Comic Review: The Amazing Spider-Man #16.1

The Amazing Spider-Man #16.1: After a months long journey around the multiverse rounding up different versions of himself, fighting endless battle after battle, and trying to figure out a way to end the insanity of the Inheritors and get home, it's over. Spider-Man is back home and relaxing...until a gang war starts brewing.
The Good: Writer Gerry Conway (yes, for real!) returns to give Dan Slott a slight break and to give us a street-level Spider-Man story like only he can!! This is why Spider-Man is such a fantastic character. He can go from huge cosmic crossover one week to an awesome gangster story the next and it's all totally natural and not forced or out of place in the least. Thank you Gerry! All the classic Spider-Man bits are there. Spidey catches Tombstone red-handed, but he goes free on a technicality. He tries to get concrete evidence, but something goes wrong. This issue is just filled with classic Spider-Man goodness. And did I mention that Carlo Barberi does the art? It's SOOOO good!
The Bad: Surprisingly, there was ZERO Peter Parker in this issue, and I really couldn't figure out why. Maybe he's coming in future issues in this story, at least I hope he is. I miss Gerry writing Peter. Other than that, no major problems with this issue at all!
The Verdict: Don't you DARE miss this issue!! Seriously, this is the single best issue of Spider-Man in a while!
One a side note, I realize that I forgot to review Amazing Spider-Man #16! I'm hoping to get that corrected sometime before next Wednesday. Sorry about that.

Amazing Spider-Man Special #1 Review

The Amazing Spider-Man Special #1: Inhuman Error part 1: Just when Spidey thinks everything is back to normal, the sky almost actually starts falling. There's a bunch of animal-beings (that should be right up Spidey's alley) attacking the Inhuman city of Attilan, and the lovely Medusa asks Spider-Man for his assistance. Spider-Man, who's SUPER desperate for a date, accepts. Doesn't he know that Medusa is kinda married to Black Bolt? I guess, when you gotta have it, you gotta have it.
The Good: I was super impressed by the writing in this issue. Jeff Loveness does a really good job on the characters, and the over all story in general. When you're doing a big three part crossover like this, it's a really tough balancing act because you don't want to cram too much story into one part, only to have another part be a little light when it comes to story. In my opinion, this issue has the perfect amount of story, and it ends on a pretty good cliffhanger. Also, the art by Luca Pizzari is pretty great. He has a special talent for drawing facial expressions.
The Bad:Despite how good the story and characterization is, there's a little too much cracking wise from Spider-Man this issue. It's not quite what I'd call "annoying". but after awhile, it get to be a bit much.
What you should do: You need to buy this one. Once you read this, you'll be in for the whole 3 part story, and it looks to be pretty good.

Spider-Man's Amazing Friends Review: Spider-Gwen #2

Spider-Gwen #2: Spider-Gwen has what I refer to as "super hero hangover". That's what happens when a super hero gets the crap kicked out of them so bad that they end up feeling hung-over the next day, and wallowing around feeling terrible, sorry for themselves and shamed. You know, like having an honest to God hangover. Add to this, some heavy stuff with Captain Stacey, a cartoon pig, and you've got a pretty jam packed issue!
The Good: There's a LOT going on this issue, but guess what? It's never overwhelming or confusing or tough to follow or unbelievable in the least. Gwen wakes up on a garbage barge after battling The Vulture and she's pretty beat-up. Luckily, Spider-Ham is there (not literally),to be her "Jiminy Crickett" and help her make some wise choices. Meanwhile, Captain Stacy is looking for his daughter and in the midst of that, he's got to deal with officer Frank Castle, Jean DeWolff, and The Kingpin. A lot of familiar characters from the 616 Marvel Universe show up, all in unfamiliar rolls. It's a fresh change of pace and is really quite entertaining.
The Bad: This is a tough one. I mean, NO comic is perfect, right? Well, if you find anything wrong with this issue, drop me a line and let me know. I enjoyed the whole thing from cover to cover.
The Verdict: Snap it up! Between Jason LaTours writing and Robbi Rodriguez's excellent artwork, this is a hell of an awesome comic!

Spider-Man's Amazing Friends Review: Spider-Woman #5

Spider-Woman #5: In case you've been living under a rock, yes, this is the issue where Jessica gets a new costume, a new status quo, a new artist, prett much a new everything. Jessica, having just quit the Avengers, tries to return to a "normal" super-hero life by helping regular people and not having to deal with cosmic threats and universe-ending events every other day. Um...I guess nobody told her about Secret Wars?
The Good: Actually, there's a lot of great stuff this issue. I have to admit, I didn't really feel a new costume for Jess was necessary or "long over-due", but seeing the new costume in something besides publicity pics, made me realize that this new costume is really cool. It's got everything a new costume should have. It's modern, yet timeless, and it's instantly recognizable as the the hero that you know. At first glance, you know it's Spider-Woman, and that's the best and most important part. Besides the costume, Jess's new status quo is a lot of fun. She returns to her old stomping grounds,..and let's just leave it at that. I don't want to spoil anymore than I all ready have.
The Bad: There's a supporting cast member that's introduced, who's not a new face at all, just new to Jessica Drew. I have to be honest, I really wish it was a brand new character. This person brings a lot of baggage to the book, and I mean a LOT, and if he stays around, things are going to get complicated. This character is not your typical "Doctor Watson" and I hope his history doesn't overtake Jess.
What You Should Do: BUY THIS ISSUE!!!! Dennis Hopeless is quickly becoming one of my favorite writers, and the art of Javier Rodriguez is a total home run! I went into this book expecting disappointment, but was VERY happily surprised when I get into the book. It's a total thrill ride from start to finish. I really think I'm going to enjoy this series, and I bet you are too.