Comic Review: Amazing Spider-Man #18

Amazing Spider-Man #18
Written by Dan Slott & Christos Cage
Pencils by Humberto Ramos
Inks by Victor Olazaba
Colors by Edgar DelGado
Letters by Chris Eliopoulos
-The final battle for Parker Industries finally gets settled in this final issue! Spidey battles The Ghost, who's out to destroy Parker Industries and in the meantime he's got to contend with Sajani, Anna Maria, and the rest of the Parker Industries employees. But, turns out, they're pretty well skilled at taking care of themselves.
The Good: Even though Peter's never had his own mega-million dollar science company, this whole situation reminds me of a typical Spider-Man scenario. Spidey's fighting for his life, trying to protect his friends, and meanwhile, there's some heavy stuff happening across home that he doesn't know about that he's gonna need to take care of. This issue is actually almost 2 stories, the first is the third part of "Trade Secrets", while the second one is the final chapter in the Black Cat story "Nothing Left to Loose". Both stories are really solid, but........
The Bad: This doesn't exactly feel like an ending. AT. ALL. The first story is more of a pause in the story than a definite ending, and the end of second story is pretty much a beginning. Seriously. Now, this would be fine if this was a "normal" issue, but it's the final issue of the series. Well, almost. In 2 weeks we get issue 18.1, which is the final part of the Spiral story by Gerry Conway. Anyway, Secret Wars has started, which promises to change EVERYTHING, but this book really feels like it's taking a four month break and then it'll be back, without missing a beat. Bottom line, it would've really been easy to end this story better, and I was a little disappointed that it didn't.
What you should do: I know it sounds like I didn't like this book, but I'm saying buy it. For the most part I did like it, I just think it should've ended differently. Aside from that, it's a really good issue!

Comic Review: Amazing Spider-Man #17.1

The Amazing Spider-Man #17.1
Written by Gerry Conway
Pencils by Carlo Barberi
Inks by Juan Vlasco
Colors by Israel Silva
Letters by VC's Joe Caramagna
Assistant Editor: Devin Lewis
Editor: Nick Lowe
-The battle for control of the underworld continues!! This issue pits Hammerhead against The Goblin King for control of Tombstone's "territory". While Spidey tries to deal with the chaos that's broken out over the criminal underworld, he's also got The Wraith to deal with, who's turned out to be a little more....aggressive than she should be!
The Good: Almost everything!!!! Stories like this is why I love Spider-Man, and boy, have I missed them! Sure, big sweeping epics are always nice and fun to read, but there's something to be said about "smaller" stories like this one. Not to say that this story isn't important, but the threat here is much less cosmic and world-ending than what we've had in recent years. Yes, the threats are real and you feel a sense of danger for Spider-Man, but again, the worst that can happen is that someone gains control of the criminal organizations that "run" New York, and then eventually Spidey will have to deal with that. There's some great stuff here. I have to admit, I'm a huge mark for Hammerhead and to see him a main character in this story is fantastic. On a funny side note, with Marvels "no smoking" policy, seeing him pop a piece of gum all the time is almost laugh out loud funny.
The Bad: There was only one thing that bothered me in this issue. During the course of the issue, Spider-Man has to fight Hammerhead inside a steal cage, and Hammerhead makes the comment "I've always wanted you somewhere nice & tight, where you couldn't jump around!". The only problem? There's no top on the cage. Spidey could just "web" right outta there! OK, I know it's really nit-picky, but it just didn't make sense to me. Other than that, I couldn't find anything wrong with this awesome issue.
What you should do: BUY IT!!!! It's awesome!!! Needless to say, I'm really enjoying this mini-series withing a series, and you will to!!

Want some more Spider-Man/Gerry Conway awesomeness? This month, I'm suggesting that you pick up Essential Spider-Man Volume 6. Some great stuff in this trade and some of my favorite stories. Classic!!

Comic Review: Amazing Spider-Man #17

The Amazing Spider-Man #17
Written by Dan Slott & Christos Gage
Art by Humberto Ramos
Inks by Victor Olazaba
Colors by Edgar Delgado
Letters by Chris Eliopoulos
Assistant Editor Devin Lewis
Editor: Nick Lowe
-Things are somewhat back to normal for Peter Parker. Except for the fact that Alchemax has hired The Ghost to break in and destroy Parker Industries. And, his Aunt May still thinks he's dating Anna Maria. And, he's gotta go on the defense to hide his secret identity from Sajani while trying to save her and everyone else that works at Parker Industries' lives. So yeah, for Peter Parker it's back to business as usual.
The Good: SOOOO much! We're back to some classic Spidey stories here, folks. Spider-Man's balancing his civilian life with his superheroics, he's struggling to keep his civilian life intact, unbeknownst to him, he's got both super villains and people in his life plotting against him, and that's just in the first half of the book! Yes, I loved Spider-Verse, but honestly, I never felt danger for the character in that storyline like I did here. In the back of my mind, I knew Spidey was going to make it back to the 616 OK. Here, even though I know Peter's NOT going to die, while reading this book, I really got emotionally invested in whether or not Peter was going to make it out of every cliffhanger that he gets put in or not(and believe me, there's about 3 cliffhangers on every page). I really do think Spider-Man works best as a street level character. Sure, I've enjoyed him in out space adventures and giant crossovers, but my favorite Spidey stories are the ones like this one, where he's fighting for both his lives in good old New York City.
The Bad: While this isn't a complaint about this particular issue, I think I'm ready for a change of status quo for Spider-Man. Or rather, Peter Parker. It's clear that he's in way over his head running his own company and it'll only be a matter of time before the good old "Parker luck" kicks in and something happens to it. Where ever Slott decides to take the character next, I'm all for it. I feel like he's living in the shadow of Doc Ock/Superior Spider-Man, and Peter deserves better.
What you should do: GRAB IT!!! On Wednesday, none of this "waiting for Saturday" crap. Get up, get out and get to your local comic store. Wait. I just realized I never even addressed the Black Cat back-up story. I'll write a separate review after the 2 part story has wrapped up, but here's the verdict: It's awesome.

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.