Summary

• Spider-Man faces a new enemy inspired by Five Nights at Freddy's in a chaotic pizzeria showdown.
• The animatronics are actually trying to warn Peter about a greater threat lurking in the shadows.
• Norman Osborn's eerie connection to the animatronics hints at a dark twist in Spider-Man's world.

Warning: Spoilers ahead for Free Comic Book Day Spider-Man & the Ultimate Universe #1!Horror is brought to the world of Five Nights at Freddy's. It's undeniable that the popular video game franchise by Scott Cawthon changed the face of horror when it debuted in 2014. With seven mainline games, various spin-offs, a movie and more, the series has become iconic for horror fans. Now, its influence has extended to the Marvel Universe as Spider-Man's latest foes share a lot in common with Freddy and friends.

In Free Comic Book Day Spider-Man & the Ultimate Universe #1, the first story in the collection, "Target: Peter Parker" by Zeb Wells and Ryan Stegman, features Peter on a date at a pizzeria called the Dough Chateau. It's immediately clear that the reservations are a set-up because of Peter's confusion with the arrangements. He claims he earned them from a mysterious website and thought it would be for something fancier. Suddenly, the animatronics from the main stage recognize Peter and throw the pizzeria into chaos as they attack.

From the ridiculous names of the animatronics to the surprising amount of violence, it's clear that Five Nights at Freddy's was a huge inspiration for this story. However, the parallels with the horror franchise's lore feature some pretty interesting connections.

Spider-Man's Animatronic Enemies Aren't the Real Threat

There's a Deeper Cause for the Horrific Chaos

The animatronics have actually been trying to warn Peter of a greater threat, claiming, "Y-you are his target..." before being shut down.

What's interesting about this story is how it subverts what readers would expect when Spider-Man comes face-to-face with a dangerous new enemy. The Dough Chateau animatronics are clearly labeled as the villains with their red eyes and destructive tendencies. Spider-Man even needs to resort to punching their circuits in to contain the chaos. However, when the leader of the robots, Calzone Raton, approaches him, he reveals that there's been a giant misunderstanding. The animatronics have actually been trying to warn Peter of a greater threat, claiming, "Y-you are his target..." before being shut down.

Surprisingly, this parallels the actual Five Nights at Freddy's lore, since the animatronics in that franchise house the souls of angry children searching for their killer, William Afton. Freddy Fazbear and his group completely differ from the Dough Chateau crew since they kill whoever is caught in their crosshairs, including the player. However, the underlying message stays the same as they both try to expose and destroy a greater enemy that's causing more harm.

Norman Osborn is Hinted to Be Marvel's William Afton

The Green Goblin Just Became the Green and Purple Guy

The closing pages of the story feature a brief epilogue where Norman Osborn is informed that the code that controlled the animatronics was the same that attacked Oscorp's servers, confirming that the unidentified hacker is trying to reach Peter Parker. With a sly smile, he tells his assistant, "It looks like we got here just in time." The cold look on Osborn's face is a strong indication that he's the villain the animatronics were trying to warn Peter about. This suggests that Norman Osborn could be seen as Marvel's William Afton, and with his murderous background, including return as the Green Goblin.

It's interesting to see how, in the 10 years since the game's original launch, Five Nights at Freddy's continues to influence other properties with its unique premise. Now, Marvel has officially ed the phenomenon with its own take on the concept. Plus, based on the design and execution of Spider-Man's horrific foes, it's clear the creators have done the franchise justice with its engaging references and parallels that can delight both Marvel and Five Nights at Freddy's fans alike.

Free Comic Book Day Spider-Man & the Ultimate Universe #1 is available now from Marvel Comics.