The article “Don’t screw this up, Marvel” from The Verge (published August 4, 2026) celebrates Spider-Man: Brand New Day’s $1 billion worldwide box office debut, highlighting Sony’s reluctance to relinquish Spider-Man rights and praising Marvel Studios’ savvy deal for integrating the character into its films. However, despite this stellar success, the broader MCU has endured a slump over recent years, suggesting that Spider-​Man’s triumph may not fully resolve Marvel’s larger challenges.

One major claim is that Brand New Day proves Sony won’t let go of Spider-Man, implying the film’s success validates ongoing collaborations. Yet, the article overlooks that Sony might be motivated by revenue rather than passion for the character, potentially leading to inconsistent storytelling or franchise fatigue. After all, if Sony can milk a cow until it’s dry, why bother with new adventures?

Another assertion is that Marvel was smart to strike its deal, positioning Spider-Man as a linchpin for MCU revitalization. However, the article doesn’t consider whether other characters could have similarly rescued the MCU, such as Guardians of the Galaxy or WandaVision’s unique timelines. Perhaps Marvel overestimated Spider-Man’s panacea status, especially if his solo outings pale compared to ensemble performances.

The article also suggests that while Brand New Day was excellent, it may not signal Marvel’s full return to glory. Yet, it doesn’t explore whether the film’s success stems from nostalgia or genuine innovation—did audiences flock simply because they love Spider-Man, or because the movie refreshed the formula? Without distinguishing between fond memories and fresh execution, the MCU’s future remains uncertain.

Lastly, the slump in the past few years is noted but not deeply analyzed. Was it due to over-reliance on sequels, pacing issues, or Marvel’s own hype machine? The article could have dissected specific films—like Captain America: Civil War vs. Thor: Ragnarok—to pinpoint where the MCU lost its edge. Without such granularity, the critique of Marvel’s trajectory feels broad rather than targeted.

In sum, while Spider-Man: Brand New Day shines brightly, the article cleverly roasts Marvel for possibly over-relying on one hero to rescue an entire universe—much like a single ingredient can’t save a bland soup. The MCU might still be simmering, awaiting more spices and varied plots to truly heat things up again.