Amazing Spider-Man #64 Review

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Amazing Spider-Man #64, Amazing Spider-Man #64 Review, Boomerang, Kindred, King's Ransom, Kingpin, Marvel Comics, Nick Spencer, Peter Parker, Sinister War, Spider-Man, The Amazing Spider-Man #64 Review

The Amazing Spider-Man #64 Review

Review by Paul Bowler.

The Amazing Spider-Man #64 finds Tombstone and Robbie Robertson at loggerheads yet again and Spider-Man’s life is getting trashed in the crossfire as a result! Mind you with Pete and his roommate Fred Myers (AKA. Reformed super villain  Boomerang), teaming up with Spidey to keep the pieces of the all-powerful Lifeline tablet out of the Kingpin’s clutches, and Peter’s other roommate Randy Robertson dating Tombstone’s daughter, Janice Lincoln (the Beetle), its little wonder Spider-Man’s life is a tad chaotic right now!

Nick Spencer continues to steer the series back towards a more scattershot, back-to-basics and fun approach to Spider-Man’s world that was so indicative of the early stages of his run. The first half of “King’s Ransom Part Two” is a frenetically paced blend of recap and cliff-hanger fallout after Madame Masque and Crime Master ambushed Randy and Janice back at Pete’s apartment — which was interrupted when Peter and Fred suddenly returned home. The ensuing fight details how Spider-Man managed to enter the fray — with Peter cleverly managing to protect his secret identity — while safely sidelining Fred but also failing to prevent Randy and Janice being kidnapped. 

Amazing Spider-Man #64 features slick artwork from Federico Vicentini, with Alex Sinclair on colors and lettering by Joe Caramagna. The pace of the action hardly lets up for a moment. Every page is dynamically structured, vibrantly illustrated and accentuated with a striking  pallet of color. Spidey’s battle with Madame Masque and Crime Master in the apartment offers further insight into the abilities of Spider-Man’s new high-tech suit (courtesy of JJJ’s Threats & Menaces podcast). The suit enhances Spider-Man’s strength, agility, web shooters, and also enables TNM’s subscribers to livestream Spidey’s adventures — at his discretion of course — and this quirky modern twist on Peter’s old job selling photos of Spidey to the Bugle has boosted Spider-Man popularity in NYC (much to the Kingpin’s annoyance) and sent JJJ’s channel subscribers though the roof!  I quite like the new costume, although I’m not overly fond of the Social Media slant to it all that much. Mark Bagley’s cover impressively showcases the current story line, however, it features Spidey in his classic suit, which seems a bit strange given all the time Marvel spent building hype about the new suit — guess this cover was commissioned before the new suit was revealed or decide on? 

The one thing I’ve really like about Spencer’s time on Spider-Man is the humour peppered throughout the dialogue and the fun dynamic between all the characters and situations they stumble into. This issue is no exception to that rule. The bromance between Peter and Fred has  also been a real highlight, and there are some especially moving moments this issue as Fred decides to take matters into his own hands against the Kingpin’s plans. Given all the years of bad blood between them, having Robbie and Tombstone set aide their differences — for now anyway — also leads to some fun hijinks as they try to track down Randy and Janice – as for the happy couple, well, as you’d expect there’re still bickering like crazy and testing their captors patience to the limit!

If all that wasn’t enough we also have the Kingpin’s scheme to assemble villains to send against Boomerang and Spider-Man, along with sinister machinations involving Kindred and Baron Mordo behind the scenes, and an ominous hint towards the Sinister War that’s coming in July thrown into the mix as well. While this issues not the best jumping on point, it does bring a lot of longstanding plot threads together, and sets up some intriguing possibilities. If you’ve stuck with Spencer’s run this long you’ll find plenty to enjoy here, while newcomers will find Amazing Spider-Man #64 crams in a hell of a lot but still manages to be a fun and enjoyable — if somewhat overwhelming — read nevertheless.

Publisher Marvel Comics

Writer Nick Spencer / Artist Federico Vicentini

Colorist Alex Sinclair / Lettere VC’s Joe Caramanga

Cover Mark Bagley, John Dell, and Edgar Delgado

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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

Amazing Spider-Man #55 Review

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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

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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

The Amazing Spider-Man #52 Review

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Doctor Strange, Harry Osborne, Kindred, Last Remains, Last Remains Part 3, Marvel, Marvel Comics, Nick Spencer, Norman Osborne, Patrick Gleason, Peter Parker, Sin Eater, Spider-Man, Spider-Man #52 Review, Spiderman #52 Review

The Amazing Spider-Man #52

Review by Paul Bowler.

