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Alex Ross, Amazing Spider-Man, Amazing Spider-Man #797, Amazing Spider-Man #797 review, Carage, Daily Bugle, Dan Slott, Green Goblin, JJJ, Marte Gracia, Mary Jane, Norman Osborn, Peter Parker, Red Golin, Spider-Man, Stuart Immonen, Wade Von Grawbadger
Amazing Spicer-Man #797
Review by Paul Bowler
The Green Goblin is back in Marvel Comics Amazing-Spiderman #797, and this time he’s more frightening than ever! It seems Dan Slott has arguably saved one of his most powerful storylines till last as Go Down Swinging Part 1, together with Stuart Immonen’s fantastic artwork, ensnares Spidey’s life in the chilling first chapter of an Amazing-Spider-Man story that’s been ten years in the making. Norman Osbourn is back, crazier than ever, and his latest malevolent plan will soon spell big trouble for Peter Parker and everyone close to him!
Peter’s new job at the Daily Bugle as Science Editor – after the collapse of Parker Industries left him penniless – led to Spider-Man’s recent run-in with the Goblin King, but with the help of Anti-Venom (Flash Thompson) Spidey was able to fend off Goblin King’s attack. This led to Peter reconnecting with former lover and Stark CEO, Mary Jane Watson, but that old Parker luck strikes again in Amazing Spider-Man #797 and their reconciliation doesn’t exactly turn out the way either of them expect.
Along with the ramifications of the Goblin King’s latest actions being keenly felt at the Daily Bugle, Slott deftly punctuates the narrative throughout the rest of the issue with some friendly neighbourhood Spidey action, Peter getting another hilariously ranting phone call from JJJ (now a trail-blazing blogger extraordinaire), there’s further insight into events going in Liz’s and Harry’s lives, and the Goblin King gets more than he bargains for in a particularly brutal showdown, but the main focal point of this issue is Norman Osborn – or more specifically the identity of the person he has kidnapped to learn more about Spider-Man.
It is here that Dan Slott’s writing really excels as we witness just how extreme Osborn has become now that he’s got his crazy back, and it leads to some genuinely unnerving scenes that illustrate just how frightening Norman Osborn can be. You see, ever since Spidey robbed Osborn of his abilities, he’s done everything in his power to become the Green Goblin again. In a last ditch attempt to reclaim his lost power Norman joined with the Carnage Symbiote, and their dark unholy alliance was formed to destroy Spider-Man! Trouble is, Osbourn still hasn’t got all his memories back – including the knowledge that Peter Parker is really Spider-Man – and his terrified captive must now endure Norman’s maniacal; bloodthirsty interrogation or give up their knowledge of Spider-Man and his friends.
As you’d expect Stuart Immonen’s artwork looks as impressive as ever. Every page is awash with vivid detail and finely constructed panel layouts that seamlessly relays the story as we shift between a myriad of different locales and events going on in Parker’s life. The scenes between Peter and MJ are especially moving and emotional. Yet it is Norman Osborn’s dark spiralling plunge into his Carnage Symbiote fuelled mania where Immonen’s art superbly conveys every, creepy, heart-stopping moment – especially when it comes to Norman’s special brand of pest control – and the inks by Wade Von Grawbadger and colors by Marte Gracia also accentuates the scary atmosphere to the max! Add to that the haunting cover by Alex Ross, and this is one issue that positively screams read me!
This issue of Amazing Spider-Man builds to a thrilling climax, one that both reveals the identity of Norman’s hapless captive and sparks a shocking revelation. One thing’s for sure, Spider-Man and the Green Goblin are on a collision course now like no other before or since. Go Down Swinging certainly looks set to be an exciting swansong for Dan Slott’s tenure writing Spider-Man. I’ve only been reading Slott’s work since Superior Spider-Man, but I’ve enjoyed his run from what I’ve read of it for the most part. Amazing Spider-Man #797 is a dark, scary issue, Dan Slott and Stuart Immonen are clearly pulling out all the stops for their final arc, and I can wait to see the inevitable showdown between Spider-Man and Osborn’s Carnage Symbiote infused Goblin!
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: Dan Slott / Artist: Stuart Immonen
Inks: Wade Von Grawbadger / Color Artist: Marte Gracia
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramanga / Cover Artist: Alex Ross.
