Pick of the Week
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Size: pages
Price: 2.99
If you had told me one year ago, that The Amazing Spider-Man would be a book that I was not only reading on a regular basis, but one that I was enjoying immensely, I would have laughed. I know that’s a cliched way to start a review that is, but in this case it’s totally true. It’s hard to believe that just about one year ago, we were finally coming out of “One More Day,” and the horrific destruction of all things holy with Spider-Man by J. Michael Staczynski and Joe Quesada, and easing into this new status quo of a kinda weekly book with multiple creators. When the changes happened, I am man enough to admit that I was skeptical. I’ve had my on again/off again relationship with Spider-Man, so I wasn’t really emotionally connected to the book. Rather it was an opportunity for Marvel to impress me with their flagship character. One year later, they absolutely have.
It doesn’t hurt to have John Romita Jr. doing pencils for you. I remember when he was working on Spider-Man for what seemed like forever (along with JMS), and he moved off that book to try something different. We got some interesting work (like The Sentry, The Eternals etc.) but nothing ever really utilized Romita Jr.’s skills the way Spider-Man did, if you ask me. So when he returned to the title a few story arcs ago, it was a sight to behold and it’s just been getting better. Romita Jr. is really one of the greats in comics right now, and Spider-Man is like throwing a fat fastball right down the middle to him. He’s able to portray the action and the story, both fights and just people talking, in such a way that it’s the closest thing that I can think of when talking about the “Marvel Style”, at least how it exists today.
So with Romita Jr. at the drawing board, you’d think a good comic is a lock, yet it’s not just art, but writing. The Spidey braintrust has woven elaborate plot threads that have been ongoing for a year and never felt stale or overwhelming to keep track of. This story arc, Marc Guggenhim gets the honor of delivering the story that has been built up for the better part of the year and I have to admit, it’s keeping me on the edge of my seat as I read it week in and week out.
The mayoral race is coming to a head, so tensions are running high in New York City. There’s a serial killer on the loose, and he’s using Spider-Man’s spider tracers as a calling card. Spider-Man just had his ass handed to him last issue and he’s hurting. Harry Osborn just proposed to his girlfriend. There’s a goblin-esque villain on the loose called Menace. AND it looks as if Peter’s roommate, who is a cop, could be spider-tracer serial killer! I told you there were a lot of plot threads going on. But never once has this book been hard to follow or bogged down by continuity or the ongoing storylines. That takes talent my friends.
This issue has a big reveal issue combined with a big cliffhanger. We find out who Menace is, and I have to admit, they had me thinking it was clearly one person, and were able to switch it up on me and surprise me as to Menace’s identity (no I’m not going to spoil it here…). They also were able to spin the serial killer storyline in a way that went from tedious to incredibly interesting very quickly. There was also a ballsy cliffhanger, placed subtlety near the end, as Spider-Man passes out from being injured during his fight with Menace, only to be woken by the police as he’s being shackled and read his rights. Spider-Man got caught! Instantly I turned into a 10 year old, shocked b y the turn of events, wondering, totally sincerely, “How is he going to get out of this one?” That is how a Spider- Man comic should be written.
I don’t know how they’re doing it over at Marvel, but they’re not only making a damn good Amazing Spider-Man book, but one that I care about, that I excitedly anticipate on Wednesday. It’s been a long time since I’ve been this gung-ho about Spider-Man, so I’m impressed. I don’t know if its editor Steve Wacker, or the braintrust of writers, or the immensely talented artists, but somehow it’s all coming together and kicking ass.
So keep it up, boys. One year later, and I’m on board and literally can’t wait for next issue.
Ron Richards
I bet you thought it was gonna be Darkhawk
ron@ifanboy.com
I really thought it would be Darkhawk……No I’m not kidding.
This is all well and good but let me ask you this Ron: Was there any Huey Lewis reference in this issue?
No? Well then it’s not worthy of POTW status….unlike my pick for Deadpool #7…….I’m a whore.
for a sec i thought ron forgot he had the potw.
good review Ron.
that is so true about Romita Jr. working best on Spider-man. Maybe it is a conscience or sub-conscience attempt on his part because his father also did his best work on that title
Best part about current Spiderman: Letters page. That combined with Romita Jr.s almost old fashioned but streamlined art really makes this feel like an old school spidey comic. I wonder If Jansons inks had anything to do with my enjoyment level…
I gasped at the end of this issue. It played me like a fiddle. I had no idea.
