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Amazing Spider-Man #55, Amazing Spider-Man #55 review, Amazing Spiderman #55 review, Green Goblin, Harry Osborne, Kindred, Kingpin, Last Remains, Marvel, Marvel Comics, Mary Jane, Miles Morales, Nick Spencer, Norman Osborne, Patrick Gleason, Peter Parker, Spider-Man
The Amazing Spider-Man #55
Review by Paul Bowler.
Last Remains concludes in Amazing Spider-Man #55 with an epic showdown between Spider-Man and Kindred! Its a battle that will shake Peter Parker’s world to the core, but the fallout from Kindred’s diabolical scheme could prove even more devastating for Spider-Man and those he loves…
So, after lurking in the shadows for nearly two yeasr, Kindred’s identity was finally revealed as none other than Norman Osborn’s son, and Peter’s old friend, Harry Osborne! After tormenting his old pal for what Harry perceived as Peter “sins,” namely his inability to stop Norman from causing chaos as the Green Goblin throughout their lives, Kindred beat Spider-Man to a bloody pulp, killing and reviving him over and over until restoring Peter’s life one last time to reveal the endgame of his grand plan — and to Peter’s horror it involves Mary Jane!
Writer Nick Spencer brings the chilling Last Remains storyline to a nerve jangling finale with Amazing Spider-Man #55 as the final battle unfolds in the crypt at the Osborne family cemetery. Spider-Man’s Spider-Friends, Spider-Gwen, Spider-Woman, Spider-Girl, Miles Morales, and Madame Web have also been captured by Kindred, and Peter can now only watch helplessly as Mary Jane is inexorably drawn into Kindred’s ghoulish web of vengeance. Events are brought to a cataclysmic head as Peter and Harry’s lifelong friendship is put under the microscope, uncomfortable home truths are finally aired over a grisly last supper, and old wounds get reopened with devastating results for all concerned.
I’ve really enjoyed the work of artist Patrick Gleason and colorist Edgar Delgado on this series and they’ve done a terrific job with this issue as well. Gleason’s art perfectly captures the grim tone of this story. Every page resonates with atmosphere and menace as Kindred’s dark schemes are given centre stage, with dynamic page layouts stylishly conveying the brutal action scenes, while Edgar Delgado’s masterful use of tone and shade accentuates the brooding air of dread, and the tense filled final moments are all brilliantly rendered in such a way that you almost feel a part the plight which Peter faces.
The ingenious way that Spencer throws a curveball move from some old foes as well as MJ into the mix for this final chapter of Last Remains is brilliantly done. Rounding everything off with an edge-of-your-seat cliffhanger was also a bold move — especially considering the revelations in this issue — and no doubt this storyline could well have wide reaching ramifications for the wall crawlers future. All in all, after a bit of lull during the recent glut of Marvel’s big comic book events and crossovers, I think Last Remains has really set Nick Spencer’s run on Amazing Spider-Man back on track. I’ve throughly enjoyed it and consider it one of the best comic storylines I’ve read in 2020.
While we await what’s in store for Spider-Man in the aftermath of Last Remains, Marvel have also given fans their first look at Spider-Man’s all new costume that Spidey will wear beginning with March’s Amazing Spider-Man #62 by Nick Spencer and Patrick Gleason and Aprils Amazing Spider-Man #63 — the costume is designed by Dustin Weaver, who also illustrates the variant covers for Amazing Spider-Man #62-#63 and was a collaborative effort with Spencer and Gleason. The new costume has a distinctly sleek, high-tech look to it, and I have a feeling it will be something fans will either love or hate. Personally I don’t mind it, I think its ok, I like the Spider-Noir style eyes, and the color scheme, though somewhat quirky, oddly seems to suit Spider-Man quite well.
Well, there we have it. My final review for 2020, and what a year its been hasn’t it? The Covid 19 pandemic has certainly turned our world upside down, tragically the death toll of this awful virus is still far from over, but the vaccine now offers hope. I’ve found the lockdowns tough, we’re still under almost lockdown conditions here in the UK, and that’s sadly meant that Christmas has been more of series of Zoom chats than the normal family get togethers I look forward to every year. Thank you for being there. Thank you for all your continued support of my blog and everything that I do, it means so much to me, to have this little corner of the internet to ramble on about comic books, films and TV shows like I do, and here’s hoping that 2021 brings better times for a us all.
