Peter and MJ in the present time begin to wrap up their conversation with what happened next at the House of Strange. We are told in flashback, (but Peter doesn't know any of this part so this is omniscient flashback narration) that Doctor Strange, Reed Richards and Tony Stark discuss whether or not to mindwipe the planet of Peter's secret identity. Since this is a flashback, Strange manages to convince them to help out. Strange casts a spell as well as a protective orb so that he alone will remember. (because apparently someone has to) We see that Peter risks getting mindwiped himself before he brings MJ into the orb. This is how MJ remembers that Peter is Spider-Man.

Now that his secret identity is safe, Peter and MJ should be back and better than ever right? WRONG. MJ feels that it's only a matter of time before someone finds out who he is and comes after him and MJ and their families (Because that's never happened before! Nope! Never ever!) and so she leaves him while he goes to see Aunt May recovering in the hospital.

Back in the present, MJ tells Peter that he should stop "waiting for something that isn't going to happen" and move on with his life. That someone special is out there waiting for him. (Hint "Carlie Cooper" Hint) Peter smiles and says that a huge weight has been lifted off of his shoulders. He swings through the night saying that his "best friend, the best person he's ever known...set me free."

At first I thought I would just let the story above be the review and to let the complete and utter crappiness speak for itself. But I know there are some who feel this story was either brilliant, good or otherwise fairly decent. So I will illustrate to you why I think this whole story arc and this issue in general rivals OMD in terms of its storytelling, character development, and overall tone.

In chronological order of the issue:

1) Doctor Strange, Tony Stark and Reed Richards playing Illuminati one last time to rid the world of the knowledge of Peter's identity. If it was that simple, if it was only a matter of Tony Stark "infecting the world" with his Extremis program and Strange doing his biddity-boppity- boo to take care of the rest, why didn't they think to do this sooner? Or Why didn't Peter think to do that? If he knew or figured Strange could do it, even by himself, why didn't he go to him in the first place?

2) Tony makes an excellent point in that Peter's own decisions (Revealing his identity, telling Tony to suck it and leaving, going on the lam) are his responsibility and he should face and deal with those consequences. A-frickin-men! The only reason he does this is because Stephen Stranges GUILTS him into it by saying that Tony's just butthurt that Peter stopped "believing in him" and it hurt his ego.

3) Why did we need this explained in such detail? We know that the mindwipe happens, who cares if Reed and Tony objected at first! You could've came in at the point where Reed goes technobabble about digigenetic viruses and the reader wouldn't be lost on it! (Maybe some of you would go, "but they just said yes? No questions asked?" Of course there'd be questions asked! We just didn't need to know about them! IT'S ENTIRELY POINTLESS!)

4) Once the deed is done, MJ begins wangsting about how being Spider-Man's girl is putting her family in danger. Um, why didn't you think of that sooner? You've been with him for twenty plus years real time and it's only NOW, after some no-name thug says he's going to whack your family, do you take this seriously? As though facing down things like demons, Venom, The Chameleon, Doc Ock, etc; didn't convince you of this already?

5) And don't think this got away unnoticed but why did Joe Quesada use his own art from OMD but put different dialogue? There is no excuse for that. Absolutely none. I don't give a crap if it's because it's late or because he wants to tie it in as one final reminder that OMD was "the best thing since sliced bread only you idiotic mopes can't see it because you're too obsessed with fictional characters and should grow up." Using fifteen pages from One More Day to drive the nail into the coffin of Peter and MJ's relationship is not only sadistic, but it's just flat out lazy. And you, Mr. Quesada, should be absolutely ashamed of yourself.

6) Mary Jane telling Peter that he's "been wondering, waiting for something that's never going to happen." The subtlety of this line is oh who am I kidding? That line is about as subtle as this review! MJ is parroting Joe Quesada's words to the fanbase by taking her character and making her into a complete and total twit! Another bit of subtlety here: "[MJ] set me free." Because marriage is known as "the old ball and chain", right, Joe? Your wife must be so glad to be married to such a wonderful, caring, devoted husband who thinks that every day with you is better than the day before!

7) How does this explain Harry coming back to life? Not a single point in this whole story arc does Harry come up. He isn't even mentioned! And what about Peter's extra powers from "The Other?" Where did they go? Why aren't they still around? We get NO explanation about this. And this was supposed to be the story that explains everything.

The art from Rivera isn't bad really, but Quesada continues to avatar Peter after himself in the panels of the present day.

Every line of dialogue in the penultimate scene comes off as forced, contrived and just plain stupid. This whole series as an arc didn't need to exist. There was no reason for this comic to be made. The reveal for the mindwipe could've been done in another issue. MJ being relegated to a scapegoat for making the deal behind Peter's back was unnecessary and down right petty, and her attitude through this whole thing shows that Joe Quesada hates the character of MJ because she has displayed time and again to be stronger than the character presented here!

Joe Quesada basically just flipped the middle finger to the entire fanbase of Amazing Spider-Man and some folks will still think he did a good job. I think that is possibly the worst of this whole sordid affair.