AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #668 (SPIDER-ISLAND PART 2)

COMPOSED BY:

Writer: Dan Slott, Penciller: Humberto Ramos, Ink: Victor Olazaba, Colours: Edgar Delgado, Letterer: Joe Caramagna, Assistant Editor: Ellie Pyle, Editor: Stephen Wacker, Editor in Chief: Axel Alonso, Chief Creative Officer: Joe Quesada, Publisher: Dan Buckley, Executive Producer: Alan Fine. 

Story:

Spiderman is virtually useless in the battle that The Avengers and FF take part in to win back Manhattan from the Spiderman Imposters, but he soon takes to the sky as Peter Parker, a man that has newly acquired spider-man abilities like girlfriend Carlie, and with some help he brings about some peace, at least for the meantime.

Review:

Amazing Spider-man #668 is an enjoyable read that gives us that opportunity to see Peter Parker as a vulnerable and exhausted character who has lost his hindsight and connection with the world around him.

Manhattan is restored in Dan Slott’s story but this is only to make way for a much more exciting installment into the Spider-Island saga that has just taken flight. Slott turns the city on its head and into a panic that could have catastrophic consequences for all. But he sneaks in a little hope for us all and it is mighty fine gem indeed that he leaves us with.

Issue #668 plays on the value in Peter Parker’s past and present relationships, in Mary-Jane she gives Peter Parker back his perspective and helps him to realise how he can still help the city, but then Carlie has a way of mirroring just what Peter Parker must remain loyal to, a determined attitude to preserving life at all cost.

Didn’t particularly like this element in the issue, it distracted from the action and seems an inappropriate time to bring this into the mix. It does have some appropriateness to the story that I do acknowledge, but as a new direction for this series, it is not an avenue I want this comic to go down yet.

Humberto Ramos has come back to this series, and am happy to see his contributions once more, working well with artists Olazaba and Delgado to forge some really high grade art that can be found in this issue. It has that more cartoony and caricature look to it, but it gives a lighthearted touch to an otherwise grim perspective we are met with initially. Delgado has given this issue a more bright vision that is particularly nice and lifting, but I wanted to see more contrast between this, add a tad more darkness into the art to support the story.

Verdict:

Amazing Spiderman #668 is just average compared to what I have seen in this series. There is enough to keep you entertained and engaged with the story but it doesn’t inspire you to want to read much more. Felt like wasted time to be honest, not happy with the standard in this story arc at all.

RATING: 6.5/10

Amazing Spider-Man #667

Composed By:

Writer Dan Slott, Penciller: Humberto Ramos, Ink: Carlos Cuevas, Colours: Edgar Delgado, Letterer: Joe Caramagna, Assistant Editor: Ellie Pyle, Editor: Stephen Wacker, Editor in Chief: Axel Alonso, Chief Creative Officer: Joe Quesada, Publisher: Dan Buckley, Executive Producer: Alan Fine. 

Story:

Spider-Island begins with all manner of people exposed by The Jackal to a virus that gives them Spiderman powers and abilities, some of which are part of The Jackal’s scheme to defame the web-slinger and send the city into chaos.

Review:

Amazing Spiderman #667 shapes up to be a shocker, we see Manhattan thrown into disarray and chaos at the actions of The Jackal, Tarantula and Spider-King, all that contribute to the startling events that transpire within the pages.

Dan Slott has by far delivered a much more appetising story and series of plot in this issue, unlike last issue where it seemed to lack some grit and appeal. Slott provides us with something more substantial on both fronts, we see that things take a weird turn between Peter and Carlie and there is a shocking revelation that change their dynamic. But more impressively we see just how sudden the Spider-Island story has unfolded before our eyes. An epidemic has put the city on high alert, and we are thrown into the midst of action and mayhem, with an exciting twist that leaves us gasping for air at the end.

The only qualm I have with this issue is Madame Web, and her role in all the action. Sure, she has a great power to predict future and known the course of events to come but the often cryptic responses she gives are something I found to be undesirable and perhaps a little expendable. Otherwise, it was all well written and had no real aversion to anything.

Humberto Ramos takes his spot once more as the architect behind the art, and it is beautifully choreographed with some really astonishing panels contained within this. Ramos is joined by Carlos Cuevas, who does an exceptional job with the ink in this issue; it has a much more full and vividly illustrated look that is then conveyed masterfully by colourist Edgar Delgado, who with a more subtle hand paints a gorgeous scenic Manhattan city and some interesting storyboard sequences in the fight scenes.

Verdict:

Amazing Spiderman #667 is the start of something at could pan out well, but we’ll have to wait and see. It is certainly a more concrete and juicy issue than last one, and the action scenes are well developed and portrayed.

RATING: 7.2/10

Amazing Spider-Man #666

COMPOSED BY:

Writer Dan Slott, Artist: Stefano Caselli, Colours: Marte Gracia, Letterer: Joe Caramagna, Assistant Editor: Ellie Pyle, Senior Editor: Stephen Wacker, Editor in Chief: Axel Alonso, Chief Creative Officer: Joe Quesada, Publisher: Dan Buckley, Executive Producer: Alan Fine. 

