Gang War (comics)

"Gang War" is a 2023 storyline published by Marvel Comics. It was created by Zeb Wells and John Romita Jr. The story involves Spider-Man and the local superheroes working to deal with a gang war between the organized crime groups after Tombstone was shot and the crime families plan to take over the criminal underworld.

Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 6) #39, Deadly Hands of Kung Fu: Gang War #1, and Luke Cage: Gang War #2 were dedicated in memory of Keith Giffen who died from a stroke on October 9, 2023. Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 6) #40, Luke Cage: Gang War #3, Miles Morales: Spider-Man (vol. 2) #14, and Spider-Woman (vol. 8) #2 saluted the retirement of Alison Gill.

The event overall received mixed to negative reviews, with criticism directed towards Romita's artwork, the large number of tie-ins, pacing, inconsistent character arcs, and the lack of focus on Peter Parker's Spider-Man. However, the ongoing titles for Miles Morales: Spider-Man and Spider-Woman in the event were positively received.

Gang War details the crime families of New York City going to war after Tombstone was shot by Shotgun during the wedding of Janice Lincoln and Randy Robertson. With the crime families blaming each other for calling the hit and planning to take over the criminal underworld, Spider-Man works to keep the gang war from getting worse with help from the local superheroes while also dealing with the anti-vigilante laws that cause all the sides to come into conflict with the NYPD.^[1][2]

Tombstone's daughter Janice Lincoln is going to marry Robbie Robertson's son Randy Robertson. Their marriage is attended by Peter Parker, Aunt May, Martha Robertson, and the crime lords Hammerhead, Mister Negative, Crime Master, Diamondback, Madame Masque, Black Mariah, and Owl. Shotgun crashes the wedding on his motorcycle and shoots Tombstone. As Tombstone is loaded into an ambulance, the crime lords blame each other for the attack.^[3]

The next day, Hammerhead meets with Lady Yulan, Mister Negative, Owl, and Black Mariah. As Yulan and Negative hold each other accountable for what happened, Hammerhead states that he is backed by Count Nefaria and Silvermane as Owl states that he will stand down for now. Hammerhead states that Madame Masque's territory is up for grabs and that they will divide Tombstone's territory.^[4]

In New York City six hours after the first strike, two people work to get to Central Park for safety. They are ambushed by Ringmaster, who mind-controls them to join his army of brainwashed civilians. Ringmaster tries to brainwash Elektra, only to be taken down. Luke Cage tells Spider-Man that Mister Negative is moving in on Lady Yulan's territory, Diamondback is making a play for Downtown Manhattan, and Hobgoblin is causing trouble in Brooklyn. Elektra heads off to deal with the trouble in Hell's Kitchen, Spider-Woman goes to Downtown to confront Diamondback, Miles Morales heads to Brooklyn, and Spider-Man asks She-Hulk to deal with Monster Metropolis. Janice Lincoln informs White Rabbit, Lady Octopus, Scorpia, and Trapstr that the Upper East Side has been taken care of by Spider-Man and is up for grabs. Spider-Man and She-Hulk are approached by Tombstone, who proposes an alliance.^[5]

Tombstone tells Spider-Man and She-Hulk that he has arranged a meeting with Wilson Fisk as Spider-Man assumes that he is talking about Rose. He states that he wants to stop the gang war by making a deal with Fisk. Tombstone states to Spider-Man and She-Hulk that the Fisk they are meeting with is not Rose. Spider-Man and She-Hulk are surprised that the Fisk in question is actually Wilson Fisk.^[6]

As Spider-Man, She-Hulk, and Tombstone meet with Wilson Fisk, they learn from him that Rose has been drawn into the gang war and is making a play for territory and revenge. Elsewhere, Madame Masque, Shotgun, and Silvermane learn about the struggle downtown between Shang-Chi and Mister Negative, their acquiring over Crime Master's former territory, and Rose fighting Beetle. At Sugar Hill, Beetle is still fighting Rose while the rest of the Sinister Syndicate are fighting Digger.^[7]

At Sugar Hill, the armored soldiers who work for Fisk make off with Rose, leaving the Sinister Syndicate in charge of Sugar Hill. It is revealed that Madame Masque has used a spell to mind-control Shotgun into serving her. Madame Masque is given special gauntlets from Rabble and mind-controls Silvermane, and Count Nefaria as well.^[8]