The darkest, most macabre confrontation imaginable awaits Peter Parker in The Amazing Spider-Man #52 as the wall crawler comes face-to-face with the new villain – Kindred! As Kindred reveals his true power to Spider-Man, horrors past and present are unleashed, and Spidey begins realise the terrible danger he’s in!

Having failed to secure the help of Doctor Strange last issue Spider-Man decided to take the fight directly to Kindred himself, but it’s a decision Peter might come to regret as their showdown unfolds. With a gathering of high profile skeletal remains for Kindred’s ghoulish tea party from hell, including George Stacy, Jean Dewolf, Marla Jamerson, Flash Thompson, Gwen Stacy, and Ben Parker, writer Nick Spencer ramps up the horror quota of Kindred’s vendetta to the max in Spider-Man #52 to such a degree that its positively skin-crawling. The way Kindred taunts and goads Spidey before brutally pummelling him to a pulp is done with almost surgical precision, and its not long before our friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man finds the tables have been horrifically turned on him.

Kindred has been plotting and scheming from the shadows for much of Spencer’s run, having first killed Mendel Stromm and then Mysterio, Kindred went on to resurrect Sin Eater to cleanse criminals of their sins — including Norman Osborne (the Green Goblin). Last Remains kicked off with Kindred sending these collective sins after Spider-Man’s Spider-Friends,  Spider-Gwen, Spider-Woman, Spider-Girl, Miles Morales, and Madame Web, transforming them into twisted demonic version of themselves in order to unleash carnage on Peter and terrorise New York City. It is this demonic version of The Order of the Web that Kindred now uses against Spider-Man in this issue with almost frightening relish, and effetely forces him into a fateful no-win scenario.

Patrick Gleason’s artwork is a perfect fit for The Amazing Spider-Man. Employing a dynamic blend of overlapping page layouts and spectacular two-page spreads to convey the horror and intensity of Spidey’s face-off with Kindred, Gleason renders every moment of raw emotion, grisly horror and bone crunching action to perfection. Every scene is packed with detail   and colourist Edgar Delgado enhances the action with a glorious use of vivid color, rich tones, and  sinister shadows.

Everything builds towards a shock cliff-hanger which is brilliantly ambiguous and shockingly chilling. Grim thrills and intense action makes Amazing Spider-Man #52 riveting reading, Nick Spencer is firing on all cylinders here, and Patrick Gleason’s art continues to impress on every level. The creative team on this book are doing a fantastic job and Last Remains is easily one of the most darkly compelling Spider-Man storylines that I’ve enjoyed in a  long while. 

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Writer: Nick Spencer / Artist: Patrick Gleason

Colorist: Edgar Delgado / Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramanga

Cover: Patrick Gleason and Edgar Delgado

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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

Spider-Man Far From Home Film Review

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Jake Gyllenhaal, Marvel, Marvel Comics, MCU, Mysterio, Peter Parker, Spider-Man, Spider-Man Far From Home, Spider-Man Far From Home film review, Spiderman Far From Home film review, Tom Holland

Spider-Man Far From Home

Review by Paul Bowler.

Tom Holland returns as Peter Parker in Spider-Man Far From home, the next chapter in Marvel’s web-spinning Spider-Man film series. Serving as a coda of sorts to this year’s blockbusting smash hit Avengers Endgame; Spider-Man Far From Home is a fun filled blend of high-school romcom, spy drama, and dazzling superhero action.

After cleverly addressing the events and aftermath of the last two Avengers films, Spider-Man far From Home quickly gets under way as Peter Parker (Tom Holland) joins his friends Ned (Jacob Batalon), MJ (Zendaya), and the rest of the classmates on a European vacation. However, Peter’s plan to take a break from all the super heroics are soon thrown into turmoil when Spider-Man’s recruited by Nick Fury (Samuel L Jackson) and teamed up with the dimension-travelling Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal) who is wracked by guilt because he failed to save his own world.

