The Best Spider-Man Horror Stories

As a seasoned comic book enthusiast, who’s seen more than his fair share of superhero shenanigans, I must say that these two tales from Marvel’s vast universe have left an indelible mark on my psyche. The sheer horror and psychological terror they invoke are unparalleled in the realm of comic books.

When one thinks of horror comics, Spider-Man is probably one of the last names that comes to mind. Known as the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, Peter Parker’s quick wit and relatively sunny disposition don’t sound like they’d lend themselves to horror stories. Yet the fact is, he’s starred in some of Marvel’s best horror comics.

It’s not too unexpected that these tales involving Spider-Man are somewhat unsettling. After all, it’s no hidden fact that Marvel’s writers enjoy putting our beloved wall-crawler through the wringer. Sometimes, his villains like Carnage are the ones causing the terror. Other times, Spidey himself is the source of the fright. Regardless, these stories are top-notch, so instead of evaluating them based on quality, we’ve ranked them according to their horror elements or scare factor. Naturally, fear is subjective, but hopefully, we can all concur that these Spider-Man stories carry a certain degree of eeriness.

7 Spider-Island Is A Nightmare For Arachnophobes

Amazing Spider-Man #666-673

The Best Spider-Man Horror Stories

How scary a reader finds Spider-Island will mostly hinge on how afraid of spiders they are. The kind of people who say that spiders are our friends because they eat pests won’t find too much fear here. Those who think Kill It With Fire counts as a horror game will find it terrifying. Either way, featuring one of Spider-Man’s best villains and some decent body horror, Spider-Island makes for a decent horror comic.

In this narrative, we encounter the recurrence of Spidey’s age-old adversary, Jackal. He’s unleashed a genetically modified virus that bestows spider abilities upon thousands of New Yorkers in a bizarre twist. Simultaneously, he recruits minions donning spider-themed villain costumes to wreak havoc in New York City. Initially, it appears less intimidating. However, the terror escalates as the virus mutates people into colossal spider-like creatures. This is where the chilling body horror unfolds, and some of the creature designs are unsettlingly eerie, even for those who aren’t particularly frightened by spiders. Despite being a well-crafted storyline overall, Spider-Island is ranked lowest here due to its reliance on audience’s fear of spiders (people with arachnophobia may not be the primary audience for Spider-Man comics).

6 The First Appearance Of Morbius Was A Proper Vampiric Tale

Spider-Man #101-102

Currently, Morbius is more akin to an anti-hero these days, though he initially debuted as a villain. In the year 1971, Marvel Comics took creative risks and explored new territories. Following updates to the Comics Code Authority’s guidelines, they began publishing stories featuring monsters like vampires and other supernatural entities that were previously forbidden. Though Morbius was presented as a pitiable monster in his early appearances, his initial portrayal was undeniably reminiscent of classic horror films starring vampires such as Dracula.

As a devoted comics enthusiast, I can’t help but reminisce about my first encounter with Morbius, back when he initially appeared. In that fateful introduction, I found myself amazed to see Spider-Man already sporting four extra arms, a mutation that sent shivers of body horror down my spine. Unlike the typical rogues in Spidey’s world, Morbius was a darker, more complex character. His monstrous appearance and the horrific nature of his transformation were truly chilling.

5 Kraven’s Last Hunt Is Psychological Horror Done Right

Web of Spider-Man #31-32, Amazing Spider-Man #293-294, Spectacular Spider-Man #131-132

One of the most gripping Spider-Man stories ever penned, this narrative revolves around Kraven’s relentless fixation on Spider-Man and his determination to establish his supremacy. Initially, we witness Kraven firing a rifle at Spider-Man and burying him in a tomb. Later, he adopts a black Spider-Man suit and pursues several of Spider-Man’s villains, viciously attacking and even murdering some in the process. The terror escalates when it is disclosed that Spider-Man was merely drugged, not deceased. The mere thought of him being entombed alive is enough to make anyone with claustrophobia or a fear of being buried alive break into a cold sweat. However, things only get more harrowing from then on.

In the climactic showdown between Spider-Man and Kraven, the antagonist summons Vermin, a ruthless predator who nearly defeats our friendly neighborhood hero. However, it is Kraven himself who saves Spidey from certain doom. Instead of acknowledging his mistakes, Kraven becomes convinced that he has surpassed Spider-Man in every way, leading him to commit suicide. This storyline offers a chilling glimpse into the twisted psyche of an overly zealous villain. The emotional trauma left on Spider-Man was so profound that it inspired another spine-tingling tale, “Soul of the Hunter,” which explored Peter’s post-traumatic stress disorder. Despite its more subtle horror elements, Kraven’s Last Hunt may not resonate as strongly with some readers, earning it a lower position on this list.

4 Shed Taps Into Our Primordial Fear

Amazing Spider-Man #630-633

Certain chilling tales strike a nerve with our deepest, most instinctual fears, often revolving around the feeling of being pursued by something ruthless. And that’s precisely what the storyline Shed delivers. This narrative arc finds the chronically distressed Curt Connors struggling against his reptilian persona. The comic subtly integrates psychological horror through the portrayal of the Lizard, as its actions are narrated and it seems to be consuming Connors’ mind. As the Lizard gains dominance, it becomes more cunning and lethal than ever; an intelligent, immoral slaughterer devoid of any moral compass whatsoever.

