Spider vs. Venom: A breakdown of the newest Spider-Verse comic series

Written by T Canchola

Warning: Spoilers for the first edition of Web of Spider-Verse and Web of Venom-Verse

Immediately after the release of Across the Spider-Verse (2023), Spider-Man hype was booming. People were enraptured with the prospect of Spider-Man variants of all kinds. Unfortunately, the excitement dwindled after the movie turned a year old. However, now there is a chance at that same love coming back for the Spider-Man franchise in the newest comic series released by Marvel: Web of Spider-Verse and Web of Venom-Verse.

Released in March of 2025, the first edition of Web of Spider-Verse, titled “New Blood,” sets up a plot that is hard to be disappointed by. Meant as a sort of sequel to Edge of Spider-Verse, it continues to follow variants of Spiders in different universes, showcasing their stories. However, something sinister is in store for these variants and the Spider-Verse as a whole.

In the first few pages, an ominous narrator self-described as the Web Heart (it's a literal heart), which sits at the center of the Web of Life and Destiny, tells of a prophecy of sorts. (If you don’t know the Web of Life and Destiny is, it’s the web of stories, events, and actions that connects the lives of every Spider in the multiverse. Without it, Spiders would cease to exist).

The prophecy predicts a fallout amongst Spiders and an ambiguously named force (what we can assume to be the Venoms), which the Web Heart seeks to prevent. To do this, the Heart must win a battle with 7 Spider variants against 7 equally strong Venom variants.

At this point in time, the Heart has already chosen 6 Spiders. Now it must choose one more, so it spreads across the multiverse in search of an extraordinary candidate, which is what this edition covers.

“Web Heart,” written by Mat Groom, illustrated by Luciano Vecchino and Rachelle Rosenberg for colors.

In this edition, we get to see the stories of 3 new Spider-Men: Spider-Hulk (self explanatory), Count Parker (a gothic Peter Parker plaguing a city in the 80’s), and Spider-Prowler (with a compelling twist on Miles Morales’ origin story). Each story is unique and pulls you in with its spectacular art, writing, and atmosphere. At the end of the edition, The Web Heart selects the last piece to win the upcoming war. I won’t give away too much, especially who is chosen to be the final fighter, so you’ll have to read it for yourself!

Now, moving into the Web of Venom-Verse, named “Fresh Brains,” which was released in April of 2025, is equally as exciting as it is beautiful. This issue follows something called the” Hive Mind,” which is the sentient nexus of the Symbiote variants, and its impending battle with the Spider counterparts. This editions shows the stories of three Venoms: Venomouse (literally a mouse with a symbiote), Venomizer (an alternate universe where Katie Power A.K.A “Energizer” is fused with a lone-wolf symbiote), and the classic Eddie Brock and Venom pairing with dramatic flair that is sure to interest readers.

At its end, The Hive Mind must choose one of the three to be the last fighter in an effort to save the existence of Symbiotes across the multiverse. The comic ends with a final exchange between the Hive Mind and Web Heart, an ominous last line that reads: “At long last..we can finally begin.” Again, you’ll have to read it for yourself to find out what happens, but I guarantee it will not disappoint!

“Venomouse,” written by Erica Shultz, art by Dylan Burnett, colors by Jim Campbell, and lettered by Travis Lanham.

The next edition to follow the arachnid war is labeled Spider-verse vs. Venomverse, which was just released on May 14, 2025! So go check out the series if you haven't!