Tag Archives: Marte Gracia

Daredevil #600 Review

28 Wednesday Mar 2018

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Daredevil #600

Review by Paul Bowler

Mayor Fisk continues to wreak havoc in Murdock’s life in Daredevil #600 as the Man Without Fear rallies the heroes of New York City against the mayor’s schemes. Ever since Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin of crime, was elected as mayor of NYC he’s made superheroes illegal and appointed Matt as deputy mayor to ensure Murdock was too busy to interfere with his criminal dealings. But now Muse – the Inhuman serial killer – has escaped from jail to create more murderous works of art and to stalk his former victim and one-time protégé of Daredevil, Sam Chung (AKA Blindspot). Daredevil must now do whatever it takes to stop Fisk’s plans, no matter the cost, but will he be in time to prevent all of the dark machinations unfolding around him?

Daredevil’s war against Wilson Fisk reaches a thrilling, action-packed conclusion in Daredevil #600, a special oversized anniversary issue guest staring the heroes and villains of NYC, as writer Charles Soule skilfully brings together numerous interweaving plot strands for Daredevil’s epic showdown with Wilson Fisk.

Daredevil #600’s impressive and eye-catching cover by Dan Mora and Romulo Fajardo JR (there’s also a wealth of excellent variant covers by David Aja, Alex Ross, Frank Miller & Dean White, and Daniel Acuna to choose from as well) offers a hint of the action that awaits you in this issue. The battle lines are quickly drawn as the heroes and villains on all sides get caught up in Daredevil’s showdown with mayor Fisk. Daredevil’s plan to take down the Kingpin is even more audacious than it initially seems, with DD enrolling Spider-Man, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, Misty Knight, Jessica Jones, Moon Knight, and Echo to gate-crash a shindig between the Bronx’s super villain crime bosses – the Black Cat, Hammerhead, Diamondback, and the Owl.

As the heroes and villains clash amidst a barrage of wry asides and bullets, Charles Soule also deftly punctuates the narrative with Blindspot’s battle with Muse, while Daredevil’s heads towards his inevitable showdown with Fisk. The pace of this issue doesn’t let up for a moment. However, it is these two branches of the plot that are perhaps the most compelling of all. The fight between Blindspot and Muse is especially powerful because of its underlying sense of horror, while the face-off between Daredevil and Fisk broods with unrestrained menace, and the resolution of both encounters amid a schism of fateful decisions holds unforeseen consequences for all concerned…

It goes without saying that the artwork by Ron Garney is as impressive as ever, with crisply refined page layouts effortlessly relaying every nuance of Soule’s script, and rich characterization adorning every page. Featuring such an extensive roll call of heroes and villains Daredevil #600 is almost bursting at the seams with characters and subplots. Ron Garney does a terrific job giving this issues plethora of characters a chance to shine, imbuing the raw power and emotion of virtually every scene with gritty intensity, striking action sequences, and with color artist Matt Milla’s subtle use of tone and shade heightening the drama to maximum effect this landmark issue of Daredevil looks absolutely stunning.

Daredevil #600 certainly delivers a knockout punch as it rounds off the Mayor Fisk storyline, but even darker forces are on hand waiting in the wings, and it all builds to a shock ending that will rock Hell’s Kitchen to its core! Charles Soule, Ron Garney, and Matt Milla have crafted another superb issue of their run here, add to that the nostalgic backup story looking back at Foggy and Matt’s friendship over the years written by Christos Gage, with art by Mike Perkins and colors by Andy Troy, and Daredevil #600 becomes a milestone issue and game-changing chapter in Matt Murdock’s life that no Daredevil fan will want to miss!

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Writer: Charles Soule / Artist: Ron Garney / Color Artist: Matt Milla

Letterer VC’S Clayton Cowles / Cover: Dan Mora

“They Also Serve” Writer Christos Gage / Art Mike Perkins / Color Artist Andy Troy /

Letterer VC’S Clayton Cowles

Amazing Spider-Man #797 Review

12 Monday Mar 2018

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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.

 

Invincible Iron Man #593 Review

18 Wednesday Oct 2017

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Invincible Iron Man #593

Review by Paul Bowler

A startling new era for Marvel’s armored Avenger begins in Invincible Iron Man #593 as Marvel Legacy gets under way. The comatose body of Tony Stark has vanished! Now it falls to Stark’s friends and foes, those who have overseen his business interests and assumed the mantel of Iron Man since his battle with Captain Marvel during Civil War II left Tony in a medically unexplainable coma, to finally decide who will succeed him as the Invincible Iron Man!

