Spider-Man – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Spider-Man

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2021

68%

WISE Score

4.8

Amazon

Spider-Man gets a 90s makeover with iconic 'spaghetti webs' and a vibe that’s more horror movie than Saturday morning cartoon.

Spider-Man

book

2021

68%

WISE Score

4.8

Amazon

Spider-Man gets a 90s makeover with iconic 'spaghetti webs' and a vibe that’s more horror movie than Saturday morning cartoon.

4.8

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, if you’re looking for the bright, quippy Peter Parker from the MCU, this isn't it. This is the 1990s 'adjectiveless' Spider-Man run where Todd McFarlane was given the keys to the kingdom and decided to turn the lights off.

The art is the star here. It’s gorgeous, detailed, and dynamic in a way that still holds up in 2026. However, the story is grim. It starts with Spidey being hunted through the sewers by a bloodthirsty Lizard and only gets darker from there.

It’s a foundational piece of comic history, but it’s definitely for the older kids who can handle some 'grim and gritty' storytelling. It’s not boring, but the writing is definitely a product of its era—lots of words to say 'I am very sad and tired.'

Age Fit

Best for ages 12 and up. It’s perfect for the middle schooler who wants to read something that feels 'edgy' without being full-blown adult content. If your kid still thinks Spider-Man is just for toddlers, this will be a reality check.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

This isn't the 'friendly neighborhood' vibe. It's intentionally dark, moody, and centers on Peter Parker's internal torment and brutal physical struggles.

Imaginative

Todd McFarlane’s art redefined the medium. The way he draws movement and those iconic 'spaghetti webs' is a masterclass in visual creativity.

Safe

It's a book, so no digital risks, but the content is heavy. We’re talking 'streets run red with blood' and homicidal rampages. Not for the 'Spidey and His Amazing Friends' crowd.

Enriching

Maintains the core 'responsibility' theme of Spider-Man, but focuses more on the visceral, gritty experience of being a hero than on deep moral complexity.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

The art is legendary and essentially invented the modern visual language of Spider-Man.
It’s a great 'bridge' book for kids moving from standard superhero stories to more mature graphic novels.
Features epic team-ups with Ghost Rider, Wolverine, and X-Force that feel high-stakes and cinematic.

⚠

What to Watch For

The 'Torment' arc is surprisingly bloody and features a feral, cannibalistic version of the Lizard.
McFarlane’s writing is very much of its time—expect a lot of heavy, angsty internal monologue that might feel clunky to modern readers.

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think the artist chose to make the webs look so messy and tangled compared to older comics?"
"Spider-Man is usually joking around; why do you think he’s so serious and dark in this specific story?"
"When the Lizard loses his humanity, is he still responsible for his actions, or is he just an animal?"

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