18/10/2026
Max Maxus Reviews...Midnight Spider-Man
Marvel is back in the game?
Since DC released the bombshell that is Absolute Batman in 2024 they’ve truly been leading the comic book industry, not just in sales but also in critical reception. The birth of the Absolute titles seemed to come as competition to Marvel’s newly rebooted Ultimate universe which was; with titles such as Ultimate Spider-Man and Ultimate X-Men doing really well, however I don’t think many predicted DC’s Absolute universe wouldn’t just compete against the Ultimate universe but actually stomp it out, with an announcement that Marvel was suddenly cancelling all the titles after their big climax event “Ultimate Endgame”. I bring all of this up because as of recently Marvel has launched a new universe named “Midnight”!
It seems to most (myself included) that these new Midnight titles are here to compete with DC’s Absolute after the failure of the Ultimate line, but the question is, does it stand a chance?
Firstly what even is a Marvel Midnight comic? Midnight is a clean slate for Marvel. This is a universe filled with corruption, manipulation and monsters whilst lacking the colourful superheroes we know and love. Like Absolute, Marvel is retelling the iconic origin stories of our favourite characters but this time with a horror twist. Midnight Spider-Man (the series this post is talking about) plays with the idea that with great power comes great corruption. Here Peter Parker is a brainy student with a good heart, who happens to take great interest in the corruption and ill dealings of mega companies such as Oscorp or Hammer. Through his online persona, Peter aims to investigate and ultimately expose these terrible companies, however he’s given an ultimatum when Oscorp gives him an offer he can’t refuse.
In honesty not a lot happens in this first issue, and I found that to be a great thing, because what this issue achieves is an excellent building of tension and drama. It focuses on introducing this twisted world and the characters that inhabit it whilst giving us glimpses of the horrors Peter may discover.
Overall the success of this first issue speaks for itself. It’s sold out pretty much everywhere and its market value has already shot up. You could call it a copy of the absolute universe but I feel that would be a major disservice. What I believe began as an attempt to match the absolute universe, has actually been able to establish itself as something unique and truly exciting!