Well, now that we’ve got all the hoo-ha with Secret Empire out of the way, Marvel can concentrate on getting things back on track with Legacy. To be honest, this is bit of a quirky issue of Invincible Iron Man, there is a sense of getting back to basics and core elements of the character, which I guess is what Legacy is meant to be all about, and the return to the series’ original numbering – along with a great cover by Adi Granov – gives you a real sense that you are witnessing the start of something with great potential here.

The issue is positively bursting with insightful character moments and exposition, and writer Brian Michael Bendis keeps Invincible Iron Man #593 on an even keel as he skilfully juggles the numerous plot threads. Tony’s AI, Friday is every present throughout, quickly brining us up to speed with current events: with Tony’s condition in stasis at a Stark Facility, Riri Williams role as Iron heart (whose Armor is run by an AI downloaded from Stark’s consciousness), and Victor Von Doom’s self-proclaimed path to redemption as the Infamous Iron Man.

The Star Expo that opens the issue, overseen by Stark’s Mother, Amanda, and Mary Jane Watson, is a poignant affair tinged with both sadness and hope; despite the dour board of directors resolve to spoil the party. Throw in the mystery of Tony Stark’s body going missing and a tense face-off between the Thing and Victor Von Doom after an incident at Riker’s Island, and you have an issue that poses as many questions as it does answers.

Featuring the work of artists Stefano Caselli and Alex Maleey, with Color Artists Marte Gracia and Alex Maleev, Invincible Iron Man #593 ticks all the boxes visually and stylistically, and the transition between artists and color artists doesn’t impede the overall enjoymenty of reading the issue. The panel layouts are straightforward, nothing fancy, the characters and location are well realized, and there’s a nice jaunt around the Marvel Universe as everyone concerned ponders who ya gonna call when Tony Stark goes missing!?! Although there’s probably enough story in this issue for a couple of issues, for me though, the standout scene was between Victor and The Thing, where some especially scathing home truths are finally aired – and about time too!

Ok, now I’m a big fan of Iron Man / Tony Stark. However, I wasn’t impressed with his fate at the end of Civil War II, Riri Williams was ok as Ironheart, but I didn’t really warm to Doom being the Infamous Iron Man that much, and having skipped Secret Empire completely I’m hoping that The Search For Tony Stark Part 1 sets things up for Tony’s return as the one, true, Iron Man. The question is, is that what’s happening here in this issue?

That’s something this issues surprise ending will certainly leave us guessing about for now. While the story is adequate enough, I was hoping the art would be a bit more spectacular, but it’s still a fairly good issue for fans and newcomers alike. Suffice to say; if Marvel Legacy is all about getting back to the core mechanics, ethos, and distinctive look of Marvel’s most iconic characters, then Invincible Iron Man #593 is definitely a step in the right direction.

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Writer: Brian Michael Bendis / Artist: Stefano Caselli & Alex Maleev

Color Artists: Marte Gracia & Alex Maleev / Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowls

Cover: Adi Granov

Daredevil #26 Review

06 Wednesday Sep 2017

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Daredevil #26

Review by Paul Bowler

Land of the Blind begins in Daredevil #26, when a message from an absent friend sends Daredevil on a mission to the other side of the world to rural China. The Man Without Fear must not only contend with the challenges of his new environment, he must also face a new villain, someone that even Daredevil’s extraordinary hyper-senses can’t detect…

This new story-arc from writer Charles Soule, artist Ron Garney, and color artist Matt Milla kicks off in fine style as Daredevil acrobatically leaps across the rooftops of Manhattan. Having won a landmark case that will finally allow heroes testimonies to be used in court, Matt is now back in his traditional red Daredevil costume, and riding high after the Supreme Court ruled in his favour. So, with Hell’s Kitchen unusually quiet as the ramifications of this news begins to sink into the criminal community, Daredevil switches his attention towards those in Chinatown seeking the help of his former protégée Sam Chung – Blindspot.

Blindspot was one of the defining characters of this new volume of Daredevil during its early stages. Sam Chung had built a suit that enabled him to turn invisible, he became Blindspot, and Daredevil chose to mentor him. Together they took down the gangster known as Tenfingers and saved Sam’s mother. Blindspot continued working with Daredevil until he was horrifically blinded (during The Dark Art storyline) by an Inhuman serial killer called Muse. After leaving hospital, Sam disappeared, and Daredevil hasn’t heard from his since.

