Spider-Man's Tangled Web was an American superherocomic book series starring Spider-Man and his supporting cast published by Marvel Comics for 22 issues from June 2001 to March 2003. The title was an anthology series, where various creative teams not usually associated with Spider-Man could display their take on the character.
The series' title was initially styled as Tangled Web for the first four issues, with Spider-Man's name not featured on the cover. From #5 it was changed to Spider-Man's Tangled Web.[1] Issue #1 was the subject of a recall due to the incorrect paper stock being used for the cover. A second print run was ordered with the correct paper stock, thus making a collector's item of the rarer first print.[7]
Peter Parker is targeted by former high-school bully Carl King, who knows that his old punching-bag became Spider-Man. However, King's attempt to replicate the accident that gave Peter his powers by ingesting the irradiated spider have instead turned him into the Thousand, a swarm of spiders carrying his consciousness and capable of taking over the skins of his victims.
Tom Cochrane is a trusted and experienced lieutenant of the Kingpin. However, after an operation under his watch is foiled by Spider-Man he must prepare for the consequences of failing the crime lord.
A laughing-stock after repeated defeats at the hands of Spider-Man, Rhino undergoes intelligence enhancement to impress the daughter of a Russian mobster. However, he soon finds himself missing his simpler, stupider previous life.
Cab driver Charlie Clemmens discovers Spider-Man's secret identity, and must weigh up exposing the secret to pay his medical bills against the hero's safety.
The staff of the Daily Bugle finish work on Valentine's Day, with reporters Jill and Kay both thinking they're going on a date with Peter Parker. Meanwhile Spider-Man himself is recovering in a dumpster after a fight with the Vulture.
Eugene has to deal with being the son of loser super-villain Leap-Frog; his efforts to carve a more positive legacy as the hero Frog-Man are no more successful.
In an overall series review before #20, Wizard rated Spider-Man's Tangled Web as 'B-', noting the format was "both the strength and weakness" of the title.[5] Screen Rant considered it a title that was cancelled too early.[13]
Wizard listed "Severance Package" as one of their 'Top 10 Books of the Last Decade'.[5] "Severance Package" was named as one of the '10 Best Spider-Man & Kingpin Comics' by Comic Book Resources.[14]Wizard also described "I was a Teenage Frogman" as "tepid".[5]
"'Twas the Fight Before Christmas" was listed in Screen Rant's '10 Marvel Comics That Could Inspire Another MCU Holiday Special'[15][16]
"Flowers for Rhino" was one of the most acclaimed stories from the series; Screen Rant named it among the '10 Best Comic Issues Of The 2000s' featuring Spider-Man;[17] it was listed at 49th on Comic Book Resources' '50 Greatest Spider-Man Stories Master List'.[18] and was named as one of the '10 Weirdest Spider-Man Comics' by Tilt Magazine, writer David Gelmini describing it as "an enjoyably offbeat insight into the psyche of the most imbecilic member of the Sinister Six".[19]Comic Book Resources would also list it as a fine example of a villain-centric Spider-Man story.[20]