Madame Masque and her forces confront Beetle, who refuses to give up her territory to the Maggia. Spider-Man's allies show up and work to stop the conflict. Tombstone punches Shotgun, breaking his mind control. After falling back, Beetle tells White Rabbit not to re-engage until further notice. As the fight rages on, Beetle hangs back as Tombstone arrives as she tells him that she's going to have one chance to take Madame Masque out. Tombstone rips off one of Beetle's wings, then knocks her out.^[9]

As Spider-Man's forces are overpowered, Mayor Luke Cage arrives with Jackpot and Spider-Boy. As Count Nefaria advises Silvermane to save Spider-Man's death for Madame Masque, Shotgun shoots the sigils associated with Madame Masque's mind-control spell, freeing her victims. Spider-Man webs up Madame Masque's gauntlet, which explodes and incapacitates her. Later that night, White Rabbit is told by Tombstone that Beetle has left New York City after their disagreement. Tombstone states that he intends to take control of New York City, as most of his opposition has been eliminated.^[10]

In Hell's Kitchen, Elektra is fighting the Heat as she makes her way towards their leader, Rafael Scarfe. Elektra corners Scarfe and interrogates him on who is backing the Heat. Her interrogation on Scarfe is crashed by an assassin, which allows Scarfe to escape. Elektra is then visited by Owl, who intends to form a truce. Before leaving, Owl informs Elektra about a shipment coming in tonight that the Heat plan to obtain. A little later, Elektra informs Spider-Man about the Heat's anonymous benefactor. Arriving at Pier 87, Elektra arrives to see a late night delivery arrive. Rafael Scarfe speaks with the assassin sent by the Heat's anonymous benefactor.^[11]

Elektra fights the Heat as Rafael Scarfe uses a prototype cannon to attack her. The assassin is revealed to be X-23's clone Bellona as Scarfe wants her to inform her employer to hook them up with the same cannons. As Elektra battles Bellona, Scarfe calls to his men to evacuate him and grab whatever they can before fleeing. As the warehouse collapses, a wounded Scarfe makes it out with some of the Heat trapped under the rubble. Elektra then catches up to Scarfe and knocks him out. Elsewhere, Bellona is tasked with killing Elektra.^[12]

Madame Masque has Bellona attack Owl, who she imprisons along with Hammerhead, Count Nefaria, and Silvermane. Meanwhile, Elektra is moving across the rooftops as she makes contact with She-Hulk about her status. Elektra figures out that Bellona is another clone of Wolverine as Bellona states that she is nothing like Wolverine. Elektra comments to Bellona that she has been lied to as well by the Hand and Stick. Bellona states that they are not the same as she uses a smoke bomb to escape.^[13]

Luke Cage is given intel regarding a run on Ryker's Island that may lead to a prison break. After most of the people leave the office, Cage informs Danny Rand about putting a team together. At Ryker's Island, the police work to prevent Spider-Slayers from breaking into Ryker's Island. In the nick of time, Cage arrives with Jones, Rand, and Cloak and Dagger to fight the Spider-Slayers. Rand finds Alistair Smythe and defeats the Spider-Slayers. As Smythe notes that New York's criminal underworld is rising, he escapes while setting his laboratory to self-destruct. Cage escapes as Alistair Smythe attacks City Hall with giant Spider-Slayers.^[14]

Cage is grabbed by one of the Spider-Slayers as Cloak saves him. As Cage lands a punch on a Spider-Slayer, the police provide cover fire. Cloak shows up with Dagger, Danny Rand, and Jessica Jones. During the fight, Cage is called up by someone to come behind the gray building as they cannot leave. He meets up with Rand, who states that he got technology from Tokyo. Cage then returns in a giant powered armor that he calls the Cagebuster.^[15]

Cage uses the Cagebuster to fight the Spider-Slayers. Then he has Jessica Jones, Danny Rand, and Cloak and Dagger join the fight against the Spider-Slayers and keep the police officers safe. The Cagebuster takes a large amount of damage fighting a Spider-Slayer. With the Cagebuster taking more damage, Cage bails from the Cagebuster to fight on his own. After mentioning that Smythe is still out there, Cage is told by a police officer that he will not bring him or his allies in for violating the Anti-Vigilante Act after they saved him and his fellow police officers.^[16]

