In this review of Spider-Man Noir #4, Spidey tangles with the mysterious figure in the diving helmet that escaped from a Nazi lab last issue, but our web-slinging hero isn’t prepared for the fallout from that fateful decision. Also, what is the sickening secret behind Hardboil’s power?
Spider-Man Noir #4
Writer: ERIK LARSEN
Artist: ANDREA BROCCARDO
Main Cover: SIMONE DI MEO
Variant Covers: ERIK LARSEN
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: January 7, 2026
This review contains spoilers
Spider-Man Noir #4 begins in the with Spidey cooling his heels in the Black Cat Club as Cyrus Goop, the Ghost-Hunter bursts in, loaded for bear with powered gauntlets, ranting about and offering assurances about his ability to deal with unseen ghosts in the bar. Spidey cuts his break short and leaps into action as Goop terrorizes patrons with his energy gauntlets. Spidey clobbers Goop and checks out the mad scientist’s high-tech specs, and confirms that the ghosts are indeed real.
Back at his office, private eye Peter Parker goes around in circles with Gwen Stacy again concerning Spider-Man’s secret identity. Later, Aunt May calls and reminds her nephew about the menace in the diving helmet so Peter reluctantly goes on the prowl. He eventually locates the individual who puts up a fight, clobbering Spidey and chucking him several floors up onto a nearby rooftop.
Peter awakens later in a strange living room, having been dragged into an apartment by a kind stranger. Peter thanks the man’s grown daughter and leaves, still feeling weak as he webs across the city. He shares dinner with a suspicious Aunt May, as Mary Jane confronts Peter and Aunt May clobbers him with a vase. Across town, Spider-Man brutally slays a number of armed gangsters.
Peter admits that his powers are now gone, while attempting to piece together what happened as a wary May and Mary Jane look on. A news bulletin on the radio clears Peter when it describes the recent gangland massacre. Cut to Hardboil’s hideout as the gang boss is also attacked by “Spider-Man”. A new Hardboil is born in shocking fashion.
Spider-Man Noir #4 ends as Peter shows up at Gwen Stacy’s home, telling her about “Spider-Man’s” war on gangsters and warning that she might be next. As if in answer, off panel, a loud noise can be heard as well as a garbled voice calling out Gwen’s name.
Analysis
Whew, Spider-Man Noir #4 doesn’t ease up on the tension, as Peter gets in over his head yet again. Thankfully, the “I want Spider-Man’s secret identity” subplot is shortened as Peter needs to be reminded of his obligations as a crimefighter. The mysterious figure in the diving helmet is likely George Stacy, who was previously killed by Spider-Man and has been reanimated with the ability to siphon the life force (and super powers) of whoever he makes contact with.
Writer Erik Larsen has some fun with the Cyrus Goop opening sequence, and there is plenty of action in Spider-Man Noir #4, but some of the hard-boiled noir dialogue and narration continue to feel forced. The plot works though, adding tension even if some is chalked up to coincidence (or page count). Peter’s instincts were right about the figure (Stacy) coming to visit Gwen, but he fumbled on the rationale.
Aunt May and Mary Jane get less focus this time around, but enough to flip the script on them knowing Peter’s secret identity, as the pair now believe that he has gone berserk. A few plot holes might be for plot simplicity as the unmasked Peter is cared for by the unnamed stranger, but is later shown wearing one as he zips across town (maybe he had a spare in his trench coat).
Peter is noble and big hearted dope, and his sense of responsibility finally kicks in as he decides to protect Gwen against a deadly menace, despite having no weapons or powers. The power draining is not clearly explained, but due to Peter’s enhanced body chemistry, the transfer might continue after contact is broken.
Artist Andrea Broccardo is back, populating the pages with dynamic action and stunning details that extend to non-humans (the cockroach close-up, the cute little barking dog and Aunt May’s cat Bootsie). The “Spider-Man” rampage is rendered in both terrifying silhouette, and full tilt brutality, as the imposter spills blood, breaks bones and drains life force in full view in a jump cut multi-panel sequence.
Meanwhile, the secret of Hardboil’s “growth” is revealed to be a sentient life form that finds a new host (and a new Hardboil) in horrific fashion, although off screen. A question arises though, in issue #1, as Spidey rammed his fist through the growth, releasing a pus like substance. Was that a hiccup or a larval stage for this lifeform (can you say “symbiote”?)
Final Thoughts
Spider-Man Noir #4 breaks out of its previous doldrums with an above average effort, featuring solid tension, humor and body horror, as Peter finds himself out of his depth against new and unexpected adversary. Andrea Broccardo elevates the production values with plenty of gorgeous widescreen action.
