I have seen this described as “like a Marvel comic from twenty years ago”. I would say no, more like 35. This book does have a “Marvel Team-Up” vibe. I like that. It fells more MTU than OMD, BND and O.M.I.T. so for me, yea!
Having it carrying the “Shadowland” banner may make perfect sense down the road, I won’t knock points for that. Shang-Chi’s portrayal here earns major points, kudos to Dan Slott for that. He is acting very much like I expect. Mister Negative proves to be a very well suited nemesis for the “Master of Kung-Fu”. Spidey is in his element in this book. This is a comic that is clearly taking place in the NYC of Marvel mythos.
The best thing this book did was remove a bit of apprehension about “Big Time”. It also has me in a bit of a state waiting for the next “Secret Avengers” arc.
IMO if you get this, get it as a prelude of good things to come, not a “essential” chapter of “Shadowland”. Or maybe just out of nostalgia for the old MTU Spidey tales. For guys my age maybe put on some Boston or Styx and pull out an old ringer T-shirt too. I will almost bet after reading this, if you own any old Moench/Gulacy era MOKF you will be re-reading them.
I know this is short on details but I hesitate purposely. This isn’t so much an individual tale as a prelude. But don’t let that hold you back.