Together Spider-Man and Mysterio must confront the mysterious elemental creatures that have begun appearing and unleashing havoc across the continent. Peter Parker’s quest takes him across Europe battling elementals, but soon a new threat emerges, and only the friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man can save the day!

It’s a good job Aunt May (Marisa Tomel), now in the know about her nephew’s superhero alter-ego, decided to pack his Spidey-suit for him as there’s no rest for Spider-Man on this vacation! Tom Holland is on fine form once again as the wall-crawling hero, with Peter’s anguish over Tony Stark’s death in Avengers Endgame brining extra emotional depth to the role. Reunited with his pals from Spider-Man Homecoming for this European vacation, Peter also plans to confess his love for MJ, brilliantly played by pop star Zendaya, and it is the fizzing chemistry between Peter and MJ that provides the movie’s warm emotional core.

Of course with Spider-Man themes of great power and responsibility are never far away, and screenwriters Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers, and director Jon Watts skilfully craft further angst for Peter Parker by having Nick Fury see him as a kind of replacement for the late Tony Stark as the worlds most prominent superhero. Fury gives Peter a special pair of computerised glasses as well – equipped with an AI which Stark had intended for his successor to have – which only compounds the internal conflict further whilst also reiterating the fallout from Avengers Infinity War and Endgame. It creates an interesting and somewhat fraught dynamic between Fury and Spider-Man as Iron Man’s legacy proves a daunting prospect for the teenager, something that Peter’s not sure he even wants, or is capable of living up too as all he really wants is to do is live as normal a life as he possibly can given his extraordinary life now as Spider-Man.

Jake Gyllenhaal is also really good as Quentin Beck, AKA, Mysterio, who Peter initially sees as a similar kind of mentor figure like he did Stark. Beck claims to have come from an alternative Earth, he’s here to help stop the Elementals from destroying this world like they did his. I’ve always been a big fan of Mysterio in the comics and I was thrilled to see the character handled so well in this movie. Mysterio’s abilities look spectacular, Gyllenhaal makes the role his own, and his distinctive costume with its cloudy domed helmet looks great.

Amidst all the fun, romance, and big action set-pieces, director Jon Watts keeps Spider-Man Far From Home on an even keel. The added weight of recent events in the MCU’s continuity slots in well with the films quirky spy caper narrative, and there’s even a smattering of darker themes such as big corporate manipulation and fake news. With our amazing Spider-Man donning a number of old and new Spidey suits as his adventures take him across Europe, the callbacks to previous movies come thick and fast, and the overall geeky sense of fun is sure to delight fans. Other familiar characters also return, including Cobie Smulders as Maria Hill, and Jon Favreau as Happy Hogan.

With its great cast, crisp direction, and spectacular action Spider-Man Far From Home is sure to get your Spider Sense tingling! Brilliant fun from beginning to end, Spider-Man Far From Home provides a fitting epilogue to Avengers Endgame, and paves the way for a potentially bold new era for Spider-Man. Needless to say, this is a Marvel movie, so be sure to stay right through the credits where one of the films biggest secrets is waiting to be revealed!

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Spider-Man Far From Home Teaser Trailer Released!

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Avengers Endgame, Avengers Infinity War, Cobie Smulders, Jacob Batalon, JB Smoove, Jon Favreau, Martin Starr, Marvel, Mary Jane Watson, Mysterio, Nick Fury, Peter Parker, Samuel L Jackson, Spider-Man, Spider-Man Far From Home, Spider-Man Far From Home Teaser Trailer, Spider-Man Far From Home Trailer, Tom Holland, Zendaya

Spider-Man Far From Home Teaser Trailer Released!

The first trailer for Spider-Man Far From Home has arrived webspinners!Peter Parker returns in Spider-Man™: Far From Home, the next chapter of the Spider-Man™: Homecoming series! Our friendly neighborhood Super Hero decides to join his best friends Ned, MJ, and the rest of the gang on a European vacation. However, Peter’s plan to leave super heroics behind for a few weeks are quickly scrapped when he begrudgingly agrees to help Nick Fury uncover the mystery of several elemental creature attacks, creating havoc across the continent!

I think its a great looking trailer, wery excited for Spider-Man Far From Home, what do you think?

