Spider-Man: Midnight Justice Review

When I was a kid superhero cartoons were at their absolute peak.
Superman, Batman, X-Men, Hulk, Fantastic Four, and Iron Man all had shows that ran, what felt like, all the time when I was little.
But one of my top 3 favorites was the Spider-Man animated series!
That series definitely locked Spidey into a battle with Superman for the top spot on the list as my favorite Superhero, a battle that still rages to this day.

This is a novel straight out of my kidhood, right around the time that the Spidey cartoon was at the height of its power.
It has been nearly 20 years since I last read it, so will it take me back in the best possible way?
Or are my nonexistent reading glasses rose colored?
With Spider-Man: No Way Home out this week I think now is as good a time as any for us to find out, Spider-Friends!

As per usual, this is the official ***SPOILER ALERT***

A record blizzard has hit New York City, but Spider-Man’s work is never done.
In fact, for once he’s actually getting some recognition for his superheroics, but not everyone is happy about the webhead getting an award, specifically Venom.
When he sees the medal ceremony on TV he hatches a plan to ruin Spider-Man’s life the same way Spidey ruined his.
But that’s not as easy as Venom hopes when the webslinger has a friend like The Human Torch on his side!

I remember reading this so many times as a yout’, but the thing that stuck with me the most is Venom and his underground hideout.
I specifically remember the scene of Eddie Brock down in his abandoned subway tunnel, working out and becoming enraged at the news report of Spider-Man winning a medal.
For me, that is the sign of good writing, burning a visual into the brain with 1 static image per chapter and a bunch of words.
Reading that whole section again was like sitting in your favorite spot, a super comfortable familiarity.

One thing I noticed upon revisiting it these Twenty odd years later is the same thing I have to clarify is not meant as a complaint or a backhanded compliment, I legitimately enjoy this aspect of the book.
The entire story almost feels like it should or could be a B-Story in a much longer novel.
But I thoroughly enjoy the simplicity and economic pace and delivery of the entire story arc.
Throwing too many problems at our hero is something that Spider-Man stories can get bogged down in sometimes, and it’s actually kind of refreshing to only have a few problems that all have the same solution for once.

The Human Torch, guest star for this book (something that appears to have been a draw for this series), is perfectly utilized.
Never does he overshadow Spider-Man, but he expands the focus of the story in a way that leads to some fun battles, great sci-fi-ness, and also gives Spidey somebody to bounce ideas off of other than his internal monologue.

Originally published in 1996, this is the first book in this series.
Sadly, this was the only one I was ever able to get.
But you can bet your ass I’m gonna be on the lookout online for the rest because, though it has a deadly serious side, this was just plain fun and it makes me desperately want more of this series.
Martin Delrio clearly knows this character and the world well and it’s just a pleasure to soak in.
Between Spider-Man: The Animated Series and books like this, it’s no wonder I loved this character as a kid and still do today.

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Special thanks to @ACFerrell1976 for her continued editorial assistance.

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And finally, given the state of the world, do what you can to leave it a little bit better than you found it.
As difficult as that may be currently, it can have an impact far greater than you know.
Until next time, stay safe out there, gang.