What if Peter Parker became VENOM? | Spider-Man: Spider's Shadow

In the proud Marvel tradition of WHAT IF?, Chip Zdarsky and Pasqual Ferry imagine a world where Peter Parker became Venom! Spider-Man once donned an alien suit that nearly destroyed his life…but what if he never took it off? In this shocking new version of the story, Peter ignores every warning…and embraces his dark symbiote! Now, haunted by terrible nightmares and exhausted by an endless barrage of villains, he is at the end of his rope…and when Hobgoblin attacks, Spider-Man isn’t so friendly anymore. The rules of engagement are about to change - permanently! Wilson Fisk wants to put an end to this deadly new Spidey once and for all. But with Peter haunted by his past and present more and more each day, can anyone save him from his own mind? Never miss an episode by subscribing today! bit.ly/2WYvgkt #spiderman #whatif #venom
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ComicPop is a few friends talking about comic books. The ComicPop team brings a bunch of unique points of view to every single discussion about a comic book, graphic novel, character or story arc. You can find full conversations about your favorite titles from Marvel and DC Comics, plus a few pretty key independent comics. If you're looking for a long, funny conversation about Batman or a deep dive into why Spider-Man is so neurotic, check out the hours and hours of amusing, insightful and downright stupid conversations about some of your favorite comic books over the years. If you're a longtime comic book reader or just starting out, make sure to subscribe right now!
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[@comicpop]

Buy Spider's Shadow on Amazon! amzn.to/343lSFA

[@UnrealGemini]

100k sub

[@CAPTIANZEUS]

the link on amazon says issues 1-4, is this the same one that you have in the episode or did amazon mess up?

[@comicpop]

@@CAPTIANZEUS They added a 5th issue. You're good.

[@CAPTIANZEUS]

@@comicpop awesome just ordered my copy! was gonna be really upset if it was just issues 1-4 😂

[@Just_Some_Guy_with_a_Mustache]

*Peter, before he goes thumb-deep into Hobgoblin's skull:* "Look at little Goblin Jr. _Gonna cry?"_

[@Red-Rebel]

Hobgoblin: You weren't supposed to unmask me! You ruined the game! Spider-Man: I missed the part where that's my problem.

[@Ashguy733]

I just realized this is essentially the Spiderman version of the Mountain killing the Red Viper.

[@marioacosta-warren921]

“I’m gonna put some dirt in your eye.”

[@nickdeltufo3857]

“I’m Peter Parker, welcome to PAIN!!”

[@ryanhensley4836]

I'm gonna put some dirt in your eye

[@rushabhshah6496]

Commenting halfway through; I thought the Kingpin scene was Kingpin accepting his fate and waiting for Spiderman to show up; having realised that none of his power and influence means anything in the face of a person who's alone and has literally nothing/no one left to lose.

[@comicpop]

Love it.

[@WhelmedButReady]

36:49 I can't help but feel like Shocker's utterly horrendous defeat is paying off the meme of 90s Symbiote Spidey chasing him TO "THE ENDS OF THE EAAAARRRRRRRRTH!!!!"

[@tomtudorweaver1078]

Part of me does kind of wish there was a random cutaway to one of the villains looking terrified watching the news reports of all the villains being killed, then the next panel is them on a plane, bus or train leaving New York with that exact same expression, that'd just be a funny moment to me. It's a little thing, but I always like when the comics address that Hobgoblin was pretty much the main villain of Spider-Man for a while, I think a lot of people forget that with the overabundance of Green Goblin and he gets shoved down the scale of popularity because of it, even though he's such a different character. Part of me hopes we get him as the main villain for the MCU Spider-Man during the next trilogy.

[@tomtudorweaver1078]

@Chandler Burse That was actually who I had in mind too! Maybe it's just the Ultimate comics rubbing off on me, but he comes off like the kind of villain who'd know when to get out of there.

[@lexofpower2822]

@Chandler Burse Shocker: OH SH*T!!!

[@Martin_TheCollector]

Anything written by Chip is usually super duper good. I wish he'd written more FF stuff instead of Slott.