As Daredevil brings the latest batch of messages for Blindspot to his sister in Daredevil #26, Charles Soule scripts some extremely powerful and emotional scenes as Sam’s sibling struggles to comes to terms with the choices her brother made, and Daredevil’s reasons for continuing to bring her the envelopes left for Blindspot in Chinatown. But not all of them are calls for help; one holds an invitation for Daredevil to go to China, where a fateful encounter with a deadly new enemy waits!

Ron Garney’s artwork stylishly envelops you in this broodingly atmospheric tale right from the outset: from the moody opening scenes in Chinatown, to the interlude at the DA’s Office, and enlisting Foggy’s help, Murdock’s journey to China is vividly detailed and culminates with a jaw-dropping vista of rural China as Daredevil goes in search of a hidden temple. Color artist Matt Milla employs a sumptuous blend of cool shades, rich shadows, and earthy tones over the course of this issue to great effect. Much as I really liked the darker costume Daredevil has worn in this series, its great to see him back in his red costume again, I think it’s a good move, and it makes the character look even more dramatic when seen in such a rural setting like this.

This issue builds to an ominous cliff-hanger as Daredevil finds himself face to face with some old enemies, but not even Matt’s enhanced senses are a match for the new foe waiting in the wings… From the moment you set eyes on that haunting cover Ron Garney you instantly know you are in for something truly special with this issue. Daredevil #26 begins another great chapter in this series, Charles Soule, Ron Garney, and Matt Milla deliver a sublime mix of powerful characterization, intriguing mystery, and eerily staged action sequences to make this issue of Daredevil a thoroughly enjoyable and suspenseful read from cover to cover.

Publisher: Marvel

Writer: Charles Soule / Artist: Ron Garney / Color Artist: Matt Milla

Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles / Cover: Ron Garney

Amazing Spider-Man #31 Review

14 Monday Aug 2017

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Amazing Spider-Man #31

Review by Paul Bowler

Spider-Man faces the fight of his life in Amazing Spider-Man #31 as the Superior Octopus, under orders from Captain America and backed by Hydra, returns to reclaim the company Otto Octavius believes is rightfully his. Spider-Man mustered a squad of Spider-Mobiles to make a final stand at the Shanghai branch of Parker Industries, but the Superior Ock managed to override their systems and turned the Spider-Mobiles against Spider-Man!

Dan Slott continues to keep the curve balls coming thick and fast with this issues Secret Empire tie-in. Otto may have built what became Parker Industries way back when he was the Superior Spider-Man, but Peter isn’t going to give up that easily, even though the New York, London, and San Francisco offices of his company have fallen and Otto has programmed Spider-Man’s fleet of Spider-Mobiles to attack him. As you’d expect, the web-spinning action comes at a fast, furious, and ingeniously staged pace by Slott as Spidey and his allies rally themselves against Superior Ock’s underhand scheme to wrest back control and prevent him from getting his grubby Hydra funded tentacles on everything stored inside the Parker Industries mainframe.

Yes, I know I said I wasn’t bothering with ANY big comic book events or tie-in issues this year, but as I read Amazing Spider-Man regularly anyway there’s no avoiding this Secret Empire thing for me with this one really. To be honest, I had been considering dropping this title from my pull-list. Recent storylines hadn’t exactly rocked my boat, and the thought of these Secret Empire tie-in issues didn’t garner much enthusiasm from me either. I have to eat my words a bit though, as this issue has certainly rekindled my interests in all things Spider-Man again.

The fact you don’t need to have bothered with Secret Empire or cared one jot about it, was a big plus in my book. Few tie-in’s mange this, and for that I must applaud Dan Slott’s superior scripting of this issue. Otto’s journey from Superior Spider-Man, to disembodied consciousness inside a robot, and eventual rebirth as the Superior Octopus comes full circle with Amazing Spider-Man #31, it also rounds off one of the most compellingly innovative Spider-Man storylines in years, and in many ways Otto’s arc has at times proved more compelling in some ways than Peter’s own resurrection and ongoing success story with Parker Industries.

