Spider-Man’s Worst Nightmare Just Began

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In the latest chapter of “The Amazing Spider-Man,” our hero finds himself grappling with both familiar and fresh adversaries. The raging Rhino causes chaos through the streets of Manhattan, drawing Spidey into a saga connected to his old nemesis Hobgoblin, who teams up with the menacing Hellgate. This intricate plot leads our friendly neighborhood superhero straight into a trap that exposes him to a potent hallucinogen in “The Amazing Spider-Man” issue #2. Despite being mentally unstable, Spider-Man persists with his investigation, an action that surprisingly guides him to the least ideal destination for someone experiencing a psychedelic journey — the Ravencroft Institute. This establishment plays a significant role within the Marvel Universe, much like Arkham Asylum in DC Comics.

Although Ravencroft isn’t as famous as Arkham Asylum, it plays a crucial role in the lore of Spider-Man and many other characters within the Marvel universe. In fact, Marvel has frequently borrowed concepts from Arkham’s past to ensure that Ravencroft maintains its distinctive atmosphere. If imitation is the purest form of flattery, then Ravencroft can be seen as a tribute to Arkham Asylum, and Spider-Man might have made a serious error seeking answers there.

Ravencroft Has a Twisted History

The Ravencroft Institute, initially introduced in Marvel Preview #21 from the 1980s, has had its origin expanded upon numerous times throughout its history. In the 15th century, the site of the institute was inhabited by a cannibal cult that revered Knull, the symbiote deity, who cursed the land. The cult terrorized anyone who dared to enter their territory but were eventually driven out by settlers in the 17th century. The first holding cell on the land was built during this time, housing Cortland Kasady, an ancestor of Carnage, who had been driven mad by the cult. Escaping from confinement, Cortland went on to murder his wife Molly Ravencroft.

The land later became a battleground in the Revolutionary War, where it saw the demise of Steven Rogers, the forefather of Captain America. The 19th century was marked by significant events such as the rise of a Shuma Gorath cult, a visit from the Headless Horseman (a manifestation of Ghost Rider’s Spirit of Vengeance), an invasion of Tyrannoids, and a Skrull plot to replace Teddy Roosevelt. Towards the end of the 19th century, Dr. Jonas Ravencroft, a descendant of Molly, founded a maximum-security mental institution on the land, leading to the establishment of the Ravencroft Institute.

It’s no secret that Ravencroft, with its questionable hires like Nathaniel Essex, alias Mister Sinister, and Claudia Russell, the forerunner of Werewolf by Night, was bound to face turbulence. Wolverine, once mistakenly identified as the “Knickerbocker Killer”, was incarcerated there. There, he encountered an orderly named Victor Creed, now known as Sabretooth. Russell underwent a transformation into a werewolf within its walls, though Essex claimed she departed, when in reality, he dissected her. Strange events became the norm at Ravencroft, with residents such as Cyber, Al Capone, Loki, the Master of the World (a future adversary of Alpha Flight and ruler of Weirdworld, originally a caveman named Eshu), and the Skin Walker calling it home. The organization Weapon Plus conducted experiments on vampires there, resulting in a community of bloodsuckers taking up residence. It was also the cradle of Cletus Kasady, who would later become Carnage. In the present day, Dr. Ashley Kafka took charge, attempting to alleviate the multifarious problems of a transformed individual known as Vermin. Since then, it has served as a sanctuary for numerous villainous lunatics, and has been demolished and reconstructed on multiple occasions.

Ravencroft Is a Place of Ill Omen

In The Amazing Spider-Man issue 1, Rhino’s violent outburst resulted in his confinement at Ravencroft for further examination, as he had been functioning admirably for such a long time before snapping. Inspired by Norman Osborn’s guidance and the knowledge of the substance that triggered his hallucinations, Spider-Man decides to investigate Rhino at the Institute, hoping to discover more about the chemical that might have been in his apartment. Predictably, things take a turn for the worse, with Rhino becoming Itsy Bitsy’s target – this being a superhero comic and given the volatile nature of Ravencroft Institute.

In the realm where I dwell as an ardent admirer, Ravencroft’s surroundings have borne witness to events that have left it tainted. From the cults of ancient deities like Knull and Shuma Gorath, to werewolves, and a vampire clan spawned from Dracula, Ravencroft has been a sanctuary for some of the darkest entities conceivable. It seems as if only the sinister finds its way to Ravencroft; peace and tranquility have never truly graced its halls.

The Amazing Spider-Man #2 is on sale now.

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2025-04-25 20:10