[@loganthomas2421]

I’ve never cared for Dan Slott tbh. I know a lot of people like his Spider-Man run but I found it to be overrated. I thought Chip did way more interesting things with Superior Spider-Man in Life Story than Slott

[@Martin_TheCollector]

@@loganthomas2421 I only enjoyed some parts of Big Time, Superior Spidey and Silver Surfer by Slott. He's like Bendis who used to write very interesting material but after a while completely lost his touch.

[@MisterKetch]

Seriously, his marvel 2 in 1 was not only the best FF book published since Hickman, but the best Exiles comic since the original run ended.

[@rachitmittal448]

I don't really like how he writes FF. But he is still much better than Slott. His Marvel Two-In-One is good book but his X-Men/FF book is just average imo.

[@rachitmittal448]

@@loganthomas2421 I think Dan Slott superior was better than Chip Superior in Life Story but Dan Slott run on Spider-Man is incredibly overrated. IMO, his run after Superior was just average. Big Time to Superior had low and highs but it was good read.

[@nathanhall9345]

Paying off Peter's relationship with the Fantastic Four, developing J Jonah... This story just GETS and cares about Spider-Man.

[@DazzlingMrScratch]

Chip has been one of marvel’s better writers recently. This, Invaders, and Daredevil are all pretty consistently good, along with stuff like Life Story and Woman Without Fear, dude has just been on a roll. Even his DC and indie stuff are pretty great.

[@HOTD108_]

The Man The Man

[@flywheelshyster]

only with comic pop could we get an improv comedy bit relating to degloving lol. comics and coffee time

[@adamleopard9406]

Ah the perfect cycle. Sal recommends a book on off the rack, i read it, and a few months later we get it on back issues. *Chefs kiss

[@ArachnoVolt]

I think a fitting name for Fisk with the Carnage symbiote would just be Wilson Fisk: The Kingpin of Carnage since he's usually referred to as the Kingpin of Crime

[@gideon5386]

Something I just thought of, the ending of this book, Peter joining the FF, is also a callback to the very first issue of Amazing Spider-Man where he tries to convince them to let him join.

[@antgto]

Also the very first issue of What If, being what if Spider-Man had joined the Fantastic Four.

[@TheContradictator]

I don’t think Spider-Man has had fire webs in the comics, but in the PS1 video game, he has flame webs as a power up and you use them to beat the symbiotes. I love that game

[@antdujar]

Agreed! That game is a classic.

[@adamwalls5865]

The ps1 game! Love that game. Had a pretty awesome list of unlockable suits.

[@Gundam_JAY]

There were fire webs before but it was more like gasoline laced webs which set off on fire on command

[@thedukeofchutney468]

I actually would love it if they did this in the MCU insofar as the symbiote and Peter actually having a friendship/bond.

[@loganthomas2421]

Really solid story. Zdarksy has been killing it lately. I wish Marvel would continue Zdarksy’s imprints like Life Story so we can see it’s treatment with other characters like Daredevil, Captain America, and others

[@DanV900]

They did it with Fantastic Four.

[@loganthomas2421]

@@DanV900 True but that was the only other one and it seems like they aren’t going to continue it anytime soon but I hope they do

[@timothyperez6099]

I'd really want to see y'all cover the Just Imagine series where Stan Lee has his take on the DC heroes! I think it'd be fun to see Ethan and Ben's reaction and hear Sal's thoughts also

[@timothyperez6099]

That's actually the Amalgam Universe where Marvel and DC heroes just merge. This one is how would Stan Lee create Superman, Batman and more JL heroes! @Chandler Burse

[@anonomit8229]

​@Chandler Burse Its the one where Stan created his own designs for the JL members like Flash being a woman with red and yellow hair streaks and batman being an actual Bat-Man.

[@Red-Rebel]

41:52 "Is he still a reporter?" "He was a reporter once..." *"Until* *that* *accursed* *Spider-Man* *ruined* *his* *life!"*

[@dn22pkkdd476]

Ben Kingsley as The Hobgoblin is something I never knew I wanted, but would really like to see it now.

[@MrCeratix]

"Criminals are disappearing?" "They are disappearing, or they're reappearing.... as corpses"

[@thepanelbiter9915]

I got this trade for Christmas! Such a good story. And I love how it doesn’t justify Peter’s use of the suit. Being bad is bad and people don’t need to think otherwise.