At Misty Knight's safe house, Miles talks with Doc Samson's protege Keisha Kwan about Spider-Man and how he was missing for some months. In the present, Miles is swinging around when he finds snow on one block. He discovers that Frost Pharaoh and his group the Ank-Colytes are fighting Bumbler and his group, the Buzz Boys. After defeating the Buzz Boys, Miles moves on to Frost Pharaoh, who is piloting a giant robot. In the nick of time, Misty Knight and Colleen Wing arrive and help defeat Frost Pharaoh. Afterwards, they are confronted by the Cape-Killers members Scorpion, Taskmaster, Hightail, and Gust.^[17]

Somewhere in Brooklyn, the Enforcers members Ox, Montana, and Fancy Dan are approached by Prowler, who gives them an offer of weapons in exchange for killing Spider-Man. Meanwhile, Miles, Knight, and Wing get into an altercation with the Cape-Killers. Miles contacts Peter about the Cape-Killers as She-Hulk argues with Julia Gao. Scorpion is put in command of investigating Hobgoblin's activities in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn and takes Miles and Gust with him. Several blocks later, Miles, Scorpion, and Gust are attacked by Prowler and the Enforcers. Despite some difficulty, Scorpion and Gust defeat the Enforcers. As Miles continues fighting Prowler, he tries to get some answers out of him.^[18]

Miles Morales, Ms. Marvel, Shift, and Starling have successfully subdued Prowler. He states to Miles that he is not dealing in weapons and is trying to stop Hobgoblin. Miles, Prowler, Ms. Marvel, Shift, and Starling make their way to Hobgoblin's base with Gust and Scorpion being brought along. As he makes his way to the weapons lab, Miles' spider-senses go off as he is ambushed by Hobgoblin and Rabble.^[19]

Miles battles Rabble, while Ms. Marvel shields Gust from Hobgoblin's pumpkin bomb. After the drones attack some more, Gust is knocked unconscious by the attack as Hobgoblin closes in on them. In the nick of time, Scorpion, Shift, and Starling arrive with Hobgoblin's hired help. Rabble starts to take her leave, stating that Madame Masque thanks him for his resources and that she will put them to good use. Just then, Hobgoblin's pumpkin bombs go off. Miles gets a call from Spider-Man informing him that Madame Masque has assembled an army in Central Park. Julia Gao arrives stating that the truce with the Cape-Killers is over. Miles then leaves to go help Spider-Man end the gang wars once and for all.^[20]

Wanting to the deter the rival gangs from threatening Chinatown but also keeping his battle-hungry soldiers satisfied, Shang-Chi has the Five Weapons Society minimally involved in the gang wars. Spider-Man confronts Shang-Chi for his involvement with the other crime families, but Shang-Chi reassures him otherwise. Believing that his actions are weakening the Society, Shang-Chi's lieutenant Captain Feng stages a coup and attempts to steal the Ten Rings. Having anticipated this, Shang-Chi thwarts the coup but Feng has his sorcerers seal Shang-Chi's rings before fleeing.^[21]

Shang-Chi sends written messages to Mister Negative, Lady Yulan, and Diamondback, challenging each of them to single combat for control of Chinatown. Just as Shang-Chi planned, this ends up pitting the three crime lords against each other, which keeps Chinatown further safe from gang violence.^[22]

Despite his successes, Shang-Chi's girlfriend Delilah Wang chastises him for his recklessness while Cage gathers Spider-Man, Danny Rand, She-Hulk, and Tombstone to confront Shang-Chi. The heroes arrive at the Society's headquarters just as the Inner Demons, Clan Yulan, and Hydra attack it; Shang-Chi escapes in the ensuing confusion. At the Ten Rings' seal, Shang-Chi encounters Feng and his turncoat sorcerers and defeats them after tricking them into releasing the Rings. After Chinatown is secured, Shang-Chi reconciles with Delilah before leaving to join Spider-Man and the other heroes.^[23]

