Webspinners: Tales of Spider-Man #12

Webspinners: Tales of Spider-Man was a series launched by Marvel Comics in 1999, designed as a showcase for various creative teams to tell self-contained stories set within Spider-Man's earlier years. Issue #12 serves as the conclusion to a notable three-part story arc titled Down Among the Dead Men, which brought the Green Goblin into conflict with Peter Parker during a period of intense personal turmoil. The series was created to bridge the gap between classic continuity and a more modern, introspective storytelling style.

This specific issue was written by J.M. DeMatteis and illustrated by Michael Zulli, whose distinct, atmospheric style provided a departure from the typical superhero aesthetic of the era. The narrative sought to explore the psychological toll that Spider-Man’s dual life exacted on him, a frequent theme in DeMatteis’s work. While the series as a whole struggled to find a permanent foothold in a crowded market, this particular run is often cited by fans of character-driven comic literature for its somber tone and artistic ambition.