The pedal to the metal – or perhaps that should that be to side of the building – action is all stylishly brought to life by Stuart Immonen’s impeccably detailed artwork, the inks by Wade von Grawbader complement Immonen’s work perfectly, and together with colorist Marte Gracia this issue of Amazing Spider-Man looks every bit as rich and vibrant as the exciting plot threads Dan Slott has effortlessly spun into a web of high-drama and adventure. From the vertigo inducing clash with the Spider-Mobiles, to the interludes with Aunt May observing events from street level, right up to Peter’s final solution to repel Otto’s hostile takeover, and Spider-Man‘s battle with the Superior Octopus this issue is a dazzling example of a creative team pulling out all the stops to realize the epic scope, scale and implications of the fallout these events will ultimately have on Peter’s life.

Peter Parker has essentially been an everyman’s Tony Stark for a while now, which has been all well and good, but that concept quickly began to feel a bit of a wrong fit for the character. The battle between Spidey and the Superior Ock is the big highlight of the issue, and in many respects – even though the odds are impossibly stacked against him – it almost feels like Peter has finally managed to double down on that old Parker luck of his and come up trumps for once.

It didn’t make me want to check out Secret Empire, but I love how Amazing Spider-Man #31 effectively frees Peter of all that corporate paraphernalia and puts him back in the traditional red and the blue so to speak – stunning cover by Alex Ross this issue as well! I’ve also enjoyed the recent developments between Spidey and Mockingbird in this series, Peter and Bobbi are so good together – lets hope it lasts. Dan Slott is onto a sure fire winner here, the resolution of this issue and no doubt Marvel’s impending Legacy thingymajig is a great opportunity to really get back to the core essence of what makes the friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man such a wonderful character. Fingers crossed it gets our Spider-Senses tingling in all the right ways again!

Publisher: Marvel

Writer: Dan Slott / Penciler: Stuart Immonen

Inks: Wade von Grawbadger / Colourist: Marte Gracia

Letters: VC’s Joe Caramanga / Cover: Alex Ross

 

The Amazing Spider-Man #10 Review

14 Thursday Apr 2016

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The Amazing Spider-Man #10

Review by Paul Bowler

Scorpio Rising continues in The Amazing Spider-Man #10 as our friendly-globe-trotting Spider-Man tackles the menace of Scorpio and Zodiac once more. In a startling turn of events, the 13th sign of the Zodiac has been revealed as The Spider! Now, after surviving re-entry from space, crash-landing in Paris and being attacked by Scorpio, Spider-Man’s fight for the future will span both sides of the English Channel, and when Parker Industries is also suddenly compromised Peter Parker’s life could be changed forever…

Following a mission into space with Nick Fury to regain control of the S.H.I.E.L.D satellites hacked by the terrorist organization Zodiac, Spider-Man used his emergency web-foam to make a daring free-fall from orbit to reach Paris and prevent Scorpio from gaining control of a mystical artefact – the Orrery. Following a ruthless attack by Scorpio, it looks like Spider-Man has lost his window of opportunity as Dan Slott propels the wall crawler’s cross-channel adventures to a whole new level, in Scorpio Rising Part 2: Power Play, as the stars align and Spider-Man’s battle with Scorpio spills over into the channel tunnel itself!

This issues kicks off with Scorpio on the cusp of victory after ambushing Spider-Man in Paris following Spidey’s fiery return to Earth. But writer Dan Slott skilfully proves, perhaps here more than ever, that even without all the fancy new Parker Industries gadgets and gizmos Spidey’s great power and responsibility wins out every time! Spider-Man even manages to find a major design flaw in Scorpio’s defences, but despite his efforts, the tide of the battle shifts when Scorpio exploit’s the wall-crawlers greatest weakness.

The Amazing Spider-Man #10 Cover

These opening scenes move along at a cracking pace as Spider-Man fights for his life, a fortuitous prediction however forces Scorpio’s hand, there’s also a scene where brave Parisians step in at a crucial moment that resonates powerfully, and we also have interludes featuring an ominous jail break back in New York…

Amazing Spider-Man #10 features some truly stunning artwork from Giuseppe Camuncoli. From the exciting opening scenes, Camuncoli keeps the action flowing seamlessly across numerous locales, with a fluid page layouts packed with breathtaking levels of detail across every panel. The moment where Anna and Brain the robot arrive to give Spider-Man a lift is another highlight, as Spidey thanks the civilians who helped him, before departing with a nod to David Tennant’s 10th Doctor’s catchphrase as they set off to take the fight back to Scorpio! Of course, as you may have guessed from this issue glorious Alex Ross cover, the main battle of this issue takes place in the channel tunnel – Mission Impossible style – atop the speeding Eurostar train. This electrifying face-off between Spider-Man and Scorpio showcases Giuseppe Camuncoli’s art like never before, and Camuncoli pulls out all the stops for this fabulous, nerve jangling confrontation!

