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In the final issue of Spider-Man: Spider’s Shadow, one of Marvel’s most iconic superheroes meets a tragic and unexpected fate.
WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Spider-Man: Spider’s Shadow #5, available now from Marvel Comics.
The latest incarnation of Marvel’s long-running What If…? comic book series has turned Peter Parker’s life into a horror story. Instead of shedding his symbiote suit after learning its alien nature, Peter chose to embrace the living darkness until it pushed him over the edge. Spider-Man might be back to his old self once more, but the Venom symbiote has found an even more capable host in the form of Reed Richard.
And to make matters worse, the symbiote decided that Mister Fantastic is too valuable to let live when it’s time for them to part ways in Spider-Man: Spider’s Shadow #5 by Chip Zdarsky, Pasqual Ferry, Matt Hollingsworth, and VC’s Joe Sabino.
Since the symbiote bonded to Reed, it has used his incredible intellect to breed itself an army of similarly powerful symbiotes who quickly overtook Marvel’s collected heroes. Thankfully the trio of Peter, Mary Jane and Johnny Storm have already made their way into the Baxter Building for a confrontation with the monstrous Reed, although the odds are not in their favor. Johnny and Mary Jane are able to make a hasty getaway, leading Reed after them while Peter scours the labs for anything that could help them. There isn’t anything that the Venom symbiote wants more than to reunite with its original host, but unfortunately, it knows all too well just how great of a threat Reed Richards poses. To this end, the symbiote makes the choice to tragically end Mister Fantastic’s life as it leaves its latest host.
In an instant, Venom drives its jagged tendrils through Reed’s chest before pursuing Spider-Man as Reed falls lifeless to the ground. It’s a harrowing sight to behold, and quite possibly the most tragic demise that Mister Fantastic has suffered yet.
Across the 60-year history of the Fantastic Four, Reed Richards has always stood as a bastion of hope for the Marvel Universe. Seeing such a shining beacon of everything good in the world come to such a bloody end after already having been made into a pawn in Venom’s game is horrifying.
However, all of this is also a testament to just how fantastic Reed truly is. Being killed by a power-hungry symbiote isn’t the biggest compliment in the world, but the symbiote’s fear that the Fantastic Four leader’s great intellect would prove to be his downfall speaks volumes about how formidable Reed can be.
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