Let’s be clear, the actions of the Lizard character in this storyline are truly horrific. This story arc contains some of the most gruesome violence ever depicted in a Spider-Man comic, including the Lizard eating Connors’ son Billy, which is incredibly disturbing. The Lizard also experiences a physical transformation, growing larger and becoming even more terrifying to witness. Artist Chris Bachalo accentuates this change with sharp angles and exaggerated features, making the Lizard seem even more nightmare-inducing. For much of the arc, Spider-Man is nearly powerless against the Lizard’s immense strength. His inability to save Billy is heart-wrenching and one of the most devastating moments for our web-slinging hero. This comic is undeniably one of the darkest Spider-Man stories ever told, with only a few subsequent entries edging it out in terms of sheer terror.

3 Absolute Carnage Is Part Slasher, Part Eldritch, Part Body Horror

Absolute Carnage Event

Among many stories featuring Carnage, we chose the one where he displays his most terrifying form for this list. Known as one of Spider-Man’s most wicked adversaries, Carnage surpasses all expectations in “Absolute Carnage,” consistently demonstrating his monstrous nature.

The storyline starts when Cletus Cassidy is brought back to life and granted power by the malevolent deity of Symbiotes, Knull. Although Carnage has historically been formidable, with Knull’s backing, he becomes an imminent harbinger of doom. As a result of Knull’s intervention, Carnage assumes the role of symbiotic cult leader and gains the ability to raise the deceased and exert control over them in ways that mimic the unsettling atmosphere of eldritch horror.

His mission is to harvest the codices of everyone who has ever bonded with a symbiote. These reside in people’s spines, and Carnage isn’t exactly careful when removing them. The violence is visceral, and there’s a certain degree of shock value in seeing long-time heroes and villains, as well as civilians, being eviscerated by Carnage and his drones. If this wasn’t enough, there are also heavy servings of body horror. Carnage himself is unnerving to behold, sporting elongated limbs and an almost corpse-like appearance. Characters overtaken by Carnage’s symbiotes also undergo some disgusting transformations. Miles Morales, in particular, is transformed into a disturbing spider/human symbiote hybrid. Once again, the artwork, this time by Ryan Stegman, does an awesome job of emphasizing the horror elements of the story. All this horror is topped off by a pervading sense of dread. As terrible as Carnage is, there’s the feeling that something even more dangerous, Knull the cosmic horror, is waiting in the wings.

2 Marvel Zombies Does Exactly What It Says On The Tin

Marvel Zombies: Dead Days Vol 1 #1

Some enthusiasts of comics are fond of the Marvel Zombies, while others view it as outdated. Regardless of personal feelings towards zombies, it’s hard to argue that the initial issue of Marvel Zombies: Dead Days doesn’t deliver a bone-chilling horror tale. Witnessing a character as likable and cheerful as Peter Parker getting bitten by the zombie virus is unsettling, but what transpires when he returns home is downright terrifying.

In this scenario, after getting bitten, Spidey rushes back home to alert MJ and Aunt May about the situation. Regrettably, just at the most inopportune moment, the virus takes control, causing him to attack and consume his dearest companions, MJ and May. The most distressing aspect is that Peter Parker, due to his regenerative abilities, remains conscious as his zombified body attacks MJ and May. This scene creates a chilling effect, with hints of being trapped within one’s own mind added to intensify the psychological terror. However, Marvel pushed things too far, and by the time Zombie Spider-Man gained the Power Cosmic, making him one of the most potent Spider-Men, any semblance of horror had faded away. Initially, though, Marvel Zombies was an exceptional horror comic.

1 I Walked With A Spider Combines Spider-Man And Norman Bates

Edge Of The Spider-Verse #4

I Walked With A Spider revolves around the concept of flipping every element of the conventional Spider-Man origin story upside down. This narrative is set within the realm of the Spider-Verse, featuring an alternate Peter Parker named Patton Parnel. Unlike the endearing original Peter, Parnel is more akin to a mischievous teenager, who enjoys tormenting ants with a magnifying glass and spying on his neighbor as she changes. Far from aspiring to be a hero, his mind is filled with less altruistic desires after being bitten by a radioactive spider.

Like Peter, Patton quickly discovers he’s developed spider-powers. Unlike Peter, he also developed a hunger for animals and people. Rather than fight this change, Patton embraces it, even shedding his skin to transform into a horrifying spider-like creature. He then goes about killing and eating those who have wronged him, including the school bully and his abusive Uncle Ted. Of course, being a spider, the feeding process isn’t quick. Being a total creep, he also kidnaps his crush, Sara, and bites her neck. Before he can eat her, he’s stopped and killed by Morlun, but that’s not the end of the horror. The issue ends with poor Sara looking in the mirror and checking her bite, only to find hundreds of baby spiders creeping from the wound. I Walked With A Spider is pure horror from beginning to end, and one of the best what-if-style Spider-Man stories. Its final panel is sure to make even those with the strongest stomachs squirm.

2024-09-29 20:04