Likewise, the inks by Cam Smith highlights the finer details of Camuncoli’s art, brining a real sense of speed and moment in the channel tunnel sequences, whilst inky shadows saturate the interludes during the New York jail break. The colors by Marte Gracia also shine in those aforementioned moments in Paris and the channel tunnel scenes, with vivid emerald hues crackling furiously from Scorpio’s energy attacks, to a sinister image lurking in the hazy glow of Brains robot eyes, and the opaque tones in a holographic conference call all collectively add up to make The Amazing Spider-Man #10 one hell of an impressive looking issue!

Even though Spider-Man won’t be able to prevent Scorpio reaching his next stop, Spider-Man, Anna, and Brain manage to uncover a vast hidden lair, one whose secrets could see Peter Parker lose everything that he’s worked so hard to accomplish… The Amazing Spider-Man #10 is another great issue in the new Scorpio Rising arc, with Dan Slott weaving in some stellar plot twists into the mix to keep us all on our toes, and brilliant artwork by Giuseppe Camuncoli, this Spider-Man series remains one of Marvel Comics finest!

Publisher: Marvel / Writer: Dan Slott /Art: Giuseppe Camuncoli

Inks: Cam Smith / Colorist: Marte Gracia

Lettering: VC’s Joe Caramagna / Cover Artist: Alex Ross

The Amazing Spider-Man #9 Review

09 Wednesday Mar 2016

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The Amazing Spider-Man #9

Review by Paul Bowler

Scorpio Rising begins in The Amazing Spider-Man #9, as the wall crawlers new mission send him on a journey across Europe for a finale showdown with the international terrorist organization: The Zodiac! Their leader, Scorpio, is ready to instigate his master plan. Spider-Man and his allies must race against time to hunt Scorpio down, because if he succeeds, even Spider-Man and S.H.I.E.L.D won’t be able to stop him…

The Amazing Spider-Man #9 gets the first chapter of Scorpio Rising of to an exciting start. If you thought Spidey’s battle with Mr Negative, Cloak & Dagger, and his own Spider-Mobile in The Dark Kingdom was tough, then you better hang onto your webs because that was just a taster for what’s to come next! Writer Dan Slott and artist Giuseppe Camuncoli continue to work their magic with Marvel’s all-new, all-different The Amazing Spider-Man, as this action-packed new story-arc begins, and this time they are really going to put Peter Parker through his paces as he confronts the remnants of Zodiac!

Amazing Spiderman #9 Cover A

Dan Slott rockets our global friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man’s adventures into the stratosphere, and beyond, in Scorpio Rising Part 1: One Way Trip, as Nick Fury turns to Peter Parker and Spider-Man to track down Scorpio before he can utilize the power of the Orrery – a mysterious mystical artefact Scorpio managed to escape with during the Zodiac’s attack on the British Museum in London. Now after Scorpio hacked S.H.I.E.L.D’s satellites, Nick Fury seeks assistance from Peter Parker at his New York HQ in the Baxter Building, but the “boss” of Parker Industries is unavailable, fortunately Spider-Man has devised a plan to reset the satellites manually – once Fury’s cleared them some airspace that is!

Yes, there’s a Spiiddeerr-Maaan waiting in the sky (Sorry I couldn’t resists that!) as Spidey and Nick Fury blast off into orbit to take back control of the S.H.I.E.L.D satellites. It’s a move that not even Scorpio or the looped timey-wimey abilities of Gemini could’ve predicted, as they monitor events from Scorpio’s base in Paris. Dan Slott strikes a perfect balance between all the drama and humour in this issue, with digital logos, emojis, a hilariously staged Gravity scenario for Nick Fury, and quite possibly the best built-in play list ever which all collectively make for a sublime blend of action and fun!

Following Matteo Buffangi’s excellent stint as guest artist for ASM #6-8, Giuseppe Camuncoli’s is back to provide the art for The Amazing Spider-Man #9, together with inks by Cam Smith, and this issue is a veritable feast of striking visuals, as Camuncoli brings us some of this new Marvel series’ most exciting scenes to date. The sheer level of detail lavished on each page by Camuncoli and Smith is staggering, from the initial scenes in the lobby of the Baxter Building, to excitement of the Arachno-Rockets launch, Scorpio’s menacing lair in Paris, and the beautifully realized action in space are all sublimely accentuated by colorist Marte Gracia’s exquisite tones and hues.