In Battery Park, Spider-Woman infiltrates a Hydra-occupied building after posing as a worker. Diamondback, Narelle, and Green Mamba meet with Madame Hydra and her scientists. After crawling through the elevator vent, Spider-Woman is attacked by Hydra agents. Spider-Woman takes them down as Madame Hydra overhears the conflict and learns that Spider-Woman is in the building. Spider-Woman finds Diamondback, Madame Hydra, and Green Mamba escaping in a helicopter as she demands to know why Hydra is pumping drugs in New York City and what they did to her son Gerry. Green Mamba attacks Spider-Woman, who begins to fall from the helicopter.^[24]

Somewhere in New York City, Madame Web tries to get a ride before using her webs to catch Spider-Woman. Spider-Woman tells Madame Web about her son Gerry and how nobody remembers that he existed at the time when he was taken. As Spider-Woman plans to go after Diamondback again, Madame Web states that she is not doing it alone. As Spider-Woman arrives at a ship where Hydra has been operating in, she is confronted by Diamondback and Green Mamba. Diamondback states that Hydra has been recruiting talented children into their ranks, but is frustrated that they age so slowly. Green Mamba unmasks himself to be a grown-up Gerry Drew.^[25]

Green Mamba explains that he was kidnapped by Hydra and artificially aged into an adult via their Age-Acceleration Chamber during the time that Spider-Woman was severed from the Web of Life and Destiny. As Spider-Woman claims that Hydra brainwashed him and that she would never abandon him, Green Mamba denies that he was brainwashed and claims that he only fought Spider-Woman to get the opportunity that was offered to him by Hydra. As Spider-Woman tries to reason with Green Mamba, Diamondback attacks her from behind. Spider-Woman tries to rescue Green Mamba, but Captain Marvel stops her, stating that she is in no shape to fight.^[26]

Seven hours into the gang wars, Spider-Boy comes to the rescue of a police officer who is being attacked by a member of the Inner Demons. The police officer hears a dispatcher voice about the police need at Elizabeth and Houston due to Owl's gang being at large. As the police officer heads off, Spider-Boy gets a vision of Mr. Kaur outside of the F.E.A.S.T. building. Spider-Boy arrives to find Kaur on the ground as he tells them that the gang members wanted the F.E.A.S.T. building as their home base.^[27]

Spider-Boy advises Mr. Kaur to get somewhere safe and flag in some help to reclaim the F.E.A.S.T. building. Upon entering the F.E.A.S.T. building, Spider-Boy comes in on the Maggia gang members, who have found a rat in the building. After being unable to get some answers out of them, Spider-Boy looks for more of F.E.A.S.T.'s refuges as he runs into May Parker. More rats appear and swarm Spider-Boy as everyone else flees.^[28]

An unsuspecting Maggia member joins Spider-Boy and May in running from the rats. When the Maggia member tries to take control of the room, Spider-Boy subjects him to his paralyzing venom. Spider-Boy is told that he can stop the rats by broadcasting a high-pitched sound through the speakers. When he makes his way to the sound system, he finds that it has been trashed.^[29]

While trying to figure out what to do, Spider-Boy finds Christina Xu hiding in the room. They evacuate through the ventilation when two dogs break through. Christina helps Spider-Boy get to a sonar app that will help deal with the rats. They fall through the ventilation as the dogs and the rats corner them. Spider-Boy uses his paralyzing venom on one of the dogs as the other dog and the rats corner them. The animals flee, having been commanded by Vermin.^[30]

A.I.M. agents aligned with Madame Masque fight Big Ben Donovan's forces to claim his territory. With Paul Rabin providing a distraction, Mary Jane works to get people out of the crossfire. Paul contacts Jackpot, telling her that her tech has finished rebooting after it went offline. She and Paul make a risk removing the Jackpot costume's limiter as she fights Electro. When a bridge ends up broken, Jackpot goes to rescue the people while Electro escapes. Spider-Man advises Jackpot to get her tech gauntlet fixed before the final push to end the gang war.^[31]

Elektra is attacked by Bellona, who states that they have unfinished business. When Bellona falls off the building, Elektra tries to catch her only for Bellona to cut the rope. Afterwards, Elektra is contacted by Spider-Man who wants to meet with her as Elektra hopes that Bellona survived. Elektra later finds that Bellona's body disappeared from where it should have been on the ground.^[32]

