Regarded as one of Spider-Man’s definitive artists, Todd McFarlane helped reinvent the character with his interior and cover art on issues #298-328 of Amazing Spider-Man. Drawing Spider-Man with his hyper-detailed style gave the character a more visceral and gothic feel. This dynamic especially came through with the villains Spidey encountered throughout the run, including the likes of Venom, Green Goblin, and Mysterio - all of which came to life in a way not previously seen, through McFarlane’s art.
Yet, it wasn’t until the singularly titled Spider-Man that McFarlane started writing him as well. In the first arc of the series, Spider-Man faces Doctor Curt Connors, aka, the Lizard, and the mysterious voodoo witch, Calypso. Spider-Man and the Lizard have had numerous confrontations in the past, but this one was different. Something was very wrong, and Spider-man was so unprepared that it nearly cost him his life.
Spider-Man Had Grown Too Comfortable in “Torment”
A common theme throughout Peter Parker’s life is his bad luck, or the “Parker luck”, as he sometimes refers to it. He’s always working hard for himself and to help others, never complaining, yet somehow always struggling. However, “Torment” presents a refreshed Peter Parker, as his relationship with Mary Jane is rock solid, he’s finally financially stable, and as a superhero, he views himself as at the top of his game. But Peter has taken this new level of comfort and become complacent. Crime fighting has become a bit too familiar for Peter Parker and has led to a level of overconfidence uncharacteristic of his usual on-guard and appreciative attitude toward his responsibilities as Spider-Man.
Armed with a sort of smugness and a lack of urgency in his swing, Peter goes out on patrol and is suddenly hit with disorientation as his spider-sense malfunctions. Out of nowhere, he’s blindsided by the Lizard. As a former student of Doctor Curt Connors, Peter’s usual approach to his alter ego is to talk him down. This was because until now, murder was never the Lizard’s M.O. But something is terribly wrong with Connors this time. In fact, Curt Connors is all but absent from this iteration of the Lizard. He is completely feral and consumed with a thirst for blood like never before.
Spider-Man Faced a More Feral Lizard in “Torment”
Using the Lizard as her own form of monster, a mysterious evil priestess has forced the creature into a murderous frenzy, leaving a trail of death on the city streets. Eventually, it’s revealed that Connors is being controlled by the voodoo witch, Calypso. As Spider-Man struggles to understand why Connors is behaving this way and who is actually behind the Lizard’s actions, it’s the crushing weight of the unknown that haunts Peter the most. Until now, Parker felt untouchable, taking for granted what was and wasn’t under his control. This leads to the reoccurring theme in “Torment” with the idea of rising above.
The tall skyscrapers of New York City are a character themselves, as Spider-Man swings far above the bustle of the crowded streets below. Parker is no longer part of that world, however, what he’s risen to with his new comfortable life has made him blind to unfamiliar threats. Now, Peter is face-to-face with a foe that represents the familiarity of his past life, with a different villainous intent. He's forced to realize that nothing is actually in his control. He is unable to disarm the situation with Connors as he’s used to, but he is struggling with the use of his own spider-sense, and he is facing a new foe that is using his past against him. Through it all, his focus is pulled in a different direction with the urge to just be at home with MJ, comfortable and safe. This forces Peter to reconnect with the roots of what he feels he’s risen above, and use that to survive the torment of this new threat.