Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Amazing Spider-Man #23Marvel’s new Death Spiral event has only just begun, and it’s already featured the death of a classic Spider-Man villain. Focused on a new serial-killing supervillain named Torment, the stakes are already quite high now that a villain who debuted nearly 60 years ago is no more.

Death Spiral brings together Spider-Man, Venom, and Carnage in a storyline centered on this brand-new serial killer with powers and a dark methodology that’s still being revealed. However, the reason behind this latest murder surprisingly ties back to none other than Mary Jane Watson, Marvel’s current host of the Venom symbiote.

Marvel’s Death Spiral Event Just Featured The Death Of The Shocker

In the first issue of Marvel’s Death Spiral storyline, it was established that the new Marvel villain Torment has begun hunting victims according to strange yet deliberate spiral patterns, leaving a growing trail of bodies behind.

Now, Torment’s latest victim in the new Amazing Spider-Man #23 (Death Spiral Part 2) is none other than Herman Schultz, better known as the Shocker. Shocker is one of Spider-Man’s oldest villains, first appearing in Marvel Comics back in 1967. A professional (yet largely unsuccessful) criminal, Shocker created powerful vibration gauntlets he’d used in combat and to rob banks.

Despite being a pretty mid-tier villain, Shocker was still a consistent member of Spider-Man’s rogues gallery for years. While it seemed as though Herman’s luck was turning around thanks to his new job working for Tombstone, this new issue sees Shocker attacked and murdered in his own apartment by Torment.

It’s doubtful Shocker was anyone’s favorite Marvel villain, the death still comes as a pretty big shock all the same (no pun intended, but there you go). Likewise, the reason Shocker was targeted in the first place by this new villain is just as surprising.

Why Torment Killed Shocker (And How It Connects To Mary Jane Watson)

As seen in the first chapter of Death Spiral, Torment’s spirals look to be made up of carefully selected victims who share names connected to specific final targets. Those names are Parker, Brock, and Watson. As such, Peter Parker’s Spider-Man, Mary Jane Watson’s Venom, and Eddie Brock’s Carnage appear to be the endgame for Torment (who isn’t operating alone).

The first issue of Death Spiral also revealed that Carnage has been in contact with Torment without Eddie’s knowledge, having given him Watson’s name as a brand-new spiral connected to his first two.

Recently, Eddie Brock has been the current host of Carnage in an uneasy arrangement designed to keep the murderous symbiote under control, with the deal only to go after and eat serial killers. However, Carnage clearly has plans of its own that look to extend beyond a long-term partnership with Eddie.

This is how Herman Schultz’ Shocker entered the equation. As Herman bleeds out on the floor after his ankles were slashed by Torment, the serial killer reveals that Shocker’s mother’s sister’s daughter married a Watson. Apparently, that was enough for Torment to include Shocker in his Mary Jane spiral.

Hopefully, we’ll soon learn more about Torment’s methods and powers as Death Spiral continues. In the meantime, this new death confirms the stakes are likely only going to get higher from here, especially considering the dark truth that Carnage knows Peter Parker is Spider-Man (and has likely told Torment).

Amazing Spider-Man #23 is available now from Marvel Comics.

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  Alias

  Peter Parker, Ben Reilly, Otto Octavius, Yu Komori, Kaine Parker, Pavitr Prabhakar, William Braddock, Miles Morales, Kurt Wagner

  Created By

  Stan Lee, Steve Ditko

  Franchise

  Marvel, Spider-Man

  Race

  Human

  First Appearance

  Amazing Fantasy

  Alliance

  Avengers, Fantastic Four, X-Men, Secret Defenders, Future Foundation, Heroes for Hire, Mighty Avengers, New Avengers, Web-Warriors

  Spider-Man is the name given to several individuals who have employed a spider-moniker throughout Marvel Comics. Typically gaining their powers through a bite from a radioactive spider, the different Spider-Man heroes employ super-strength, agility, and intellect while utilizing webbing to swing and tangle up their foes. The most notable of these Spider-Men is Peter Parker, who remains one of the most popular superheroes throughout the world.

  
  

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  NAME

  Venom (Symbiote), Eddie Brock (most prominent host)

  Alias

  Eddie Brock

  Created By

  David Michelinie, Todd McFarlane

  POWERS

  Superhuman strength, speed, agility, and endurance, Ability to cling to surfaces, Shape-shifting abilities (forming weapons, shields), Regeneration and healing factor, Immunity to Spider-Man’s spider-sense, Enhanced senses, Able to produce webbing, Bonding with a host to share or amplify powers, Immunity to all Earthly diseases

  RELATIONSHIPS

  Eddie Brock (primary host and ally), Peter Parker/Spider-Man (initial enemy, later uneasy ally), Anne Weying (former wife of Eddie Brock and occasional host), Cletus Kasady/Carnage (offspring of the Venom symbiote and a deadly enemy)

  HISTORY

  The Venom symbiote is an alien organism that first bonded with Peter Parker (Spider-Man) during the “Secret Wars” storyline. After Parker rejected the symbiote, it found a new host in Eddie Brock, a disgraced journalist. The symbiote and Brock bonded over their mutual hatred for Spider-Man, becoming the anti-hero known as Venom. Over time, Venom has evolved from a villain to an anti-hero, often fighting alongside other heroes to protect innocents, though his methods remain brutal.

  Venom is a symbiotic alien entity bonded with various human hosts, notably Eddie Brock and later Flash Thompson. It grants superhuman strength, agility, and a shape-shifting black costume. Initially a Spider-Man villain due to its origins, Venom evolved into an antihero, battling both villains and his own dark impulses. The character embodies themes of duality and redemption within the Marvel Universe.