Radioactive Spider-Man #1 REVIEW
X-Future Spider-Man
After the Gene Bomb fell, life in New York changed dramatically. Well, at least for Peter Parker, it seems his whimsical disposition remains intact. Oh yeah, Peter is suffering from the X-Virus that destroyed millions of people in Radioactive Spider-Man #1. If constantly being poisoned by the gene bombs’ potent mutant factor, Spider-Man would be at the top of his game. Unfortunately, 10 years into the future have robbed him of innocence and those he called friends and family. Thankfully, Spider-Man isn’t alone.
Written by Joe Kelly (The Adventures of Superman), Radioactive Spider-Man #1 retains a pleasurable enjoyment of Peter Parker as Spider-Man. While this Spider-Man is supposedly the Spider-Man 10 years before the gene bomb, it’s hard to say how much emotional damage has been dished out to his psyche. As readers of Spider-Man know, Peter Parker knows how to converse and avoid focusing on what truly bothers him under quirky jokes. What’s interesting about this future version of Peter Parker is that his cells are already radioactive and act as some agent to slow the process of the X-Virus down. This information sets the tone for how the comic book will proceed further. Dropping a few key details in the story helped understand that this Spider-Man is on borrowed time if he can’t get radioactive treatments promptly. And no, this is not the pleasant kind of treatment. Luckily, Spider-Man has an interest in looking after him during this timeline. It’s not who you would expect to be, either. Kelly’s storyline for Spider-Man at the start of this series raises a few questions, but at the same time surprises you with details about the Age of Revelation event.
Notably, Kev Walker (The Avengers) produces great details in the illustrations of Radioactive Spider-Man #1. Visually, the craftsmanship of the artwork made the comic book a delight to read. Tasked with a surmountable duty of linework, Walker did an excellent job at making sure the panels were fun transitions for readers to process through the story. No single panel is the same, as each new scene represents the tempo of how the comic books’ pace moves along. The approach Walker takes to drawing characters and settings adds value to the experience of reading a light-hearted hero who’s still doing the right thing.
In comparison, Chris Sotomayer (Ms. Marvel) provides outstanding coloring work to the comic book. It’s without a doubt a refreshing take on the energetic life of a world where mutant genetics populate much of planet Earth. Some readers might find things that are happening outside of Age of Revelation to be bad, but from within a populated city, it’s quite peaceful. The coloring work by Sotomayer reflects that beauty and peace.
The lettering by Joe Caramagna (Aero) adds flair and grace to the overall experience of the comic book. The specific lettering style by Caramagna includes the comic books’ own identity in terms of playfulness and excitement.
The cover art to Radioactive Spider-Man #1 by Giuseppe Camuncoli (All-Star Venom), Lorenzo Ruggiero (52), and Marte Gracia (Astonishing X-Men) provides readers with an introduction as to what Spider-Man will look like, given the title of the series. Additionally, each artist contributed well to form a comic book cover worth reading from just observing the cover alone.
In conclusion, Radioactive Spider-Man #1 is an awesome comic book that veterans and new readers should check out and read or request from your local comic book store. As with any new beginning story, there are always twists just around the corner.
Comic Details
Writer: Joe Kelly
Artist: Kev Walker
Colorist: Chris Sotomayer
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Cover Artists: Giuseppe Camuncoli, Lorenzo Ruggiero, Marte Gracia
Editor: Nick Lowe
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Date of Release: October 22, 2025
Rating: 5/5
About the Author
Howard Smith Howard is a passionate collector and avid reader of comics & manga. His love for all things pop culture extends beyond the pages of comics, as he is a seasoned gamer with an appreciation of quality storytelling. As he is always on the hunt for rare collectibles, he manifests an opportunity to celebrate his fandoms. Follow along for new discoveries and changes in the world of entertainment.
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