Story:

Amazing Spiderman #666 unveils some secrets of the upcoming Spider-Island story, as Peter Parker is seen overly preoccupied, juggling duties as Spiderman; a team player in both The Avengers and FF, work and his girlfriend Carlie. We see just why people in Manhattan have begun to exhibit Spiderman’s powers, and we get a small taste of what will ensue now.

Review:

Amazing Spiderman #666 is an average issue; there are good moments that accentuate the pressure felt on him as his loyalties to Avengers, FF, and Horizon Labs impinge on his personal life, but these are all underdeveloped and don’t stand in the foreground long enough to take hold.

Writer Dan Slott does a really good job to work in all the nooks and crannies of Peter Parker’s life, particularly his new position amongst the Future Foundation, and how that is panning out for the web-slinger, but it seems the needed attention is not entirely felt. Sure, we see all aspects to his life but what does it amount to, not a lot. When you have so little space to explore it is hard to reflect on each properly, give it a proper measure of time to sink in and reflect; this is what is essentially missing.

Executed well in this issue is the way that Slott weaves a portrait of a life that is strained in a saddened devotion to preserving life and obligatory allegiance to others like The Avengers and FF. He plays around with the needs in Spiderman to save all, no matter the cost to himself, showing us just what toil it has taken on the web-slinger, and how saddened and misdirected his life is when all distractions are taken away.

“Spider-Island” is given its first moments in the spotlight this issue, and we see some of the plans made by The Jackal and Spider-King to take over the city. There is a glimpse into how it will take shape and exactly what is in store for us next issue, but it is all shrouded in mystery though, with a dark secret we have yet to discover.

Stefano Caselli provides some well-round artwork that stands out in this issue. It is nice to see some more fluid motion in the artwork and an attention to certain areas, like the city structures and expressive lines in the faces, as it presents a much more expressive piece for us, and makes the issue as a whole sit more concrete. I have liked his work in issues he’s done before; its got a more evocative feeling to it, and this is validated in moments towards the end.

Verdict:

Amazing Spiderman #666 is an alright issue, there are some quirky moments like the poker game with The Avengers but overall it’s an issue with very little plot progression and mostly just a sad insight into Peter Parker’s life and the crisis he is in.

RATING: 6.0/10

Amazing Spider-Man #653

Story:

Amazing Spiderman #653 brings the exciting events of the previous issue to a close, where Marc Gargan AKA Scorpion is upon the shuttle rigged to explode and kill J. Jonah Jameson’s son John, and Spiderman races the beat the clock and save him.

Review

Off to a marvelous start, and hits the ground running, this is a superb effort from writer Dan Slott who gives us such a great storyline and turn of events that marks yet a new chapter that is yet to begin. Bringing in the New Avengers to help Spiderman in his defeat of Spider-Slayer‘s evil insect swarm; Iron Fist, Luke Cage, The Thing, Ms Marvel, Jewel and Mockingbird kick some much needed ass and do so in a delightful manner.

Witty and exciting, the New Avengers break off into three teams and fight the insect cyborgs, soon to discover a dark truth behind these monsters and ingenious of Alistair Smythe – merging abilities similar to the spider-sense that Peter Parker has – into their suits, allowing them to predict and avoid attacks.

Honestly, the writing in this week’s comic was good, even great, but I’ve read other reviews that look at it questionably in regards to the handling of the Spiderman and Scorpion battle on the space shuttle and its seemingly rushed resolve.

Understandably, this is the case, but I’m willing to be lenient on this due to the fact that I see a much broader picture being constructed and a story of seismic proportions emerging from within. Dan Slott could have done better, I do agree, and its a tough job to criticise, because so far he can do no wrong in my books.

What I don’t see though is the odd pacing that IGN reviewer Jesse Schedeen writes, but definitely the execution of humour and banter is much improved and a noticeable change can be observed in the way the characters interact.

Hoping that Amazing Spiderman #653 doesn’t let up on this extraordinary turn and give us more than we get in this issue. Certainly, a remain an avid fan and a supporter of this series, but if I stop and think bout it for a while I can see the point to all the harsh criticism. Don’t give the people enough plot and story, and it goes stale quickly and the mood turns against you.

But if you reveal too much, then they will only say this should have been developed or simmered out over two or more issues to keep the suspense.

Don’t try to make comic book fans happy, it only leads to dissent. Either that, or they praise you tirelessly. But you shouldn’t take the risk. Probability is against you. Believe me, i’ve seen it. 

Artwork was engrossing and the colours just blow up in your face and dazzled you. Stored this one away for a while and didn’t even notice it was a different artist working on this instead of Humberto Ramos.

At the initial glance it wasn’t as noticeable but when I got stuck in I saw just how unique and amazing Caselli is.

Triumphing in a surge of bright and dancing shapes and blends, the work escapes your mind and reaches an ever expanding peak. Drawings that just take you away, draw you in near and then blow you away in a barrage of short sharp shocks that leave you feeling just shy of astonished.

Eagerly awaiting the next read knowing Venom is on his way.

So close to that spark that will project this into orbit, hopefully #654 which will bring this arc to an end, throw us around and throttle us silly till we cry with joy and desperately awaiting more. Till then, we wait and see.

RATING: 8/10