Spider-Man Noir Has a Wildly Different Origin Story From the Spidey You Know

Spider-Man Noir Has a Wildly Different Origin Story From the Spidey You KnowSpider-Man Noir Has a Wildly Different Origin Story From the Spidey You Know

As a seasoned comic book enthusiast, who’s been following Spidey’s web-spinning adventures since the dawn of time (or at least since the 60s), I must say that the upcoming live-action adaptation of Spider-Man Noir has my spidey-sense tingling with anticipation.


With the future of Spider-Man’s big-screen appearances uncertain, excitement builds for a small-screen adaptation featuring the beloved alternate character Spider-Man Noir from Earth 90214. This gritty, 1930’s inspired hero will be brought to life by none other than Nicolas Cage in live action. As fans catch glimpses of what this series might entail, those unfamiliar with the character should note several key differences between Spider-Man Noir and the classic version of Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, particularly in their backstories.

In contrast to the modern universe where Spider-Man resides, Spider-Man Noir is set amidst the hardships of the Great Depression, specifically in 1930s New York City. This particular Peter Parker also grows up under the care of his Aunt May and Uncle Ben, and like his counterpart, tragically loses Uncle Ben. However, the circumstances leading to this loss and the exact events differ significantly from those in the present day.

In this account of the story, Peter’s uncle, Ben, was brutally slain by The Goblin (also known as Norman Osborne), in response to Ben organizing a strike against his businesses. There’s no concrete proof, but Peter is convinced that it was Goblin who committed the crime. Driven to uncover the truth, he embarks on a quest and eventually crosses paths with The Daily Bugle’s Ben Urich, who takes him under his wing as a protégé.

The Spider-Bite

Spider-Man Noir Has a Wildly Different Origin Story From the Spidey You Know

In this tale, events unfold such that Peter obtains his abilities, yet there’s a heavy, ominous atmosphere, distinct from the usual universe. Here, Peter stumbles upon Ben in a drug-induced slumber, leading to the revelation of Ben’s addiction and an opportunity to track a shipment belonging to the Goblin. Guided by this lead, Peter proceeds to the dock, where a Spider Idol accidentally falls, causing a swarm of spiders to be released. One of these arachnids then bites Peter, bestowing him with his powers.

It’s not just any ordinary spider, as you might guess. Instead, a being with divine-like powers transforms Peter, granting him the spider abilities we’re familiar with – increased strength, speed, agility, and his signature spider-sense. He even spins webs from his wrists! With these newfound talents, Peter returns to Ben to challenge him, discovering that Ben has been compelled by Osborn to feed his drug addiction through blackmail.

Following this encounter, Peter designs his Spider-Man suit, modeled after Uncle Ben’s airman outfit, and is determined to bring down the Goblin. Regrettably, he no longer has Urich as an ally, as Urich has passed away when Peter next encounters him, leading to Peter becoming entangled in Jonah Jameson’s death. However, it becomes clear that there’s much more to this story than meets the eye.

Originally, that’s where Spider-Man Noir came from, and you can notice it keeps the essential aspects of Spider-Man, yet introduces significant alterations in a darker, grittier atmosphere. It remains to be seen how the live action movie adapts this material, but it undeniably ranks among the most intriguing Spider-Man endeavors on the horizon.

Are you looking forward to Spider-Man Noir? Feel free to chat about Marvel, comics, and more with me on Threads and Twitter at @mattaguilarcb!

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2024-10-27 00:39