This issue and the Bishop mini were opposites for me, didn’t like the story in Spidey but the art was unbelievable, while Stroman’s art made it tough to enjoy the story of a character i’m loving right now, still both issues were blown out of the water by the return of Bart Allen and the awesome green lantern moments in legion of three worlds, easily my pick
I thought the pick would be Darkhawk too, but only because Darkhawk was awesome.
I haven’t finished my stack yet but between this and Secret Warriors it’s going to be tough to pick my POTW
Since this was the only book I picked up this week it’s my default POTW, but it definitely deserves it. With the darkness and gloom and everyone seemingly getting their asses kicked physically or emotionally it was a great book. I think the aspect of JRJR’s art that I really like is that he does "raggedy" very well. Spider-Man’s costume, his webbing, the falling scaffolding, even the buildings…it all added to the feel of the book.
Great pick, Totally agree. I feel like it says something good about the story when having to wait just a week or two for the next part feels like forever…. I’m sure the Menace origin story will be good next week, but I’m dying to see how this turns out.
I didn’t have any great books this week, but they were all solid. I just caught up with the ‘Agents of Atlas’ miniseries (this is a GREAT TPB, folks; it not only has the original six issues but reprints of all the older comics that inspired it; it’s nerd treasure trove) — and I thought the first issue of the ongoing was right on track. Jeff Parker can do no wrong these days (the first issue of X-Men First Class: finals was also adorable).
My pick of the week was ‘Iron Fist,’ though, just because I had the most fun with it. I love how Swierczy’s taking concepts from the Fraction/Brubaker series and running with them.
@ohcaroline: ‘Jeff Parker can do no wrong’
…..Guess you didnt read ‘Age of Sentry’?
I can’t wait for the next issue of Spider-Man, partly because I think there may still be one more surprise left in Menace’s secret identity. Although if Menace does turn out to be who he seems to be at the end of this issue, I want it entered into the record that a seven-year-old called it back in October:
http://kidscomicbooks.blogspot.com/2008/10/amazing-spider-man-573.html
I read that review and thought, "My God, he’s right! That’s brilliant!" Then I thought, "I am dumber than a seven-year-old."
"My prediction is that she is Menace Goblin because they both have long hair and she knows where Goblin equipment is. And Menace uses a gun and sometimes girls like guns. You’ll see I’m right."
I like you can attribute that to pure luck as much as you can deductive reasoning, Jimski. Your intellect is safe.
I like to think*
Great pick Ron.
I remember when I hopped on ASM. It was when the second issue of the Marcos Martin/Dan Slott arc with the Paper Doll villain was POTW.
@TheNextChampion I wasn’t that interested in the Age of the Sentry concept, but I thought the one issue of it I bought was well-done, yes.
@ohcaroline: ‘But I thought the one issue of it I bought was well-done, yes’.
You do know it was a five part mini right? 🙂
@TheNextChampion Yes, I bought one issue because I like the writers and artists involved; I didn’t keep buying it because the concept wasn’t interesting to me. I’m not sure how much more I can explain this.
I loved this issue. I think Guggenheim’s the best writer on this book, the only one to properly mix the old-school feel with a modern sensibility. A lot of Slott’s and even Waid’s stuff can feel a little off to me. Good but still not right.
Anyways, these pencils are amazing. The inking is nicely lighter than a lot of what’s done on Romita’s stuff. Beautifully brings out the details. Love it!
you know what i love? people who like to internet fight. it makes everyone involved a little dumber.
Secret Warriors was my pick. beat out even deadpool
Great review Ron!!
I tend to put my favorite/most anticipated comics at the bottom of my stack and save them for the end. But lately with Spider-Man I’ve had trouble waiting. And after seeing you choose it as your POTW, I simply could not wait. And next week I know I’ll probably read it right in the shop. Leaving us hanging with three (sort of) cliffhangers is both brillant and brutal!!
@ohcaroline: I just never heard anyones said they like the book (or thought it was ‘well done’) but didnt buy the rest of it cause it didnt interest you…..There’s so many contradictions in those statements it makes my heard hurt.
