Getting excited to read a prose novel based around a popular superhero is sometimes difficult for me. I love when a new Marvel novel hits the shelves, but there are times when they just don’t scratch the itch of a new single issue comic story. However, when Jim Butcher, the man behind The Dresden Files, is at the helm of Spider-Man: The Darkest Hours, it became a bit easier to dive into.
Peter Parker’s life has hit a peaceful stretch. No evildoers have tried to flatten him in weeks, his marriage to Mary Jane is stronger than ever, and he’s enjoying his job as a high school science teacher. Life is good. Naturally, that doesn’t last.
When Peter learns that his old enemy the Rhino is on a rampage in Times Square, he suits up as Spider-Man to stop the destructive villain in his tracks. But he’s unexpectedly foiled in his attempts by the Black Cat, a former ally and old flame. The Cat informs Peter that the Rhino is just a distraction — the real threat comes from a group of Ancients, members of the same race as the being called Morlun, who Spidey defeated in battle years earlier. The Ancients are now looking to exact revenge — and hope to steal Spider-Man’s life force in the process.
To defeat such powerful beings, Spider-Man is going to need all the help he can get, especially from the Black Cat. But what will Mary Jane Parker have to say about that? Peter isn’t sure which is worse — the Ancients trying to drain his life force, or the wrath of a jealous wife…
When I say I was excited to read a Marvel story written by Butcher, I was also skeptical at the same time. A bestselling author with no background in the Marvel Universe can be seen as a money grab for the higher ups and not focused as much on how the story will turn out. Butcher’s name attached to a Spider-Man book with ultimately sell copies without any substance. This is NOT the case when it came to this story.
Butcher takes his knowledge, background, and experience of writing science-fiction mysteries and brings it to the Marvel Universe in a way that felt seamless and fitting. Spider-Man, and Peter Parker, are not only crime fighting and trying to save people from ultimate pain and destruction, but there is a mysterious force and villain that is in the way. Parker needs to solve the mystery behind this villain before being able to succeed at his mission and protect his loved ones.
Spider-Man: The Darkest Hours has all the makings for a quality Marvel prose novel, while also mixing in a bit of sci-fi mystery that has made Butcher’s career. Allowing Butcher to spread his wings and breathe a bit telling a Spider-Man story made for a gripping and satisfying experience. While, I’d love to see Jim tackle a single issue comic series, letting him jump into the Marvel Universe is prose form was likely the best course of action and we are better for it.
One of the aspects that made me a bit skeptical was how Butcher was going to portray Spider-Man’s web-slinging and action-packed stories in prose form. Butcher nailed it with vivid writing and just the right amount of sound effects and humor. The visuals of a comic book help tell the story, but overall I wasn’t missing this with Butcher behind the wheel.
Spider-Man: The Darkest Hours ended up being the kind of superhero story I had hoped for in a Marvel prose novel. New York Times bestselling author Jim Butcher proves he understood the task of writing Peter Parker and Spider-Man, while adding his signature blend of mystery and suspense. Butcher delivers a Spider-Man adventure that feels every bit as exciting as the comics while proving the wall-crawler thrives in prose form.
Spider-Man: The Darkest Hours is available at bookstores everywhere from Pocket Star / Gallery Books. The audiobook, narrated by Jackie Meloche, is available via Libro.fm!