[@BigBossSquirtle]

Thanks to the talking goat man, I'm in love with this channel. Been binge watching your stuff in the last three days.

[@ninja1man4u]

Time well spent

[@SpiralSine6]

One of us, one of us

[@jclombardi8471]

Welcome to the POPulation, brother.

[@nerdking1019]

Welcome!

[@joshheralal8758]

Glad to have you!

[@ziggy_425]

Chip has definitely made a name for himself. It would be awesome if he took over as the main spider-man writer, someone who knows the character well and who can actually tell amazing stories.

[@johnbradley7294]

Ben: I want to read that. Ethan: Alright but would you buy it? Ben: Well No I want Sal to explain it to me on the couch. I think that just described a lot of fans of comic pop lol.

[@pikapal91]

Pretty much me

[@benhramiak8781]

Honestly i like the idea of parker dealing with the symbiote like a relationship, cos originally it didn't effect him mentally. Could have some friction between him and mj. Y'know, as opposed to him just getting angrier and more violent.

[@TheRealGuywithoutaMustache]

Congrats on hitting the 100k milestone guys

[@Subject_Keter]

I like how 1602 is like "You wouldnt even last a day there and you would bring back like syphlis or something"

[@TupocalypseShakur]

This book made me realize Peter needs a beard

[@rachitmittal448]

Nah. I want clean shaven Peter Parker. By the way, wouldn't beard be itchy under spandex mask?

[@TevyaSmolka]

I love chip zdarsky Spider-Man spider’s shadow it’s a really interesting horror story especially as a Spider-Man fan and wow this version of venom is truly a monster.

[@yfullman]

Snyder Cut Uncle Ben: "Kill them all, Peter. Kill. Them. Allllll.

[@joshheralal8758]

Chip is an amazing writer but his Spider-Man is on another level. Great episode guys! Loved the bit at the end about idiots wanting heroes to kill.

[@Machino]

Wow, I was extremely shocked at the intentional brain aneurysm created by the invisible woman... However, the actual ending made me feel really good inside. What an amazing story arc! Thanks for telling us about it.

[@the-nightmayor]

Idea for a series: The history and evolution of tropes/foundations in comics. Like the multiverse, or personified duality, or villains discovering heroes' identities, etc.

[@superjlk_9538]

Chip needs to do Life Story Daredevil before someone else does it and butchers it horribly

[@loganthomas2421]

@SuperJLK_ I concur

[@dead0ntime]

I would love to see what Zdarsky does during the Frank Miller era

[@Grievousish]

I was surprised when that Ghost Corp logo showed up in Afterlife. I thought for sure that branch was dead and buried

[@catlawyerwilldefendfortrea6038]

I would read Peter as a full time maskless Fantastic Four member. Hope there's more What if

[@jasondaniel8861]

Perfect timing I just finished off the rack from this week. Really excited for this one love Zdarsky's Spider-Man.

[@oatsaredelicious2521]

Congrats on a 100k. SO deserved 👏 ❤

[@tutlefish6798]

Yea

[@mannyblight6140]

Channels like this one, especially this one in fact. Got me through this pandemic and the depression that Also came along with the pandemic and depression in general. I truly love this episodes.

[@BD805s]

I’m honestly glad you guys did this series. This is a really great story and will always hold a special place for me since Spiders Shadow(and this series) was the first ever actual comic I bought for myself and loved. So seeing you guys who are my favorite comic KZbinrs just talk about it and do your usual thing is just enjoyable and a great time!

[@vaggelisbaousis1756]

Congrats on hitting six digits guys! I can't think of anyone more deserving!

[@SkylightCiel]

Okay like I wouldn't read it but... Kingpin as Venom would be a SICK drawing.

[@CozmicEmbyrs]

Re: Flaming Webs, correct me if I'm wrong but the only time I remember that being a thing was the PS1 Spider-Man game when he fights the Symbiotes?