@TheNextChampion I’m actually of the opinion that there are more good and welldone things out there than I have the time and money to devote to them. That may be a minority opinion, I don’t know.
my POTW is Scott Pilgrim guess that cant be rons cuz he picked spidy and it is the book of the month
I agree with Caroline entirely. I don’t have the time or money to read or experience every good thing out there. Sometimes, things are good, but they’re not necessarily my taste.
*wimpers* Really? Then how will I waste my money now if they arent my taste?
Just wanted to say that Spider-Man this week was an amazing (pun intended) read. It was just inched out by Locke & Key for my POTW.
my POTW was Bad Dog, mainly because I shiver everytime I hear the word damp now.
I call bullshit. However, I was going to call bullshit regardless of what was POW if I didn’t see a Scott Pilgrim twofer at the top of the page.
@Next Champ–Age of Sentry is fantastic! Laugh out loud awesome over the top silver age satire.
@TNC
You’ve never admired something for craft that you disliked or were ambivalent to on a content level? The Sentry was cool as shit when I first heard/read about him, but he just got, umm, tiring, which tints how we look at everything he’s involved in.
As for Spider-Man, I wish it was someone else. They kind of telegraphed this one. It was a well done issue, though, and I’m definitely on board for the tracer plot.
@kndoubleu… you felt like this was telegraphed??? I was totally blindsided, and I’m still not really convinced that they’re not gonna pull another switheroo on us before this is all sorted out. tracer plot is definitely getting really interesting
I knew Harry wasn’t Menace, the build-up for him was way too obvious throughout the run, but I would have never guessed that it was really "___________"! I’m very interested to read about Menace’s origin next issue. Can’t wait for the tracer killer plot to be fully explained too. I know a few people that jumped this title because of OMD and even though I keep telling them that they’re missing out, they’re still boycotting it. Their loss….
Yeah, just reading New Ways to Die, I was going "They better not make this Harry." Typically, I’d discount such an obvious suspect, but after the Skrull in the Avengers turned out to be, in fact, Spider-Woman, I don’t put it past Marvel to just do the obvious.
*lightbulb* Wait, wait, wait… sooo… Norman Osborn, the current king of everything, not a few months ago was soundly beaten up by [_________]?
AAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!
*deep breath*
AAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!
@Tork:…Can I laugh with you cause I got the gist of what you mean with that comment. 🙂
That is pathetic for Norman in so many ways…
‘i am legion’ was fan-bloody-tastic. pick it up if you get a chance, boys and girls
I would be buying this book if it came out monthly. I’m glad to hear that its still good. I only ever really buy it when Marcos Martin is drawing it. Maybe if I win the lottery I could afford to buy this thrice weekly.
I agree with Neb. I miss reading this book, but just can’t afford to pick it up 3 times a month. Glad to hear people are enjoying it though. Spider-Man should always be a good read.
I’m cutting back on my books, but I won’t be dropping this one anytime soon. It may be quite a commitment as its out 3 times a month, and then there are the occassional ‘extra’ issues, but its consistently good comics. It’s rarely my pick, but that’s probably because its so regular and consistent that I take it a little too much for granted! Shame on me!
OK, you’ve got me convinced. I’ll buy this book once again. I have to admit, I’ve been tempted to pick it up again in the past, but like many others, I was feeling bitter about this book. Perhaps bygones should be bygones.
The "it comes out too often" angle is interesting. I never even think about it. Actually, when it didn’t come out last week, I caught myself getting impatient before thinking, "It comes out 36 times a year, nitwit. Must they bleed on the page for you?"
@limegintonic, Bygones should absolutely be bygones. Holding a grudge with them because they stopped printing bad stories in favor of good ones is a misuse of precious bitterness.
@Jimski, You’re definitely right, but a lot of us are still on the "we like BND but OMD was the dumbest thing to ever happen in our comic-reading lifetimes" line of thought. The stories might be great, but it’s harder to enjoy them when you don’t know if suddenly they’ll disappear. ESPECIALLY for those of us who liked JMS and the Parker family.
This was a stellar issue. Kudos to the braintrust for keeping me guessing about Menace’s identity until the beginning of this issue.
I’m a Spidey nut, so regardless of whether it’s great or just good, I’m always onboard. Glad it’s been great, and REALLY glad they’re getting JRJr. for the bigger arcs.