took a bite of fruit. Looking like a strange apple, the fruit would steal Peter’s soul and give it to Ben. Peter knew he had to agree to take the bite, and refused. Ben threatened Peter that he could never leave. Later, Chasm had a group of demons take on powers to represent a twisted version of the Sinister Six. One of the demons was also going to represent the hero Peter Parker, but Chasm kicked him out. Madelyne reminded Chasm that her demons were only on loan to him.

In Amazing Spider-Man vol. 6 #18, Chasm appeared on 9 pages and Firestar appeared on 1 page. Firestar and the X-Men arrived in Limbo with Madelyne Pryor, who had agreed to a truce with the X-Men. Madelyne Pryor let Chasm know that their campaign was over. Jean Grey had willingly shared her memories of raising Nathan Summers with her, and due to that kindness, she agreed to stop the demonic invasion of New York. Chasm insisted that even though Spider-Man was attempting to escape, he would soon agree to handing over his soul and memories. But Madelyne Pyor insisted that they stop now. Shortly after, the tree with the demonic fruit that would transfer Peter Parker’s soul and memories to Ben died and rotted. Later, Hallows’ Eve handed Chasm the Scythe of Sorrows, which she had taken from Madelyne Pryor. This transformed Ben Reilly into King Chasm, the Goblin King of Limbo. He took control of Limbo’s demons, swatted aside Spider-Man, and transported himself and his forces to New York City.

In Dark Web Finale #1, Chasm appeared on 18 pages and Firestar appeared on 8 pages. King Chasm and Hallows’ Eve led their army of demons across New York City. Back in Limbo, Firestar and the X-Men watched as Spider-Man and Madelyne Pryor debated on a battle plan. A short time later, King Chasm and his forces marched through New York City until they were challenged by Spider-Man and the X-Men. King Chasm ordered his forces to subdue Madelyne Pryor. She was joined by Eddie Brock, now under the guise of Bedlam due to his memories as Venom being erased. Spider-Man confronted King Chasm while the X-Men fought the Insidious Six and other demons from Limbo. Gold Goblin and Ms. Marvel arrived as well but they were not able to overpower King Chasm. Madelyne Pryor was able to assert her command of Limbo and regain her title as the Goblin Queen even without the Scythe of Sorrows. King Chasm soon noticed that Limbo’s demons were no longer following his orders. As the heroes made their final push against him, he teleported Hallows’ Eve away to safety. Soon, Madelyne Pryor regained her Scythe of Sorrows. Overpowered, Ben Reilly was once again just Chasm, and he surrendered. Some time later, in Spring, Spider-Man visited Ben Reilly, who was imprisoned in a peaceful oasis within Limbo. Peter told Ben that he hadn’t been able to fine Janine Godbe. Peter hoped there was still the good Ben Reilly inside somewhere, but Ben simply put on his Chasm mask again. Limbo’s demons only let Spider-Man visit for a limited time before removing him, leaving Ben Reilly alone.

Several references were made to these issues taking place close to or on Christmas Day except for the epilogue scene occurring in the Spring. The issues were placed in Phase Eleven of Limbo Part 6.