[@silaskoenig7761]

I just audibly shouted yes when I saw this thumbnail pop up on my feed at work 😂😂😂

[@com1c28]

I’ve always thought that in the collected versions of What If?, Elseworlds, and tales of the Dark Multiverse,etc, should include a reprint of the original issue where the diversion takes place so the actual issue can tread new ground the whole time.

[@enrajbroin]

They are doing a What if Miles Morales became Captain America? book in March, so it seems every Zdarsky initiative/imprint gets at least a second shot!

[@jimothie64]

Aye, I just checked KZbin to see if you guy’s had done “Spider’s Shadow” last week! So glad you guy’s are getting to it!

[@thread6971]

You guys rock. 30 seconds in I'm already laughing my ass off. Thanks for the awesome content.

[@Justice4Skye]

Congrats on 100k, you guys have been doing this for so long, much longer then channels with 20-30x the subs and you all put so much effort and time into explaining comics in such detail. You deserve just as many subs as all of those channels(even though you are friends and work with some of them). Success will be coming you all's way, keep at it. Sal, Tiffany, Ethan and Ben.

[@tristanlevesque563]

Flame webs were a power up in the Spider-Man game from 2000! They’re mainly used against the symbiote enemies in the levels.

[@Goldmanvision]

This run was f****** amazing. One of the few modern series I own all the issues. It's only four, but damn it's a good four issues

[@antdujar]

Ethan with the “blam,blam, blam” got me rolling. But seriously, Zdarsky should do a series of what-if books. It would just provide some cool stories with a slew of artists that could break away from the usual house style of continuity and art, because this book is just amazing. No surprise since Zdarsky has been on a streak of solid stories. The closest thing that I could think of to this is winick’s exiles to some degree, which was a solid ongoing series of dimensional what-ifs. But this was dope.

[@JohnClark-tt2bl]

I cannot believe you've only got 100k subs. Back issues is a highlight of my week.

[@AlriikRidesAgain]

K, so, seeing Beetle dead like that tugs on my heart strings, mainly because he'd never redeem himself as Mach-1 and I love Thunderbolts Vol. .1.

[@TheRastawookie]

"you owe my children a father peter"...

[@adamfreddo5703]

Flame webs? Now that's bringing back the Spider-man ps1 nostalgia... and the PTSD of all those screaming symbiotes.

[@antgto]

No one caught that the ending with Spidey joining the FF was a callback to the first issue of What If vol. 1?

[@jok86er]

On the Spiderman game for the PS1 you can get flame webs to kill symbiots

[@TevyaSmolka]

Congrats on 100k guys you deserve it.

[@jimothie64]

Congratulations on 100k subscribers guys! I’ve been watching you guys for the better part of 2-3 years! And out of everyone I’ve seen on KZbin, you guys are definitely the most deserving of appreciation and support on the platform! Thank you guys so much for the spectacular content!

[@velemamba260]

I really like that this story didn't end on a downer. Spider-Man joining the fantastic four feels like a pretty reasonable and logical direction for his character, especially in the aftermath of what all happened. I think that the story told in this issue is completeand satisfying, but if this were an alternate universe where this was the way the venom saga went, I think it could totally work long term.

[@workinprogress49]

“No I want someone to read it to me on the couch” my stance on most of these stories tbh

[@premmy1020]

The PSX/N64/PC spider-man game had flaming webs as a way to defeat Symbiote enemies. He says he adds magnesium to the web fluid to make it work. It just looks like his normal web attacks/powers, but glowing red with early 3D fire particle effects.

[@smugalice6206]

I’m surprised Earth-94000 (the Roger Corman FF movie) wasn’t on the list of “do not visit” universes.

[@geniejunkie]

One aspect of what if was in addition to giving normally a WTF continuity divergence it caught readers up on prior storylines they might be interested in and added characters they might not know.

[@antgue756]

100k!!!!! You guys did it! Ive been following the channel for years this milestone has been well overdue you guys deserve it and way more for the awesome content!

[@SpiralSine6]

31:27 “Death is nothing compared to vindication!” - JJJ

[@mickeyveach3612]

This is probably my favorite What If story of all time

[@Yrevnoc]

The FF holographic disguise is a really convoluted way of writing Peter and Johnny tricking the symbiote, when Johnny could simply just put on the Spider-man costume, that already is designed to hide the wearers identity.

