The Marvel Cinematic Universe is ready to adaptSpider-Man’sbest story arc. With the MCU bringing theHometrilogy to a close,Sony has announced the titleforthe webhead’s fourth movie in the MCU franchise, set to be calledSpider-Man: Brand New Day.
“Brand New Day” was an 18-issue comic arc that lasted fromThe Amazing Spider-Man#546 to #564. In order to save Aunt May’s life, MJ and Peter made a deal to remove their marriage from history - a way for Marvel to effectively relaunch the franchise with a new status quo. Because the MCU left Spidey in a similar position, “Brand New Day” may truly be theperfect blueprint for Spider-Man’s next trilogyin the movies, and some comic momentsneedto be adapted as part of that.
In the comics, “Brand New Day” takes place in the aftermath ofCivil War, making Spider-Man a wanted man and sending several of his allies underground. As in the MCU, Doctor Strange has also made it so almost no-one remembers Spider-Man’s true identity.
10Mister Negative Attacks
The Amazing Spider-Man #546 by Dan Slott, Steve McNiven, Dexter Vines, Morry Hollowell and Cory Petit
It may surprise some fans thatMister Negative only debuted in Spider-Man’s “Brand New Day"comics arc - one of the long-lasting triumphs of the era. In the arc’s very first issue, the gang leader supervillain establishes exactly how menacing and murderous he can be. Those who have played theMarvel’s Spider-ManandMarvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Moralesvideo games for the PlayStation are familiar with Mister Negative as one of the game series' lead antagonists.
It isn’t until a couple of issues later that it’s revealed that Peter’s new role modelMartin Li and Mister Negativeare one and the same, with Negative possessing immense super-strength and the ability to corrupt others - something that strikes close to home when he turns Peter’s Aunt May into a huge jerk, right when he needs support.
In the comics, Martin Li runs the F.E.A.S.T. shelter where Aunt May volunteers - an organization already shown inSpider-Man: No Way Home.
9Debut of the Spider-Mugger
The Amazing Spider-Man #548 by Dan Slott, Steve McNiven, Dexter Vines, Dave Stewart and Cory Petit
The first pages of the first issue of the “Brand New Day” arc begin not with Spider-Man, but with a thief wearing a Spider-Man mask while holding someone up at gunpoint. The character is later dubbed the Spider-Mugger in the press, leading to rumors that Spider-Man has turned villain after the events ofCivil War. The bad publicity is one of the contributing factors to Peter picking up the Spider-Man costume again despite the government hunting down illegal heroes.This kind of shocking event would be ideal for the MCU, which could explain that Peter took some time away from the costume between movies.
Opening the series on a gun-toting Spider-Man makes for an interesting subversion of everything fans expect.The Spider-Mugger even has Peter’s web shooters after mugging the heroin his civilian guise, forcing the Wall-Crawler to fight crime at a major disadvantage.
This would be an effective way to give Zendaya a new role in the series now that she no longer remembers who Peter is.
8Spider-Man Meets Jackpot
The Amazing Spider-Man #549 by Marc Guggenheim, Salvador Larroca, Jason Keith and Cory Petit
When Spider-Man ends up wrongly suspected of murder, it puts the webslinger in the sights of Jackpot, New York’s new pro-Registration hero. With Jackpot being a redhead, there’s a mystery surrounding whether MJ is under the mask, something that even Pete starts to speculate on. While this Jackpot is Alana Jobson,MJ would later become Jackpot, but only more than a decade after “Brand New Day” -something the movies could do immediately to give Zendaya a continued place in the series, now that she no longer recognizes Peter.
Even if it doesn’t happen to be the MCU’s Michelle Jones, introducing Jackpot would helpexpand Spider-Man’s superhero network. Save for brief appearances from Iron Man and crossovers with his variants, the MCU’s Peter never has casual team-ups with other street heroes. If Spider-Man is getting a whole new trilogy, then giving him some superhero allies outside the Avengers is a must.
If the MCU wants a completely new villain that no form of media has adapted, Menace is the ideal pick.
7The Introduction of Menace
The Amazing Spider-Man #550 by Marc Guggenheim, Salvador Larroca, Stephanie Peru and Cory Petit
InThe Amazing Spider-Man#549, a composite sketch from the New York Police Department hints at a new version of the Green Goblin. The new head of the Daily Bugle, Dexter Bennett, officially coinsNYC’s new monster as Menace. Menace has a particular hatred for district attorney William Hollister, who is running for mayor, dragging Spider-Man into New York politics.
The series hints that Menace is Peter’s best friend Harry Osborn, back to his old villainous ways, and makes the villain’s identity a running mystery with plenty of clues - something that works great alongside giving Peter Parker a new social circle.If the MCU wants a completely new villain that no form of media has adapted, Menace is the ideal pick, especially because of the potential to bring Peter’s personal life into the mix.
6New Web Tricks Like the Web Wall
The Amazing Spider-Man #552 by Bob Gale, Phil Jimenez, Andy Lanning, Jeromy Cox and Cory Petit
This issue introduces a homeless resident of F.E.A.S.T. nicknamed Freak. When he steals a box of donation money, Spider-Man gives chase. After reclaiming his web-shooters from the Spider-Mugger, he’s finally back to peak performance, and nowwith a tech upgrade,Spider-Man debuts new tricks up his sleeve(literally) including the Web Wall, constructing a trap for Freak to run into.
