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Alex Ross, Cam Smith, comics, Dan Slott, Giuseppe Camuncoli, Marte Gracia, Marvel, Marvel Comics, Peter Parker, Silk, Spider-Man, Spider-Woman, Spiderman 2099, Spidermobile, Spidey, The Amazing Spider-Man #1, The Amazing Spider-Man #1 review, Web Warriors, Zodiac
The Amazing Spider-Man #1
Review by Paul Bowler
Parker Industries and Spider-Man have gone global, with the All-New, All-Different relaunch in Marvel’s The Amazing Spider-Man #1, as Peter juggles the web-spinning adventures between his business headquarters in New-York, Shanghai, London, and San Francisco – with his personal “bodyguard” Spider-Man tagging along for the ride naturally! But Peter Parker’s newfound success has as caught the attention of the revamped Zodiac, who have also set their sights on global expansion, and its up to Spider-Man to stop them!
Amazing Spider-Man #1 continues with the assured creative team of writer Dan Slott and artist Giuseppe Camuncoli, as this all-new direction for our favourite wall crawling hero sets out a whole new status-quo for the series, and an exciting new era for Peter Parker as his life finally seems to be getting on track.
Dan Slott quickly brings us up to speed with the dramatic turn of events in Peter’s life. Peter Parker and his company are now house-hold names, famous around the world, he now develops new technology for S.H.I.E.L.D and the public market. The action begins with a high-speed Spider-Mobile chase in Shanghai as Spider-Man and Mockingbird pursue the Zodiac operatives who have stolen some webware servers from Parker Industries. These opening sequences with the Spider-Mobile are really exciting, action-packed, and full of Spidey’s trademark humour – the joke he makes about Kraven’s nipples is hilarious!
Its during Peter’s press conference where Slott really sets out everything this new direction for the series will entail for Parker Industries. It even pokes fun at Parker being a “poor man’s Tony Stark”, perhaps knowingly addressing concerns this series might be like that, but of course we needn’t have worried, Peter has a clear goal in mind and is determined to uses the great power of his company responsibly. Peter seems a lot more mature and confident now, he’s also intent on making amends for some of his past mistakes, particularly certain events that happened when Doc Ock took over his body and became the Superior Spider-Man, and he travels to a wedding in San Francisco to make sure he does just that.
The fantastic artwork by Giuseppe Camuncoli effortlessly draws you into the action. From the frenetic chase sequences with the Spider-Mobile in Shanghai, to the press conference, and finally the round-the-world trip to the wedding in San Francisco, the sheer level of detail on every page is stunning. Spidey has never looked better in my opinion, the gadgets – especially those multi-function web-shooters – are inspired. The new Spider-Mobile is without doubt one of the big highlights of Amazing Spider-Man #1, it is one seriously cool looking vehicle, and I’d hazard a guess it could give the Batmobile a run for its money! The inks by Cam Smith enhance the intricate detail of Camuncoli’s art perfectly, while colorist Marte Gracia’s vivid hues and tones gives every page an almost cinematic sheen, and the cover by Alex Ross is beautiful.
With its vast cast of character, the new threat posed by Zodiac to the world, and the perils of inviting Peter Parker to a wedding, all add up to make this issue a thrilling, and exciting read. There’s also one last surprise waiting at Parker Industries in London too, and I can’t wait to see how that develops! Yes, there’s a hefty price tag on this issue, but I guarantee its well worth it. This huge issue devotes even more pages than usual for the main storyline, there’s also several backup stories that offer previews of the other Spider-Titles and storylines: including Silk, Spidey, Spiderman 2099, Spider-Woman, Web Warriors, and lots more besides!
I’ve always been a big Spider-Man fan, while the previous volume didn’t quite live up to my expectations, I really enjoyed The Amazing Spider-Man #1, and I think we are in for something really special here with this new direction. With its great story by Dan Slott and art Giuseppe Camuncoli, The Amazing Spider-Man #1 is one Marvel All-New, All-Different, title that will be webbed into my pull-list from now on, a brilliant issue!
Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Dan Slott
Art: Giuseppe Camuncoli
Inks: Cam Smith
Colors: Marte Gracia
Letters: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover: Alex Ross
Sci-Fi Jubilee 