WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for Amazing Spider-Man #77, on sale now from Marvel Comics.
Since reclaiming the mantle of Spider-Man from the recently comatose Peter Parker, Ben Reilly has already been put through the proverbial wringer in his second stint as the iconic superhero. Instead of going solo, Ben is now backed by the mysterious Beyond Corporation, with the company now holding the legal license on the Spider-Man mantle. Boasting a significantly upgraded superhero costume, Ben is back in action and more prepared than ever to defend the Marvel Universe as Spider-Man once more. But one longtime Spidey frenemy, who's slated to debut on the big screen next year, has Ben directly in his bloodthirsty sights as Morbius, the Living Vampire is back to his monstrous ways.
As Ben continues to acclimate back in the iconic superhero alter ego, he is transported by the Beyond Corporation when several scientists are evidently preyed upon by Morbius. Discovering that the scientists have indeed been fatally drained of blood by the tortured vampire, Ben attempts to maintain his composure facing off against the veteran antihero. But as this nocturnal showdown between Spidey and Morbius unfolds in Amazing Spider-Man #77 -- by Kelly Thompson, Sara Pichelli, Nolan Woodard and VC's Joe Caramagna -- it quickly becomes clear that Morbius no longer has his usual bloodlust under control as he gets the drop on Ben and sinks his sharp fangs right into the web-slinger's throat.
Ever since Michael Morbius took that experimental serum in a desperate effort to cure himself of his terminal blood condition, he has wrestled with the resulting vampirism that overtook his life as his body was transformed. Since then, Morbius has toed the line between hero and villain, often putting him in direct conflict with Spider-Man and other Marvel superheroes, while searching for a way to cure himself of his living curse. Recently, Morbius defended the streets of Brooklyn as its new resident superhero while continuing to search for ways to rewrite his own genetics and free himself of his bloodlust, apparently to little success.
For what's it worth, Morbius at least appears to be apologetic for feeding on Spider-Man and Morbius' fangs are never quite shown actually puncturing Ben's neck, although an ominous sound effect occurs as Morbius bears down on Ben's vulnerable throat. And with the vampiric confrontation taking place at an undisclosed location in Midtown Manhattan, it is unclear why Morbius is out of his usual Brooklyn stomping grounds to target scientists when Ben first arrives on the grim scene. And with Ben's crimefighting partner Doctor Ashley Kafka already having to heal Ben before, the good doctor may quickly find herself scrambling to get Spider-Man back in fighting shape as Ben is caught in the maws of a Living Vampire.
With Morbius poised to take the big screen next year, the Living Vampire is about to potentially become a household name, with his descent back as a tortured figure likely matching how his live-action portrayal will depict the character. But for all the advanced tricks of the trade that Ben received from the Beyond Corporation to reclaim the Spider-Man mantle, Ben still finds himself outmaneuvered and completely caught off-guard when faced with the wallcrawler's most bloodthirsty associate. And while solicits teasing Ben surviving to fight another day, he has just received a major, monstrous scare just in time for Halloween.