In Review: Amazing Spider-Man (2025-) #26 – DEATH SPIRAL PART SEVEN!

Synopsis: DEATH SPIRAL PART SEVEN! SPIDER-MAN is the LAST hero standing against TORMENT’S onslaught! MJ, Eddie and Dylan are in Torment’s sights. Peter can’t save them all! And Torment’s newest ALLY just tipped the scales in the serial killer’s favor!

The Story

Picking up from where the last issue left off, Spider-Man and Venom have split up. Venom initially heads off to rescue Eddie Brock’s son from Torment, only to discover the whole situation was a ruse—part of Torment’s plan to strengthen its bond with its host. When Carnage separates from Eddie and joins Torment, the situation escalates quickly.

Venom ultimately stays behind to help Eddie and his son get to a hospital, while Spider-Man is left to keep both Carnage and Torment occupied. Torment’s wider plan soon becomes clear: targeting those close to Peter Parker, including his cousin, Aunt May, and Aunt Anna.

As the story resumes, Spider-Man is battling both Carnage and Torment in an effort to free the person Torment claims is Peter’s cousin. Meanwhile, at the hospital, Eddie takes a moment to apologise to Venom—not only for how he treated him while bonded, but also for the reckless decision to bond with Carnage in the first place.

Venom, however, isn’t interested in reconciliation and makes it clear he wants nothing more to do with Eddie. Mary Jane is equally unimpressed, viewing Eddie’s actions as more than desperation—seeing them instead as an addiction to hosting alien symbiotes.

“As this is part of a wider crossover with Venom, the issue only presents part of the overall narrative, meaning some elements have to be pieced together from context.”

Artwork

Ed McGuinness continues to deliver solid work on the artwork in this issue. The two-page splash early on is a standout, showing Spider-Man swinging away from Torment and Carnage across the New York skyline.

What really sells the moment is the sense of movement. The buildings are slightly blurred, giving us a sense of how the city might look from Spider-Man’s perspective as he whooshes between skyscrapers. It’s a simple touch, but incredibly effective in putting the reader right into the swing of the action.

Overall

This was a really strong issue that raises the stakes nicely. The combination of Carnage and Torment’s personalities is particularly fun, especially in the way they play off each other through their dialogue.

I’m definitely looking forward to seeing how this is resolved over the next couple of issues.