Julia Gao meets with Luke Cage to inform her about Fisk's law being repealed and that the Cape-Killers must disband. Gao storms out and walks with a man named Brooks stating that she will have to find another way to protect the city. Later at Misty Knight's warehouse, Miles does a presentation to Misty Knight, Ms. Marvel, Shift, and Starling involving Rabble's weapon supplying to criminals as Miles plans to reason with her. Meanwhile, Gao finds Rabble and states to her that she wants to see the other side's perspective for once.^[33]

In the beginning of every issue, a map detailing the territories ruled by each crime lord in New York City is displayed and constantly updated each issue whenever ownership changes during the story. Territories liberated by Spider-Man and his allies are marked with spider symbols.^[34]

• Mott Haven, Bronx and Port Morris, Bronx were run by Big Ben Donovan until he lost control of them to the Menagerie off panel. The territories were later liberated by Spider-Man and his allies.
• East Harlem was run by Black Mariah. Beetle claimed Mariah's territory after her defeat.
• Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn was run by Bumbler until his defeat by Miles Morales and the Daughters of the Dragon.
• The Upper East Side was run by Crime Master with backup from A.I.M. until they were defeated by Spider-Man (Peter Parker) and Spider-Woman. Crime Master's vacant territory was later claimed by Shotgun for Madame Masque.
• Inwood, Manhattan, Morningside Heights, and Washington Heights, Manhattan were run by Diamondback until the Rose usurped them from him. After the Rose was taken away by the Hellfire Club soldiers on Wilson Fisk's orders, Beetle consolidated these territories to her own.
• Chinatown, Manhattan and Two Bridges, Manhattan were run by the Five Weapons Society until they were usurped by Madame Masque off panel.
• Brooklyn Heights, Dumbo, Brooklyn, and Vinegar Hill, Brooklyn were run by Frost Pharaoh until his defeat by Spider-Man (Miles) and the Daughters of the Dragon.
• Murray Hill, Manhattan and Turtle Bay, Manhattan were run by Hammerhead until Madame Masque incapacitated him. Hammerhead also ran Astoria, Queens with help from the Maggia until Madame Masque wrested control of the Maggia away from him, Count Nefaria, and Silvermane with Shotgun's help.
• Bushwick, Brooklyn, Greenpoint, Brooklyn, and Williamsburg, Brooklyn were run by Hobgoblin with assistance from Rabble until he was defeated by Spider-Man (Miles) and his allies.
• East Village, Manhattan, and Lower East Side were run by Lady Yulan until Madame Masque gained control of them after Clan Yulan was defeated by Shang-Chi.
• Financial District, Manhattan, Greenwich Village, and Tribeca were formerly run by Madame Masque and contested until claimed by Diamondback with backing from Hydra. Madame Masque regained these territories after Diamondback and his Hydra allies faced separate defeats to Spider-Woman and Shang-Chi.
• Midtown Manhattan, NoHo, Manhattan and Bowery were run by Mister Negative. Mister Negative first lost control of Midtown to Madame Masque offscreen and eventually his remaining territories to her after the Inner Demons were defeated by Shang-Chi.
• The Upper West Side was run by Owl until Madame Masque captured him and added his territories to her own.
• Randalls and Wards Islands were run by Ringmaster until he was defeated by Daredevil.
• Ridgewood, Queens was run by the Enforcers until Hobgoblin got them to side with him. Hobgoblin claimed the territory after the Enforcers were defeated by the Cape-Killers but lost them after his defeat by Spider-Man (Miles) and his allies.
• Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan was run by the Heat with assistance from Bellona until Tombstone claimed it after the end of the Gang War.
• Hunts Point, Bronx was run by the Menagerie until it was liberated by Spider-Man and his allies off panel.
• Chelsea, Manhattan was run by Rose until Madame Masque claimed it after he was taken away by the Hellfire Club soldiers on Wilson Fisk's orders.
• Harlem and South Bronx were formerly run by Tombstone and later contested until Beetle reclaimed them.

At the end of the Gang War, Tombstone claims all of New York City's territories as his, becoming the new Kingpin of New York's criminal underworld.

According to ComicbookRoundup, the entire event received an average rating of 6.8 out of 10 based on 104 reviews.^[35] Tim Rooney from Comicsbeat wrote "If this were Marvel Universe: Gang War, I could imagine giving this a recommendation. But for a story in Amazing Spider-Man, it is disappointing, and another example of how this title is held back by editorial and publishing demands to keep Peter Parker frozen in amber."^[36]