Directed by Jon Watts, with Screenplay by Chris McKenna & Erik Sommers, staring Tom Holland, Samuel L. Jackson, Zendaya, Cobie Smulders, Jon Favreau, JB Smoove, Jacob Batalon, Martin Starr, with Marisa Tomei, and Jake Gyllenhaal

Spider-Man Far From Home opens on July 5th! 2019!

MARVEL and all related character names: © & ™ 2019 MARVEL

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Sci-Fi Jubilee My YouTube Channel Marvel’s Spider-Man PS4

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Insomniac Games, Marvel's Spider-Man PS4, NYC, Peter Parker, PS4, Sci-Fi Jubilee, Spider-Man, Spider-Man PS4, Spider-Man PS4 Livestream, Spider-Man PS4 Walkthrough

Sci-Fi Jubilee My YouTube Channel Marvel’s Spider-Man PS4

Hello everyone and thanks for checking out my YouTube Channel! After a break to enjoy the summer, I’ve started playing Marvel’s Spider-Man PS4 by Insomniac Games. I’ve been really looking forward to the release of this new Spider-Man game, and I thought it’d be a great game for me to stream gameplay footage for you on my YouTube Channel.

Spider-Man PS4 introduces us to Peter Parker after he’s been fighting crime in for some time. In the game Peter must find a way to balance his personal life, his day job, and his crime fighting career as Spider-Man. Now a deadly new menace is about to threaten New York City, and soon Spider-Man will face his greatest challenge!

Check out the awesome start to Marvel’s Spider-Man PS4!

I can’t begin to tell you how much fun I’ve been having playing Spider-Man PS4! Insomniac Games have done an outstanding job with this game. The main storyline is an action packed adventure that deftly balances the excitement of fighting crime as Spider-Man with Peter’s life and career. The combat is acrobatic and relatively easy to master, there’s a wealth of side quests to complete, and the graphics are stunning. The web-swinging across the NYC skyline is gloriously realized as well. There’s also a brilliant photo mode; handy when you are exploring the sights – first chance I got I climbed to the top of Avengers Tower to enjoy the view!

I’d also just like to take this chance to say a big thank you for supporting my blog Sci-Fi Jubilee and my YouTube Channel – especially as I haven‘t always had quite as much free time to blog or stream games recently. My YouTube Channel is such a fun and interactive part of Sci-Fi Jubilee, and that’s all thanks to you! So cheers for liking and subscribing and be sure to look out for more Spider-Man PS4 videos and live streams on my YouTube Channel!

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Amazing Spider-Man #797 Review

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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.

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Amazing Spider-Man #31 Review

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Alex Ross, Amazing Spider-Man #31, Amazing-Sider-Man #31 review, Captain America, comics, Dan Slott, Hydra, Marte Gracia, Marvel, Marvel Comics, Marvel Legacy, Peter Parker, Secret Empire, Spider-Man, Spider-Mobile, Stuart Immonen, Superior Octopus

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

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Spider-Man Homecoming Trailer 2 Released!

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Aunt May, Captain America, Iron Man, Jon Watts, Marisa Tomei, Marvel, Marvel Comics, Michael Keaton, New Spider-Man Homecoming trailer, New York, Peter Parker, Robert Downey Jr, Spider-Man, Spider-Man Homecoming, Spider-Man Homecoming Trailer 2, Spiderman Trailer, Spidey, The Vulture, Tom Holland

Spider-Man Homecoming Trailer 2 Released!

　

Check out the all-new Spider-Man Homecoming trailer! This looks great, certainly got my Spidey sense tingling, can’t wait for this movie!

Spider-Man Homecoming arrives in theatres July 7^th 2017

 

Spider-Man Homecoming First Official Teaser Trailer Released!

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Aunt May, Iron Man, Jon Watts, Marisa Tomei, Marvel, Marvel Comics, Michael Keaton, New York, Peter Parker, Robert Downey Jr, Spider-Man, Spider-Man Homecoming, Spider-Man Homecoming Jimmy Kimmel, Spiderman Trailer, Spidey, The Vulture, Tom Holland

Spider-Man Homecoming First Official Teaser Trailer Released!

Check out the new Spider-Man Homecoming trailer first show on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

THWIPP! THWIPP! Really excited for this movie now!

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