Everything in this issue builds towards the spectacular reveal of thirteenth a sing of the Zodiac, together with a nail-biting freefall from orbit, a brief interlude at Parker Industries London HQ with romantic and menacing ramifications, and a thrilling cliff-hanger ending. This issue certainly puts our wall crawling hero through the wringer! Featuring a gorgeous cover by Alex Ross, The Amazing Spider-Man #9, with its exciting story by Dan Slott and great art by Giuseppe Camuncoli, remains one of Marvel’s best new titles, and this Scorpio Rising story-arc looks set to be an action-packed thrill-ride of epic proportions for the Spiderverse!

Publisher: Marvel / Writer: Dan Slott / Art: Giuseppe Camuncoli

Inks: Cam Smith / Colorist: Marte Gracia

Lettering: VC’s Joe Caramagna / Cover Artist: Alex Ross

The Amazing Spider-Man #8 Review

17 Wednesday Feb 2016

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The Amazing Spider-Man #8

Review by Paul Bowler

Peter Parker has discovered that an old enemy Mister Negative and his gang, the Inner Demons, have been disturbing the designer drug Shade in Shanghai. The drug warps and enhances the users’ dark side. Spider-Man’s allies Cloak and Dagger have already been affected, and have become Mister Negative’s lieutenants in his vendetta against Spider-Man. Now in The Amazing Spider-Man #8 Peter Parker and his new company are threatened by Mister Negative’s plan to invert Parker to his cause, while unknown to Peter someone inside Parker Industries has been secretly conspiring with the terrorist group ZODIAC, and now they must honour their pact and deliver what they’ve promised the organization – to kill the Amazing Spider-Man!

The Dark Kingdom Part 3: Black & White, concludes in Marvel’s The Amazing Spider-Man #8 as the global business world of Parker Industries, with its cutting edge high-tech innovations, collides head on with Spider-Man’s crime-fighting responsibilities to make life even more complicate for Peter Parker. Dan Slott builds the momentum right from the outset, with Dr Yao Wu quickly rustling up an antidote in his lab at Parker Industries Shanghai HQ for the officers Cloak and Dagger dosed with the Shade during their dramatic face-off with Spider-Man last issue. From here events quickly move to a presentation of an award which also happens to involve the Spider-Mobile, or more precisely the vehicles revolutionary green fuel and engines, a technology, which thanks to the funding from Shen Quinghao, will now make the new engines available nationwide.

As if things aren’t hectic enough for Peter Parker, he’s also still pretending to be under Mister Negative’s influence – his corrupting touch only works once and as he already took control of Spider-Man before in the Dark Reign: Mister Negative miniseries so it won’t affect Peter now – but it’s a situation Spider-Man can use to his advantage. Add the fact the presentation also involves Peter taking a ride in the Spider-Mobile with his current girlfriend, Lian, who has been secretly working for ZODIAC to get experimental medical treatments for her terminally ill mother, and it’s not long before her intricate web of deceit beings to unravel.

The Amazing Spider-Man #8 COVER

The art by Matteo Buffagnio puts the pedal to the metal, quite literally this issue, especially when the Spider-Mobile goes all Spider-Slayer when Spider-Man makes an appearance! Matteo Buffagni’s artwork really excels here, if you liked the Spider-Mobile before, you are going to go absolutely crazy for the wall crawlers not-quite-so-friendly-neighbourhood set of high-tech wheels now! Things are compounded further because Peter’s girlfriend is at the wheel, particularly when she has a crisis of conscience at a crucial moment.

The action is fast and furious, as Spider-Man slugs it out with the Spider-Mobile in what quickly become a death-defying chase that plays out against the gleaming backdrop of the Shanghai skyline in spectacular fashion, and colorist Marte Gracia’s exquisite use of shade and tone ensures this is another hugely impressive issue – and of course there’s a spectacular Spider-Mobile themed cover by Alex Ross to enjoy as well! The characters and their expressions convey all the tension and drama perfectly, there are some particularly emotionally charged scenes amidst all the non-stop action as well, and Mister Negative’s grand scheme to expose Shen Quinghao’s past hit’s a snag after it becomes clear Sun’s officers are prepared to deal with the Shade.