Sci-Fi Jubilee 
That cover sure is awesome!
It is! Alex Ross has done so many great covers for this Spider-Man sereis, this is one of my favourites as well 🙂
Yup, agreed.
I haven’t been reading Amazing Spider-Man for a while – as much as I really enjoyed Dan Slott’s Spider-Man run for a while, and even contested he was born to write Spider-Man, I did eventually get bored of the direction he was taking it. If this is his last arc though, I might need to check it out when it’s done.
Amazing Spider-Man is a series I tend to get every now and then. Like you, I found some recent storylines a bit lacking. Think it was a good move to bring Peter Parker back down to earth a bit with him losing his company and money ect. This is Dan Slott’s final arc, so it will be interesting to see how he closes out his run on Spider-Man. I’ve enjoyed his work on the sereis for the most part. Will you be checking out Invincible Iron Man when he takes over writing that book?
Probably not. I’m not that much of an Iron Man fan – his appearances in other books and the movies are generally enough for me.
I might check it out, I’ve read Iron Man occasionally over the years. Will be interesting to see Slott’s take on the character.
Love it. That’s one cool and insane cover.
I love how the Goblin is smashing through the Spidey signal – looks stunning!
Looks like Slott is saving his best for last with this arc. As a writer Slott has been on the whole a good fit for Spider-Man and the return of Osborne is a great way to finish an epic run. Looking forward to picking it up.
It certainly seems like Slott has an epic finale planned for his run on Spider-Man with this story arc. A great issue, enjoy reading it 🙂
Slott and Spidey have been killing it lately. One of my fav books at the moment. Great review.
I’ve enjoyed this new story as well, Slott is a great writer. Cheers, glad you enjoyed the review 🙂
That cover artwork is AMAZING.
Its one of my favourites that Alex Ross has done for the series, I love how the Goblin is smashing through the Spider-Man signal, looks so menacing!
Glad you enjoyed this issue of ASM too Paul, I’m eagerly awaiting #798 – which sadly brings us one more closer to the end of Slott’s run.
This storyline in ASM is really building to an epic showdown between Spidey and the Goblin! Yes, looking foward to #798 as well. I’m going to miss Slott on this title, I’ve not read all his run, but I’ve enjoyed what I have read. Will be interesting to see how the sereis continues after Slott’s run, and what happens next in Peter Parker’s life.
I love Alex Ross art. I need to read more Spider-Man comics. The idea of having Carnage and Osborn is something terrifying.
Alex Ross has done some awesome covers for Amazing Spider-Man. His artwork is brilliant! I agree, Carnage and Osborn make a frightening combination as the Red Goblin, one of Spidey’s most deadly foes for sure!
He does and I love it. The Red Goblin sounds like trouble. He has the symbriote powers and the knowledge and evil of Norman.
Indeed, Red Goblin is a powerful foe, and will uses all his knowledge together with the symbionts power to destroy Spider-Man. Its all building up to an epic showdown in Amazing Spider-Man 800!
800 issues?! That’s a high score. I feel like the team are planning something big for Spider-Man.
This big storyline has been the build up to this special issue, and it looks sets to be an epic Spider-Man story.
I am actually surprised Norman Osborn is back and trying to kill Spider-Man. I always thought he would be dead from his actions.
I think he was believed dead for a long time and then he returned. He did loose his powers and memory that Spidey was Peter Parker for a while as well until he got all his memories back in this Spider-Man storyline.
Oh really? His powers are the Goblin powers?
Yes, that’s right, from the process that originally made him the Green Goblin. Now of course his power and evil is augmented further because he has bonded with Carnage. A deadly combination indeed.
That’s scary. Knowing Carnage, he will unleash the killer instinct.
Indeed, and no one that Peter Parker knows will be safe when he does, its going to be an epic showdown between Red Goblin and Spider-Man!
I agree. I hope he doesn’t die like in Ultimate Spider-Man.
I doubt that will happen. The Amazing Spider-Man comic book sereis is being relaunched though soon when Dan Slott’s run is over, so it could herald a reboot of sorts perhaps? We shall have to wait and see.
Oh really? He is a great comic artist. I think this reboot will be part of the new Marvel comics that will be happening this summer.