Amazing Spider-Man #24 Review: Torment Tease Fails to Deliver

Written by: Joe Kelly, Charles Soule
Art by: Jesus Saiz
Colors by: Matt Hollingsworth
Letters by: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover art by: Giuseppe Camuncoli, Lorenzo Ruggiero, Dean White (cover A)
Cover price: $4.99
Release date: March 18, 2026

Amazing Spider-Man #24 (Marvel, 3/18/26): Writer Charles Soule and artist Jesús Saiz escalate the “Death Spiral” crossover as Torment hunts Eddie Brock in a grim, trauma-fueled lore dump. Saiz delivers a visually stunning but narratively stagnant experience that lacks a necessary on-ramp for the event. Verdict: For die-hard fans only.

First Impressions

You dive right into the heart of the Bronx, where Eddie Brock battles through a storm of childhood trauma and serial-killer mind games, and the raw energy of the previous installment’s vibrant action is replaced by a somber, realistic weight that hits like a dampener failure. Jesús Saiz’s realistic layouts and shadowy palettes make every flashback strike and modern-day murder feel palpably tense, blending superhuman tragedy with street-level grit in a way that grips you visually from panel one. That painterly momentum carries through Eddie’s unnerving discovery of his father’s body, though the pivot to a stalled confrontation with Torment introduces a slower, more repetitive breather that slightly diffuses the heat before the issue ends on a cryptic note. Overall, the issue lands a potent mix of visceral mood and psychological undercurrents, even if the actual narrative gears seem to have ground to a halt in favor of crossover setup.

Recap

In Amazing Spider-Man #23, Peter narrates how he spent his time in space imagining best-case scenarios to avoid the reality of who might be dying back home. Back in New York, he visits Aunt May but cannot bring himself to tell her the truth about his absence, leading to a clumsy exit to find Venom. Peter eventually encounters Mary Jane, who reveals she has bonded with the Venom symbiote and explains that Ben Reilly’s clone activities caused her to make this choice. The issue concludes with Peter learning that Carnage is hunting him and everyone he loves, setting the stage for the “Death Spiral” event.

Plot Analysis (SPOILERS)

Eddie Brock relives a childhood trauma through a flashback where his father, Carl, rejects his attempts at affection and leaves him with a legacy of bitterness. In the present day, Eddie awakens in the Bronx to the horrific discovery that Torment has followed through on his “triune challenge” by murdering Carl Brock. This brutal act serves as the primary catalyst for the issue, cementing Torment as a threat who systematically dismantles his targets’ support systems before moving in for the kill.

As Eddie reels from the loss, Torment emerges from the shadows to explain his philosophy of “Death Spiral” killings, which prioritize the psychological destruction of the victim’s family. The serial killer engages Eddie in a brief, visceral struggle that leaves the former Venom host battered and desperate for answers. However, Torment refuses to finish the encounter, cryptically stating that the spirals are not yet tight enough before vanishing into the night. This leaves the narrative stalled, as the physical confrontation ends without resolution or significant character movement.

Writing

Charles Soule crafts a script that is deeply focused on the internal trauma of Eddie Brock, but the narrative suffers from a significant lack of plot progress for a mid-crossover issue. The dialogue in the flashback scenes is effective at establishing the coldness of the Brock household, yet the modern-day interaction with Torment feels like a repetitive lore dump that stalls the momentum. There is a noticeable absence of setup for the “Death Spiral” event itself, which makes the sudden shift in focus feel like a content problem rather than a natural storytelling choice. The pacing is deliberate to the point of being stagnant, leaving the reader with very few new developments to justify the financial investment of a flagship title.

Art

Jesús Saiz delivers a visual style that is technically proficient and rich with atmospheric detail, utilizing a painterly approach that emphasizes the grim reality of the Bronx. The character expressions during the flashback sequences are masterfully executed, capturing the subtle hurt in a young Eddie’s eyes and the stern, unyielding mask of his father. However, the layout flow feels significantly more rigid and static than the previous issue’s work by Ed McGuinness, which creates a disconnect for readers accustomed to a higher level of kinetic energy. The shift from stylized action to this more somber, grounded look is undoubtedly jarring and lacks a smooth transitional bridge to maintain visual continuity.

Matt Hollingsworth’s color palette masterfully accelerates the sense of dread, utilizing muted tones and cold highlights to underscore the life-draining nature of the symbiote conflict. The composition in the fight scenes is technically brilliant, but the lack of dynamic panel transitions makes the action feel curiously frozen in time, which is a significant departure from the kinetic energy of the McGuinness era. While the synergy between the pencils and colors is undeniable, it serves a script that is more interested in being a portrait than a sequence. It is a beautiful book to look at, yet it struggles to justify its place as a high-octane installment in a major Marvel event.

Character Development

The focus on Eddie Brock’s relationship with his father adds a layer of tragic depth to his character, illustrating why he is so susceptible to the manipulations of beings like Carnage. It is a consistent portrayal of Eddie as a man defined by his search for belonging, even if that search leads to ruin. However, Peter Parker and Mary Jane are noticeably sidelined in this issue, which feels like a missed opportunity given the high-stakes revelation in the previous chapter. The motivation for Torment is clear but lacks the nuanced complexity that would make him more than a standard slasher-movie villain in a world of complex anti-heroes.

Originality & Concept Execution

The idea of a “triune challenge” involving a serial killer targeting three interconnected lives is a solid hook, but the execution in this specific issue feels like a retread of familiar “family in peril” tropes. The “Death Spiral” concept lacks a unique mechanical or thematic identity beyond being another high-stakes crossover that disrupts the main title’s flow without a proper on-ramp for new readers. While the integration of Eddie’s past is a thoughtful touch, it does not do enough to elevate the issue beyond its role as a temporary lift for the event. The success of the premise is hindered by a refusal to move the pieces forward in a meaningful way, resulting in a story that feels more like a placeholder than a must-read.

Pros and Cons

What We Loved

Masterfully executed character acting in the flashback sequences that conveys deep familial trauma.
Richly atmospheric color palettes by Matt Hollingsworth that enhance the grim, realistic tone.
Technically proficient artistic style by Jesús Saiz that offers high-end visual fidelity throughout.

Room for Improvement

Significant lack of plot progress that makes the issue feel like filler for the crossover.
Jarring art style transition from Ed McGuinness that disrupts the visual continuity of the series.
Insufficient setup for the “Death Spiral” event which makes the narrative pivot feel unearned.

About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.Follow @ComicalOpinions on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

The Scorecard

Writing Quality (Clarity & Pacing): 2/4
Art Quality (Execution & Synergy): 3/4
Value (Originality & Entertainment): 0.5/2

Final Verdict

Amazing Spider-Man #24 is a visually arresting but narratively hollow entry that feels more like a committee-driven mandate than a natural progression of the story. The issue masterfully explores the tragic roots of Eddie Brock through evocative art and somber coloring that captures the grim reality of the Bronx. However, the masterfully executed character work is undermined by a lack of narrative momentum and a jarring art style transition that makes the entire experience feel like a temporary lift rather than a sustainable flagship story. This issue does not earn a place in a limited budget unless you are a die-hard devotee of Saiz’s realistic style or a completionist for the “Death Spiral” event.

5.5/10

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