Cloak and Dagger also enter the fray once more at a pivotal moment, however this time; Spidey is ready for Cloak’s teleporting ability thanks to some nifty Parker tech. This in turn paves the way for Cloak and Dagger to eventually escape Mister Negative’s influence, it’s a moment which is of particular significance for the characters, especially for Dagger, and I like the how Cloak’s motivation to take such drastic action is cleverly juxtaposed by Lian’s reasons for selling codes to ZODIAC to get treatments for her dying mother.

Dan Slott has crafted another superb issue here. The pace of the story seamlessly hits each emotional beat to perfection. There are some inspired moment of humour as well, including a hilarious Star Wars reference involving a certain Mon Calamari Admiral’s iconic catchphrase, there’s also gets a surprise communiqué midway thought the battle with the Spider-Mobile, and the mood set during Cloak and Dagger’s dramatically OTT closing statement is brilliantly quipped off the page by Spider-Man’s witty aside.

After the build up to the climatic events in this issue, everything did seem to get wrapped up a little bit too conveniently. Mister Negative and his alter ego is still out there somewhere as well, but its good to have Cloak and Dagger back, and it will be interesting to see how Lian’s actions will impact on her relationship with Peter from this point.

The Amazing Spider-Man #8 is an exciting and action-packed issue. Featuring a great story by Dan Slott, with excellent art by Matteo Buffagnio, and vivid colors by Marte Gracia, this is another knockout issue of Marvel’s flagship Spider-Man title, and everything is now set for the new story arc Scorpio Rising beginning in March!

Publisher: Marvel / Writer: Dan Slott / Art: Matteo Buffagni /Colorist: Marte Gracia

Lettering: VC’s Cory Petit / Cover Artist: Alex Ross

The Amazing Spider-Man #6 Review

05 Tuesday Jan 2016

Posted by in All, Marvel Comics

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The Amazing Spider-Man #6

Review by Paul Bowler

A new story-arc begins: The Dark Kingdom! Peter Parker’s company Parker Industries is brining cutting edge high-tech to the world, it also equips S.H.I.E.L.D, and the Uncle Ben Foundation offers humanitarian aid all over the world. Following the battle with Zodiac and Scorpio in the UK, The Amazing Spider-Man #6 finds Peter Parker back in Shanghai, where one of Spider-Man’s deadliest villains has returned: Mister Negative! What is Mister Negative’s plan, and how has he got two fan-favourite Marvel heroes to join forces with him?

Its another busy day at Parker Industries filled with plenty of new innovations and action-packed web-spinning for Peter Parker in Marvel’s The Amazing Spider-Man #6, where, following a flashback to a well organised breakout of a high security prisoner on Stronghold 1: the department of justice prison transport, writer Dan Slott kicks off the story in earnest as we find Peter enjoying a brief respite from his executive role and wall crawling duties on the rooftop of the Shanghai branch of Parker Industries. After a quick Spider-Sense tingling white-knuckle ride in the Spider-Mobile, things get a little more complicated for Peter, as business and politics become awkwardly entwined, before news of the arrival of Mister Negative means its time for some Spidey action!

The Amazing Spider-Man #6 Cover

This issue covers a lot of ground in a short space of time, but it doesn’t feel rushed though. The opening flashback is handled really well, it’s a good way to reintroduce Mister Negative, and the surprise of having him teamed up with Cloak and Dagger is another neat twist – especially with the unexpected role reversal of their powers.

Matteo Buffagni’s art is also very good, each scene is well presented, the characters are all nicely defined, and the page layouts stylishly convey the fast-paced action. Mister Negative is also an intersting villain, its great to see him return, and his powers certainly makes him one of Spider-Man’s more unusual adversaries. I like the contrast Buffagni’s art highlights between Peter’s high-flying business life and his wall crawling adventures as Spider-Man. There’s some awesome Spider-Mobile action as well, I love that car, it always looks stunning, and that wrecking ball scene is sure to leave you with a big silly grin on your face!

I’m also really pleased to see the return of Cloak and Dagger in this issue of The Amazing Spider-Man. Dan Slott has really brought a new spin on the characters here, especially how their powers have now been drastically altered by Mister Negative. The artwork of Matteo Buffagni really captures the essence of these characters perfectly, they dominate every scene they appear in, and colorist Marte Gracia employs subtle shades and tones to great effect throughout to make this one of the most impressive looking issues of the new series so far – and let’s not forget that gorgeous cover by Alex Ross as well, this one’s a real stunner!

