OK maybe he does want you to see it, considering that this video was shown to a packed house at SDCC ’26 during the Marvel Fanfare panel. Newly announced Marvel editor in chief Stephen Wacker appeared with departing EIC CB Cebulski to crack jokes and talk about a few upcoming projects, such as the Marvel-Kadowkawa collab that Cebulski will oversee. But to introduce audiences to Waker’s particular brand of humor, this video from about 16 years ago, shows Wacker “auditioning” for the ill-fated Spider-Man Turn off the Dark Broadway musical.
That epic disaster featured a book by Glen Berger, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, and theater icon Julie Taymor who also directed, with music by Bono and the Edge. Despite the star studded creative team and a sky-high budget, the musical was plagued by problems, including injuries to several performers, a complete revamp after it bombed in previews, and other mishaps that have become theater legend. (Some of it recounted by Brian Michael Bendis in his own graphic novel about the musical, Fortune and Glory.) Perhaps the main problem with the original concept was that it was more about his foe, a spider woman with shoes styuck to her dress, than about Peter Parker. Oops. Star REeve Carney did the best he could and has somehow survived the ordeal.
While the origins of Wacker’s audition video aren’t known to this reporter, Wacker has some comedy and theater in his own background, and honestly, the original show was such a bomb that he wouldn’t have been the worst thing in the show.
In the video, Wacker is shown showing his singing and swinging chops – former Marvel and DC editor Jeanine Schaefer makes a cameo appearance as well. People have greeted Wacker’s arrival as EIC by repeatedly saying “he’s so funny!” – depending on your tastes, this video might just prove that.
