Amazing Spider-Man #593 – Review

By Mark Waid (writer), Mike McKone (pencils), Lanning and Kessel (inks), Jeremy Cox (colors)

The Story: “24/7” continues! When Peter returns from a cosmic voyage with the Fantastic Four he discovers that he has lost two months of his life. However, that was the smallest surprise he is greeted with while the biggest is that J.J. Jameson has been elected mayor of NYC.  In an effort to annoy and trump over the new Mayor, Peter decides to be Spider-Man 24/7, hence the name of this arc.

This issue picks up the story as Peter has walked in on Aunt May in bed with a surprise character–someone who is close to both Peter and JJ. He then must deal with JJ’s spidey hit squad, followed by a memorable encounter with the new Vulture.

What’s Good: Its hard to say what is better in this issue: the writing or the art. Both Mark Waid and Mike McKone are firing on both cylinders. However, the edge goes to McKone for an outstanding diversity of expression and tone. For example, Peter’s emotions are clearly visible, the fight scenes with the Vulture (and the new Vulture himself) are terrifying, and landscapes and rooms are clean and detailed.

The new conception of Vulture is really well done and unexpected. When I heard there was going to be a new Vulture I was a little apprehensive, but this new vulture is chock full of mystery and seems like a real threat to Spidey, for a change. I also really enjoy the way Waid portrays Peter and narrates his thought process alongside his actions. Of all the writers currently working on Spider-Man, he seems to have the most “authentic” take on Peter. Waid also naturally nails classic Spidey humor and hi-jinx.

What’s Not So Good: There were some moments in this story that had poor plot logic. Take when Peter walks in on Aunt May and her lover. One would think that Peter would leave the house (where he entered unannounced) and distance himself from the awkward moment, but instead he…takes a shower! At her house! Huh? I understand that Waid had to have a scene where Peter and May talk about what happened, but this particular scripting doesn’t make any sense.

Also, there was a point in the story where Peter reveals his suppressed emotions around Norman Osborn. Obviously, it was interjected as a foreshadow for Joe Kelly’s, “American Son” arc that kicks off soon, but it just seemed forced and unnecessary.

Conclusion: This is good Spider-Man. The ending was particularly well played and I was left with the sense that something important, at least for the short term, had transpired in Spidey Mythos. I can’t recall experiencing McKone’s art before, but he’s made a fan out of me. I look forward to seeing how this arc wraps up think that ASM is coming back to life after the dud of “Character Assassination” and all those plot lines. Interestingly, there had been a lot of banter on the web, especially from our modest web site, for the editors of ASM to lose the focus on new cast of characters in Peter’s life post- Brand New Day. It seems that is exactly what has happened of late and ASM is all the better for it.

Grade: B+

-Rob G.