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Amazing Spider-Man #22, Amazing Spider-Man #22 review, Benjamin Rabin, John Romita JR, Marvel, Marvel Comics, MJ, Peter Parker, Spider-Man, The Amazing Spider-Man, What did Peter do?, Zeb Wells
The Amazing Spider-Man #22 Review
Review by Paul Bowler
Writer Zeb Wells continues to lift the veil on the mysterious crisis and consequence that kicked-off this new run of Amazing Spider-Man with such a compelling quandary – what exactly did Peter do that turned his fellow superheroes against him and sent MJ into the arms of another man? Well, following last issues cataclysmic return of Benjamin Rabin, The Amazing Spider-Man #22 has a lot of ground to cover as Peter and MJ find themselves teleported into an apocalyptic version of New York City and pursued by the Mayan god of mischief and death, Wayep. Essentially the issue is a flashback to events of a year ago, events which would in turn prove the catalyst for the new status-quo Zeb Wells set out for Peter and MJ at the start his Spider-Man run. What we get this issue isn’t necessarily all the answers we’d hoped for as Peter and MJ receive some unexpected help to find shelter, take stock, and form a Spider-Verse-hopping way out of their predicament.
However, newer readers may still be scratching their heads over exactly who Benjamin Rabin is and what he could possibly have to do with everything that’s been going on with Peter and MJ. Well, Rabin was last seen nearly a decade ago in Amazing Spider-Man #557, where Spider-Man thwarted his plan to become the Emissary of the Mayan god Wayep.

The crazed mathematician then spent years plotting his revenge, which in turn culminated in the devastating series of events we now see unfolding in the flashbacks of this story-arc. Phew! Once you get your head around it the narrative kind of makes sense, but it still feels pretty surprising why Wells has chosen to place such an obscure foe at the centre of whatever Peter did. Zeb Wells writing is pacy and exciting as Spider-Man valiantly goes toe-to-toe with a raging Wayep, the dialogue also feels more on point this issue than of late, but as we’re still only halfway through this massive storyline we clearly still have a long way to go before all the pieces of the puzzle can fall into place.
Now, the quality of John Romita JR.’s artwork has varied somewhat over the course of this run, although he does seem to be back on form again with this current story-arc. The action is pretty fast and furious and JRJR’s pencils strike a seamless balance between the frenetic pace and dramatic action. Likewise, Scott Hanna’s bold inks and colourist Marcio Menzy’s vivid pallet of color nicely complements JRJR’s work, and it seems that the magic themed narrative and alternative dimensional setting has enabled the art team to draw on far more creative vigour than we’ve seen of late.
You know, when this series isn’t getting bogged down in yet another Marvel Comics event, crossover, tie-in, or whatever Amazing Spider-Man can really grab your attention and run with it. As creative teams go, Zeb Wells and John Romita JR. do seem to work well together. Recent issue of ASM have seen Peter claiming he now thinks of MJ as more like a sister to him and he’s also seems to have rekindled his romance with the Black Cat, both are moves that have divided fans and critics alike. Even though I’m not fully on board with the direction the book is taking with the characters, there’s clearly a lot more behind the events that has alienated Spider-Man from his friends and is keeping Peter and MJ apart – especially where magic is concerned. So far there is a sense that we are only just scratching the surface of it all. I’m still willing to give Wells and JRRJ the benefit of the doubt for now and I think Amazing Spider-Man #22 is certainly a step in the right direction.
About The Autho
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
That cover is amazing!
Its a fantastic cover, so eye catching!
Peter n MJ are meant to be…
I enjoyed your review, Paul. I’ve just finished reading this latest issue and it’s a lot better than recent Spidey fare. I still don’t know why they delayed this story for so long. They should’ve skipped all those tie-ins and events and just had Wells & JrJr telling this story uninterrupted. Also, no idea who this Rabin guy is. But if Wells makes it work then why not, eh? (I wasn’t reading ASM when #555-#557 came out. They had Chris Bachalo on art duties back then. Cool!)
Yeah, now that they’ve moved on from all the events and crossovers, it’s good to be back to the main storyline. Just a shame they didn’t simply continue with it from the outset. Rabin is indeed from those issues of ASM, it was quite an obscure story, and I think even longterm readers were wondering who he was. I’m sure all will become clear in time.
Hi Paul, great review as ever. Always good to hear the Spidey universe is going strong Hope you’re well
Hi, and glad you enjoy the review. Yes, the current Spider-Man line is still going strong. I’m very well thanks, getting back in the swing of things now after my break while I recovered from my surgery back in December. 🙂
I’m not really a big fan of John Romita Jr.s art, but that’s a cover and a half.
Also, bringing back an obscure villain every now and then can work out great if handled right. One DC villain I’d like to see again, at least as a joke, would be Snowflame. He only showed up in 2 issues of a not so great alternate future comic in the 80s, and he’s literally powered by cocaine.
“Every cell of my being burns with white-hot ecstasy. Cocaine is my God, and I am the human instrument of its will.”
Yeah, JRJR’s art can be a bit Marmite sometimes, I like his artwork, but sometimes it does vary in quality. Really like the cover for this issue tho, so eye catching. I have vague memory of Snowflame, it is cool to bring back a really obscure foe sometimes – especially if they do something new with them to make it worth while.
Sounds solid. I recently read the first Nick Spencer volume of this TASM run and wasn’t too mind-blown by what he had to offer but will probably keep going to get to the more exciting moments in the series.
Yeah, it’s been pretty good, especially when it doesn’t get bogged down by the recent cross over events. I enjoyed Spencer’s run, it took a little while to find its feet, but I liked the fun, back to basics approach it took to the character.