Spider-Man Bonds With [SPOILER] To Become A New Hybrid Superhero
Warning: Spoilers for Devil’s Reign: Superior Four #3!
In Marvel’s current Devil’s Reign event, the leafy hero known as Man-Thing just gave Spider-Man a brand new look! Combining the arachnid features of Spidey’s usual design with the plant-like nature of Man-Thing is not only a fun visual to see, but one that’s intriguing enough to continue exploring past his first — and potentially last — appearance.
Seen at the very end of Devil’s Reign: Superior Four #3, by Zac Thompson and Davide Tinto, this issue follows Otto Octavius’ multiversal adventure on an Earth protected by the Supreme Octopus, a Doctor Strange/Doctor Doom/Dock Ock hybrid with the power of the Sorcerer Supreme. And while Spider-Man himself doesn’t show up in this Devil’s Reign tie-in, this new version of him manages to pull off a pretty good impression of Marvel’s original Friendly Neighborhood hero.
Stranded along with three variants of himself who themselves are multiversal versions of Hulk, Wolverine, and Ghost Rider, Dock Ock finds himself chained up against his will as he combats Supreme Octopus for the right to be the most superior villain of them all. Jailed next to the deceased remains of a Man-Thing version of himself, Dock Ock allows a seedling to attach to his body so he can utilize its powers to defeat his captor. And as the Superior Four eventually claim victory, fans are treated to a fun new hybrid superhero that’s as much Spider-Man as he is Man-Thing.
Dropped off on Earth-2902’s Fresh Fond City in the aftermath, this Man-Thing/Dock Ock variant immediately begins to morph and evolve with the greenery around him. Maturing from a small sapling into a larger leafy mass and then eventually into something resembling a human, Man-Thing completes his transformation, ending up looking like Spider-Man in more ways than one. Entirely green and covered in foliage, Spider-Thing swings onto the scene with tendrils of roots springing from his back and shooting from his wrists, exciting the pedestrians on the ground as he swings by. Shouting a welcoming “He’s back!” and a reassuring “Love the fresh look, Spidey,” this new superhero hybrid gives these citizens of Earth-2902 as well as fans of both characters something to write home about.
Often depicted as a somewhat mindless yet instinctual being, Man-Thing usually acts as the protector of the Nexus of All Realties as well as a friend to the heroes of the Marvel Universe. And now with Man-Thing getting the Spider-Man/Superior Spider-Man treatment, the multiverse has just been given a new champion that will hopefully get his chance to shine outside of this seemingly one-and-done appearance.
Man-Thing may not always be featured in the comings and goings of the Marvel Universe, but becoming a version of Spider-Man on another Earth ensures that he might pop up sooner rather than later, especially with the idea of the Spider-Verse being as popular as it is. The multiverse is vast and full of surprises, and a Man-Thing x Spider-Man mash-up is one that fans won’t soon forget!