Chef José Andrés Enters the Marvel Universe in Spider-Man: Meals to Astonish #1

Spider-Man’s usual fare leans casual, but in a new comic from Marvel, Peter Parker takes a fine dining detour to meet a real-life hero—chef José Andrés. Released March 11, Spider-Man: Meals to Astonish #1 leads with a one-shot from writer Steve Orlando and artist Roi Mercado. “Great Seats, Great Responsibility” sees Spider-Man face off against Electro alongside Andrés, a lifelong comics fan and founder of World Central Kitchen (WCK), a nonprofit that’s served more than 500 million meals to communities in crisis.

The one-shot marks the second work of Orlando’s to feature Andrés. The two first met while collaborating on the 2023 nonfiction graphic novel Feeding Dangerously, which traces Andrés’ path to forming WCK. In preparation for the book, Orlando spent time on the ground with Andrés and WCK volunteers assisting communities in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael. (He later took inspiration from the experience to create the Avengers Emergency Response Squad.)

Orlando notes that some of Andrés’ lines in Meals to Astonish sprang from real conversations he and the chef have had over the years. “If you talk to him long enough, inevitably something iconic is going to come out of his mouth,” he told Wine Spectator. “It just happens.”

Spider-Man and chef Andrés team up to take down Electro in this one-shot story. (Courtesy of Marvel Comics)

On assignment from the Daily Bugle, Parker swings by the opening of a fictional restaurant within Andrés’ Mercado Little Spain called Noción (Spanish for “notion”). It’s a concept that’s unlikely to break ground in real life; Noción is Andrés’ take on what one of his cutting-edge destinations might look like in a universe that includes parallel worlds, pantheons of gods and a talking duck.

“Coming up with the idea for the restaurant, [Andrés] was a huge asset,” said Orlando. “The onus in comics is to ask, ‘What can we do that is bigger, wilder, that can only be done in comics?’” But recognizable plates still pass through the dining room, including Andrés’ iconic liquid olive.

Posing a question familiar to Marvel fans—”What if … ?”—to drive culinary innovation, Noción is also a nod to the way WCK broadens the possibilities of what can be accomplished through food. Defeating Electro isn’t the end of the story. As New Yorkers contend with the aftermath of the battle, Andrés calls in WCK for the same frontline support the organization’s volunteers offer around the world.

Andrés fans will recognize dishes including his liquid olive in Noción’s fictional dining room. (Courtesy of Marvel Comics)

In a story that centers on food but, beyond that, community food relief, Andrés and an everyman hero like Parker make an ideal pair. Orlando explains that, from the character’s debut, Parker’s relatability was revolutionary: “He was just like us. He never got the girl; he had bad luck. Always been the guy that could be next door.”

Superhero-superstar team-ups are a versatile vehicle. For Orlando, bringing Andrés into the Marvel Universe is less about having Spidey bump elbows with a celebrity and more about showcasing the chef and humanitarian’s perspective, one that’s unique in superhero stories.

“In a world where it’s common for people in bright costumes to bonk someone on the head, cause huge amounts of property damage and zip away, the idea that the burden is on you, as the helper, to meet those in need where they are is pretty radical,” said Orlando. “Yes, we have all the glitz, and we have the famous chef José Andrés. But what we really have is that idea—that notion—coming to the Marvel Universe. And I think that’s something that’s going to far outlive this.”

Beyond Andrés’ guest appearance, Meals to Astonish features a slew of other food-themed stories: T.E.S.T. Kitchen, from Marvel’s Infinity Comics; Jeff’s Table, with Jeff the Land Shark and chef Paul Carmichael; and a Spider-Ramen adventure by Ken Niimura. Characters such as the Hulk and the Daily Bugle’s new food critic also offer restaurant recommendations located in the Marvel Universe as well as in our own reality. (Spoiler alert: Kappo Sono, a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence winner, and Carmichael’s Kabawa are among the picks.)

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