[@reedmorebooks]

I loved this series. Between this and life story I'll never get enough Zdarsky Spider-Man.

[@bigfest6498]

I've been watching you guys for quite some time and you guys (Tiffany too!) has shown such a great growth of chemistry, showing us the best and worst of comics in a way where it feels like I'm hanging out with friends. Great job on the additional shots of the scenes at a key point. And congratulations on 100K.

[@MisterKetch]

Kingpin of Carnage' - that has a nice ring to it!

[@Jay-Voorhees]

46:32 😂😂😂😂 That Line is Amazing and the delivery was awesome

[@TheSpeedMason]

11:20 Doesn't the Neversoft Spider-Man game from the 2000s have flame webs during the symbiote invasion in the Daily Bugle level? I'm surprised that wasn't mentioned in the whole flame webs discussion.

[@comicsmisexplained]

@2:59 I feel like the new What If logo is too closely based on the Criterion logo. Maybe it was to give it a more prestigious vibe.

[@victordempsey1990]

From Mr sunday, great set up guys

[@GuitarGuyNick]

i love the screen rant referance

[@dwise23710]

flaming chain doc ock sounds awesome lol

[@agony3254]

Grats on 100k subs. Long, long time coming. You finally... crossed the line

[@richard2007]

Wait did you guys just hit 100K? That’s awesome! You guys are awesome and definitely deserve even more attention

[@thomasarcanine]

"It's like insomnia meets Spider-Man!" Add a C to that and they make a very good Spider-man video game...

[@doobie19]

whoo! back issues on my birthday, this truly is the greatest present.

[@chrisdaily2077]

Spider's Shadow: Reminding what What If was all about... killing popular characters offscreen.

[@davidpledger9842]

Congrats on the 100,000 y'all. Much love. Still be watching when it hits twice that.

[@scoobers90]

Today I learned: De-gloving sounds sexy but most definitely isn't...

[@indigofighter2168]

Exited to see a 100k celebration. Congrats guys!

[@eqs1782]

We didn't start the fire, Aunt May was burning since the fight got started.

[@Dakonaton]

Two episodes of Back Issues in the same week? Hell yeah, brother

[@TheShitsux1337]

Hearing a quote from Pitch Meetings is tight!

[@paulmccreery7027]

Loved story. It was the first series where I bought each floppy as they came out. Thank you for covering it!! Been subscribed since 2015 or 2016 , love you guys. You are the best!

[@JoshMunroe]

18:17 "Like ants." "Yeah, and speaking of aunts, Aunt May..." That transition was almost too smooth.

[@adrianmontanez7216]

When it comes to the whole Hobgoblin story, Roger Sterns laid out all the groundwork during his run, but he never shared who the Hobgoblin really was. He kept it close to the chest until he came back to do the retcon in the 90's. DeFalco and Rez just put all the threads together and saw that Leeds seems like the most likely culprit. Not even editorial knew that Kingsley was the Hobgoblin, all of that stayed with Roger Sterns.

[@donstewart2145]

Just because something isn’t working right off doesn’t mean abandon it let it play out then if it stinks so be then move on ,I love this because they’re unbiased if it sucks they’ll tell you

[@langleymneely]

Wait, Life Story didn’t flop did it? I was under the impression that it was very successful both critically and commercial?

[@kgaventura13]

It's so satisfying to see that ridiculously deserved 100k number next to the comicpop title. But anyways... Excellent back issues fellas!

[@hibikiazuma]

Chip is such a genius. The book he worked on that no one talks about much is his run of Howard the Duck. It was so entertaining.

[@varietyspiderpage]

Been waiting for this one

[@Runge_was_here]

I kind of wish Kingsley was a bigger deal now that I can think and hear the voice of Ben when Roger is used. 😂

[@thelittlehomie658]

16:03 somehow, I am imagining that scenario happen. Funny enough, I remember something like that did happen in Spider-Man 3.

[@Mr.Bibleman]

I read this and have the single issues but don't remember any of it!

[@Keinish79]

Stopped the video to check out the comic, thanks.