In the comics,Spider-Man has lots of uses for his webbing, from packing it hard as a projectile weapon to electrifying it. Of course, these modifications depend what resources Peter has to work with.
It’s rare to see Spider-Man upgrade his webbing and tactics in the movies.If Sony wants to get creative with how Spidey uses his webs beyond the usual, then showcasing never-before-seen maneuvers onscreen like the Web Wall is a must.
5The Body Horror of Freak
The Amazing Spider-Man #553 by Bob Gale, Phil Jimenez, Andy Lanning, Jeromy Cox and Joe Caramagna
As Freak tries his best to evade capture from the police and Spider-Man, he ends up in an abandoned lab left behind by Spider-Man’s recurring enemy the Lizard. Ingesting the Lizard’s chemicals causes Freak to mutate into a grotesque monstrosity. The end result is something closer to aDavid Cronenberg horror movie than traditionalSpider-Man.
Freak’s powers are adaptive, allowing the villain to change his physiology to remove any weakness, meaning Spider-Man can never beat him the same way twice. Trying to adapt Freak for the big screen would directly turnBrand New Dayintosomething out of a horror movie. While not untapped territory for the comics, it would be something entirely new for Spidey movies.
4Spider-Man and J. Jonah Jameson Get Closer
The Amazing Spider-Man #554 by Bob Gale, Phil Jimenez, Andy Lanning, Danny Miki, Jeromy Cox, and Cory Petit
InThe Amazing Spider-Man#546, Peter finally stands up for himself when JJJ owes him money, but the effort inspires a heart attack for ol' Flat-Top. The story occasionally checks in on Jonah during his recovery process, but #554 marks the first time that Peter decides to visit his old boss, in full superhero costume no less.Spider-Man and his forgotten rivalreach a temporary truce, but learning his wife Marla sold theDaily Buglesends JJ into another heart attack. Given the damage Jameson did to Spidey in the MCU, it would be great to give them a more complex relationship.
3Spider-Man Hangs Out With Other Superheroes
The Amazing Spider-Man #555 by Zeb Wells, Chris Bachalo, Tim Townsend, Studio F’s Antonio Fabela, and VC’s Cory Petit
Theunderrated Spider-Man supervillain Rabinplunges New York into a storm by supernatural means. Before getting to the bottom of things, Pete takes sanctuary at the Sanctum Sanctorum. While Wolverine reads the newspaper and Doctor Strange investigates the sudden snow, Spider-Man enjoys a box of off-brand Froot Loops. The trio have a low-stakes, entertaining conversation, and theMCU is sorely missing more of those. While this scene doesn’t have to take place between the exact same heroes, it perfectly captures the idea of Marvel’s living, breathing New York and its hero community - something the MCU has taken the time to establish, but has yet to actually exploit.
Few heroes share the same relationship with the people they protect like Spider-Man does, and the MCU should celebrate that.
2Being a Friendly Neighborhood Hero
The Amazing Spider-Man #556 by Zeb Wells, Chris Bachalo, Tim Townsend, Studio F’s Antonio Fabela, and VC’s Cory Petit
In another small, low-stakes moment, Spider-Man pauses his pursuit of Rabin to get warm by a fire with an unhoused man named Vern, who carries a vocal hatred for S.H.I.E.L.D. Spidey notices that Vern is wearing a jacket he lost earlier, but upon seeing how malnourished Vern is, he lets him keep it. In return, to ensure Spidey doesn’t freeze to death, Vern stuffs the superhero’s costume with newspaper. It’s a sweet moment made even sweeter in the next issue when Vern returns with a horde of unhoused allies to help Spider-Man defeat Rabin.
It’s a moment that puts the “friendly neighborhood” in “Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.” Staying true to his nickname,Spider-Man makes time for citizens at the street-level. People on the ground know who Spider-Man is, they know his kindness, and reciprocate. Few heroes share the same relationship with the people they protect like Spider-Man does.
1MJ and Spider-Man Reunite
The Amazing Spider-Man #561 by Dan Slott, Marcos Martín, Javier Rodriguez and Cory Petit
The echoes, repercussions, and consequences of Mephisto’s deal in “One More Day” are felt throughout “Brand New Day.” Disappearing from Peter’s life after the deal with Mephisto, MJ finally returns in #560, revealed to be in a relationship with Hollywood bad boy Bobby Carr. Spider-Man hits the scene when the villainess Paper Doll threatenst the couple, and in a moment on the intercom, MJ implies she still remembers “One More Day” - something confirmed in future issues.
The bittersweet irony reveals that they are apart not simply because of Mephisto’s memory-erasing deal, but becauseMJ actively distances herself from Spider-Man, realizing that Peter’s superhero identity will always come between them and happiness. Such a bittersweet revelation would be heartbreaking in the MCU, and instantly makeSpider-Man: Brand New Dayone of the franchise’s most heartwrenching movies.