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: Nick Spencer / Artist: Patrick Gleason
Colorist: Edgar Delgado / Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramanga
Cover: Patrick Gleason and Edgar Delgado
About The Author
Hi, I’m Paul Bowler, blogger and reviewer of films, TV shows, and comic books. I’m a Sci-Fi geek, a big fan of Doctor Who, Star Trek, movies, Sci-Fi, Horror, Comic Books, and all things PS4.You can follow me on Twitter @paul_bowler,or at my website, Sci-Fi Jubilee, and on YouTube and Facebook
Great review, I’ve been enjoying the Last Remains storyline as it is one of the best Spider-Man stories in some time. I have to admit getting chills reading that final page and the cover is easily the best and most striking one for the modern era.
I’m not sure what to make of the new costume. Spider-Man more or less started the trend back in the 80s of coming out with distinctly different outfits and he has had several over the years. Yet we keep going back to the traditional classic red and blue. We have to wonder how this one will be received. Will it become a classic like the black costume? We’ll see.
Last Remains has been one of the best Spider-Man stories I’ve read for quite a while. Its really become the highpoint of Spencer’s run for me so far. Kindred is such a creepy villain as well and that ending still sends shivers down my spine. I think the new costume that’s coming in March looks ok. Its very dynamic, although the color scheme is a bit vibrant for my taste. My favourite variant Spidey costume is still the black costume he got during the Secret Wars – which obviously became the Venom Symbiont. There was a pretty cool looking Spider Armor back in Web of Spider-Man I think, and I’ve always really liked the Scarlet Spider costume as well. It will be interesting to see how the new suit is received when it debuts, maybe it’ll br as popular as the black costume was? Indeed, we will have to wait and see. 🙂
I bet this costume lasts a season, maybe less and then they’ll go back to what works for a bit before trying yet another new variant.
Honestly, he looks like he is wearing knee high socks. That might be sexy on a catholic school girl, but not on a superhero!
Yeah, I have a feeling this new Spider-Man costume will be temporary. I have a feeling its bound to divide fans a bit as well. Personally I think the suit looks ok, Spidey has had some pretty bizarre variant costumes in the past, but I think this new one looks quite sleek and high tech. LOL, your description of it is brilliant though! I don’t know, first we get a new costume, whatever next I wonder? Maybe they will bring back the Spider-Mobile next to go with the snazzy new suit?
I haven’t read this issue yet but did it address anything about One More Day?
It was a great finale to Last Remains, and one of my favourite Spider-Man stories this year. The events in this issue don’t exactly address One More Day as such, but its still sure to have a big impact on all aspects of Spider-Man’s life – including MJ – from here on I expect.
Happy New Year! Stay safe! This new year can only be better! I love the cover with the ghostly spiderweb Peter. Seems to fit well with the grim plot. The new costume could have used red instead of orange in my opinion. I bet the old much-loved Spidey costume will be back eventually.
Thank you and wishing you a very happy and healthy New Year as well. I really liked the cover of this issue of Amazing Spider-Man as well with all those spooky spiderwebs. I don’t mind the new look costume that’s been announced for Spidey, it looks very different and dynamic – although I think the color scheme will take some getting used to! I’m pretty sure the classic Spider-Man suit will be back as well. Cheers, take care, and stay safe.
I have yet to read this but will hopefully get to it today. As for the new suit – it’s not the greatest but I’ll wait to see it in action before fully committing.
Been really enjoying Last Remains, I think its been the best Amazing Spider-Man story of the year. Kindred is such a creepy and unsettling foe. Gleason’s artwork is also superb. Yeah, I’m ok with the new Spidey suit that’s been announced, it looks ok, but I’ll reserve judgement until we see it in action. I like the look of the suit, but I think the color scheme is going to take a bit of getting uses to!
My grandson won’t be happy with a new costume…..lol
LOL, yeah, the new costume is very different. It looks a very sleek and futuristic. I’m sure that the classic Spider-Man costume will return eventually though. 🙂
Wow. That Gleason cover art is one of the best Spider-Man covers I’ve seen. Simple, haunting, no colour, no action – just a profile shot made of web! Outstanding.
I really like Gleason’s artwork as well, and this cover is especially striking. Vert eerie, its like a spider-web x-ray or something.