Spider-Man may be one of the more positive heroes in Marvel Comics, but that doesn't mean that he hasn't appeared in his fair share of brutal storylines. In fact, when pushed too far, even the happy-go-lucky Amazing Spider-Man can be quite a dangerous opponent himself, as he has proven several times in his decades-long history.
Whether taking place on Earth-616 or a stray strand in the vast multiverse, there are multiple moments in Spider-Man's comic history that are particularly brutal, proving that the web-slinging hero isn't always as family-friendly as he seems.
10 The Death Of Jean DeWolff
Spider-Man is defined by his tragic experiences and there are few more tragic than losing a friend. Spectacular Spider-Man #107-110 featured the story arc entitled "The Death of Jean DeWolff," which saw the eponymous police captain and ally to Spider-Man murdered by the mysterious Sin-Eater.
"The Death of Jean DeWolff" is remarkably violent for a Spider-Man comic, as the Sin-Eater claims multiple victims in his ritualistic killing spree. Even Spider-Man himself is caught up in the violence upon apprehending the Sin-Eater, beating him within an inch of his life until Daredevil intervenes.
9 Renew Your Vows
Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows takes place in an alternate universe wherein Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson are still married, raising a young daughter named Annie who also has spider powers. While the series itself is not any more brutal than the typical Spider-Man story, certain issues take dark turns.
Peter Parker shows just how terrifying he can be when someone threatens his family. When Venom threatens Annie, Peter goes all-out, seemingly killing the supervillain by dropping an entire burning building on top of him. Willing to do whatever it takes to save his daughter, Spider-Man proves that the most dangerous thing any villain could do is threaten his family.
8 Maximum Carnage
Carnage is one of Marvel's most ruthless villains, especially in major storylines like "Maximum Carnage." This 1993 storyline, which ran through all of Spider-Man's active titles at the time, followed Carnage and his league of allies as they went on a killing spree throughout New York City.
While most Spider-Man stories involve the web-slinging hero managing to save any innocent bystanders, this is not the case for "Maximum Carnage." Carnage and his compatriots rack up a remarkably high body count, leading Spider-Man to even contemplate killing Carnage in the event's epic finale.
7 Reign
Spider-Man: Reign is a 2006 limited series that takes place in an alternate reality from the Marvel Universe. The story takes place decades after Spider-Man's retirement, featuring an older and more jaded Peter Parker who once more dons the suit in order to bring justice to New York City once and for all.
This alternate-universe Spider-Man story is as brutal as they come, showing who its eponymous character might become if he ever lost all the people he loved. This Spider-Man keeps a comatose Kingpin in his own home and even blows up the Sinister Six, killing them.
6 Spider's Shadow
One of the darkest times in Peter Parker's life was when he was unknowingly being controlled by the Venom symbiote, which he later rejected. However, Spider-Man: Spider's Shadow asks what could have happened if Peter and the symbiote fully bonded, turning Spider-Man into Venom. The results are predictably some of the darkest material in Spider-Man's comic history.
As Venom, Peter Parker tallies a massive body count, killing several of his longtime enemies in shockingly violent and brutal ways. He suffocates the Scorpion with the Venom symbiote, crushes the Hobgoblin's skull, and even leaves Wilson Fisk crippled. As Venom, Peter Parker instituted a reign of terror over New York City that made him into the very thing he had sworn to destroy.
5 Back In Black
As the name suggests, the "Back in Black" storyline, found in The Amazing Spider-Man #539-543, features a return to Spider-Man's old black costume and a hard tonal shift from the character's happy-go-lucky attitude. After learning that Kingpin had been behind the assassination attempt that left Aunt May dying, Spider-Man takes matters into his own hands to deal with his longtime enemy.
Completely devoid of his usual humor, Spider-Man publicly beats and humiliates Kingpin, showcasing the enormous strength that he almost always holds back when facing a less powerful enemy. Spider-Man even threatens to kill Kingpin if he ever raises a finger against the Parker family again--which he makes good on in an alternate universe explored in Marvel's What If...? title.
4 The Other
As a part of the controversial "Spider-Totem" arc, "The Other" features the bloodiest battle ever witnessed between Spider-Man and the Inheritor known as Morlun. In this 2005 storyline, Morlun tracks Spider-Man down and battles him, horrifically killing the superhero in front of his wife, Mary Jane Watson.
Not only does Morlun kill Spider-Man in this arc, but he does so in a truly gruesome way, leaving Peter Parker's body bloody, bruised, and even missing an eye. Although the mystical powers of the "other" resurrect Peter in the following issues, his mangled body laying at Morlun's feet will always be a difficult image for readers to forget.
3 Kraven's Last Hunt
"Kraven's Last Hunt," which ran through all of Spider-Man's 1987 titles, is considered to be one of the darkest Marvel Stories ever, delving deeper into Kraven the Hunter's warped psyche than ever before. After numerous defeats at Spider-Man's hands, Kraven finally emerges victorious, seemingly killing his archenemy and taking his place.
This storyline is filled with horrific imagery, including one panel in which Kraven feasts on live spiders, Spider-Man emerging from the grave after being buried alive for two full weeks, and the disgusting cannibalism of the creature known as Vermin. "Kraven's Last Hunt" is truly a brutal departure from the typical jovial tone of other Spider-Man stories.
2 Grim Hunt
Decades after the success of "Kraven's Last Hunt," Marvel brought the villainous hunter back with the help of the other members of the Kravinoff family. Together, the Kravinoffs engage in yet another hunt, viciously killing any spider-powered heroes in the storyline known as "Grim Hunt," which comprised Amazing Spider-Man #634-637.
Like "Kraven's Last Hunt," "Grim Hunt" is considerably more brutal than other Spider-Man stories, even pushing its main hero to become more violent than ever before. At one point, Spider-Man even uses his adhesive fingers to rip the face off a member of the Kravinoff family in revenge for the murder of his clone, Kaine.
1 Superior Spider-Man
When Doctor Octopus hijacked Peter Parker's brain and replaced the hero's consciousness with his own, Spider-Man changed drastically. As the Superior Spider-Man, Otto Octavius took on a more heroic role, but quickly proved that his methods were far more extreme than Peter Parker's ever were.
While it can be argued that the Superior Spider-Man was a more effective hero, there is no denying that he was also far more brutal. Not only was he open to blackmailing authorities, illegal imprisonment, and personal surveillance, but Otto also killed several of Spider-Man's enemies and maimed others, even ripping the Scorpion's jaw off with one punch. The Superior Spider-Man truly proved himself to be one of the most brutal versions of Spider-Man ever written.