Amazing Spider-Man #6 gets The Dark Kingdom arc off to a great start. Dan Slott is on great form once again, his writing always seems to draw me into the story, and he has a great handle on all the characters, which together with Matteo Buffagni’s art and Marte Gracia’s colors, makes this another standout issue. I’m really looking forward to seeing how this story develops, especially after that cliff-hanger ending, and to finding out exactly how and why Cloak and Dagger are now working for Mister Negative.

Publisher: Marvel / Writer: Dan Slott / Art: Matteo Buffagni

Colorist: Marte Gracia / Cover Artist: Alex Ross

The Amazing Spider-Man #5 Review

23 Wednesday Dec 2015

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Amazing Spider-Man #5

Review by Paul Bowler

Its another day in the office of webspinning and high-flying business for Peter Parker in The Amazing Spider-Man #5, as our internationally friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man faces-off against the terrorist group ZODIAC who stole his new webware device. With his cutting edge technology Peter Parker’s work has provided S.H.I.E.L.D with equipment while his Uncle Ben Foundation delivers humanitarian aid all over the world. Parker Industries and Spider-Man have gone global, but so have the wall crawler’s enemies! Having dealt with a private army called the War Goblins in Africa instead of helping Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D track down ZODIAC, The Amazing Spider-Man #5 sees Spidey and Mockingbird regroup with their S.H.I.E.L.D allies at the London branch of Parker Industries, but will they be able to stop ZODIAC in time?

Yes, it’s another amazing issue from Dan Slott (& Christos Gage), as he brings the numerous plot threads that kicked off this new volume of Amazing Spider-Man together in “Set In Stone”, which finds Peter having to face up to his decision to go to Africa and stop the War Goblin’s and save Aunt May and her husband instead of helping S.H.I.E.L.D attack the ZODIAC bases – most of which incidentally turned out to be fake. But the repercussions of Peter’s choice must wait as they must stop ZODIAC first, and that means a trip to London for Spider-Man!

Amazing Spider-Man #5 Cover

There’s all out action from this point on, even the Human Torch is amazed to see Peter taking charge like this, but when ZODIAC attacks the British Museum, its time for Spider-Man, Torch, Mockingbird, Prowler, and S.H.I.E.L.D to swing into action. Giuseppe Camuncoli’s artwork is as striking detailed as ever, each page is packed with action and energy, and the story flows along at a break-neck pace that doesn’t let up for a moment – especially during the fight at the British Museum – where lots of fun dialogue is peppered throughout the dynamic page layouts. The inks by Cam Smith are also superb, brining added clarity and texture to every scene, and coloist Marte Gracia dazzles with a mix of bold tones and vivid hues to accentuate the action.

I’ve really enjoyed this new direction for The Amazing Spider-Man. Even though Peter is now in charge of a huge global company, his principles have remained the same; with great power and responsibility permeating every aspect of his company just as it does his everyday life and his adventuring as Spider-Man. His work with S.H.I.E.L.D has also been handled really well, it’s a move that has brought in a lot of extra characters too, and its made the title feel even more diverse than ever. Yes, I’m a big fan of Spider-Man, and you know what, I’m really enjoying reading Spider-Man again on a regular basis, after something of a lull story-wise at times with the last volume, the wall crawlers adventures seem fun and exciting again.

This issue brings the first arc of this new volume to a close in fine style as the fight with Scorpio reaches a surprise conclusion. Peter also faces a press conference over the unauthorized use of the Parker Nanotech to interface with the London CCTV systems, which leads to some interesting changes at Parker Industries London HQ, there’s also the menace of a major villain’s consciousness lurking like a ghost in the machine, and a final reveal in the ominous coda that will give us plenty to mull over… In short, The Amazing Spider-Man is another terrific issue, I mean, just look at that gorgeous Alex Ross cover! It’s quickly becoming one of my favourite Marvel titles again, and even though I love all the new high-tech gadgets and vehicles I was overjoyed to see Spider-Man using the greatest Spidey vehicle of all to travel across the London skyline!

Publisher: Marvel

Writers: Dan Slott & Christos Gage – Art: Giuseppe Camuncoli – Inks: Cam Smith – Colors: Marte Gracia

Cover Artist: Alex Ross