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Five years after the emotional ending of Spider-Man: No Way Home changed the web-slinger's life forever, Tom Holland is close to returning as Peter Parker. Spider-Man: Brand New Day premieres in theaters next week, promising one of Spidey's darkest adventures yet as he emerges from the shadows after so long fighting crime anonymously and living on his own. When his powers start going haywire and an ominous new threat emerges that endangers not just him, but everyone he loves, he'll need some help wherever he can get it. Among those he'll turn to are an old friend in Dr. Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) to understand his current metamorphosis, and, in his first theatrical MCU appearance, The Punisher (Jon Bernthal), to aid in the fight. As seen in the second trailer, though, the worst-case scenario will come to pass when Banner is controlled by Spidey's new villain, turning the might of the Incredible Hulk against Peter and Frank.
Fittingly, before the film's arrival, Marvel Comics has released a new issue that again sees Frank on the wrong end of Banner's rage. Spider-Man: Long Way Homeimagines a grittier world where the Punisher does not yet exist as we know him, word of the Hulk is little more than a whisper, and A.I.M. has created an item of unfathomable power that both wish to keep out of the wrong hands. In the middle of it all is Spider-Man, who has been recruited by S.H.I.E.L.D. to acquire the Cosmic Cube, which will be easier said than done. Issue #2 finds the cosmically powerful artifact in the hands of Frank after his unit fought through Hydra forces and the A.I.M. base in South America, but a run-in with the Hulk has changed things. A preview of the comic has been shared, teasing Spidey's race against time to secure the Cube from both sides quickly and, if possible, quietly.
Everything begins with a briefing from Agent Quartermain, though Spidey first shows some reluctance over how well S.H.I.E.L.D is handling a mission involving such a potentially dangerous artifact. Quartermain admits he's not wrong to think so, but there's much to the situation at hand that they don't yet understand. First, he points to Lt. Frank Castle, the lone survivor of his squad who is believed to be good, but has a covert ops background and a record that's clearly been wiped, indicating he's willing to skew his moral compass. On the flip side, there's the Hulk, the monster responsible for taking out Frank's team. S.H.I.E.L.D. knows frighteningly little about it, making Peter's job all the more dangerous. With Frank's file on hand and orders from the organization to keep S.H.I.E.L.D.'s name away from the mission, Spider-Man sets out, but Castle is also on the move in Nicaragua, dressed in a soldier's attire much different from his typical appearance.
'Spider-Man: Long Way Home' Unites a Legendary Writer and Artist
Issue #2 of Long Way Home is shaping up to be an action-packed tale of intrigue, promising a rare chance to see three Marvel icons squaring up against each other. S.H.I.E.L.D. chose Peter in part because he'd be able to hold his own against both other heroes, but despite not having powers and being the target of both Spidey and the Hulk for the Cube, Frank has a few tricks to turn the tables on them and become the predator instead of the prey. Adding to the excitement is that beloved Marvel writer Jonathan Hickman, known for his work with The Fantastic Four and for creating the 2010s Infinity and Secret Wars crossover events that have inspired the MCU, penned the story. He's joined by Eisner Award-winning artist Adam Kubert, who also created the cover alongside the issue's colorist, Arthur Hesli.
Spider-Man: Long Way Home is now on store shelves. Check out a sneak preview in the gallery above.
