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.

Thor: Ages of Thunder – Review

By Matt Fraction (Writer), Patrick Zircher and Khari Evans (Pencils), Patrick Zircher and Victor Olazaba (Inks), and June Chung and Jelena Kevic Djurdejevic (Colors)

With Straczynski’s best-selling Thor series exploring Thor’s exploits in the modern day, this issue gives the reader a contrasting, and much needed, look into the epic past of the Thunder God. The story opens with a prologue reminiscent of the opening of first Lord of the Rings film, detailing “Norse geography” and an ancient battle between the Asgardians and the Frost Giants. From here, Fraction shows how a mere mortal from Midgard attempts to solve a dilemma that arose from the battle in exchange for a costly prize, and how Loki, god of mischief, through making a deal with the mortal, causes severe ramifications throughout a large portion of Asgardian history. Overall, it is a tale of trickery, consequences, and heroism.

As much as I wish I was a Norse mythology buff, I’m not. So I do not know how much of this tale was borrowed from the annals of Viking lore and how much is from the mind of Fraction, himself. But no matter how much of this material is original, Fraction presents it in almost flawless language. Most of the time I felt I was reading something akin to Beowulf, yet not so archaic as to cause occasional confusion. This story somehow manages to sound ancient and modern at the same time (if that makes any sense). There are a few lines that sound a little too modern, but those are few and far between.

The art was also perfect for the story and consistent throughout. Indeed, I was surprised when I looked back at the credits after reading the issue to see that the first and second half were done by two different artists – I didn’t notice a difference. More important than consistency though was the overall look, the pencils and colors were the ultimate match for the elements of this tale. There were several epic shots of Thor in action that I would love to have as my desktop wallpaper. All components together make this the most epic comic I have read since the Beowulf graphic novel by Gareth Hinds (also highly recommended). For fans of Thor, epics, or mythology, this issue is a must. (Grade: A)

-M. Staples

A Second Opinion

I’ve always loved Thor. The language of the character, the sense of urgency in his adventures, the gleaming spires of Asgard – I ate it all up as a kid and I still get a charge when I look back at the old stuff. With that in mind, I had some difficulty in reading this book. This isn’t the same character I know and love and therefore I wanted to dislike it. Yeah, verily, I wanted to trash it. I wanted to say, “What have they done to Thor?” But a funny thing happened on the way to this review, I got caught up in the story and accepted it as a variation on one of my favorites and I enjoyed it.

This is a darker, sullen Thor. A god of few words. He sneers at drunken kinsmen, hordes the golden apples that are a key part of the story and kills frost giants by hurling himself or Mjolnir through their heads. A blood-spattered Thor is not something I’m accustomed to, but I’m sure it will appeal to many readers. It’s sort of like Thor crossed with Conan.

What kept my attention here is the story. The story “was in the time before great and good Odin stationed Brave Heimdall at the mouth of Bifrost to guard the Rainbow Bridge” and therefore reads like something from mythology. The portrayal of the gods is appropriate, they are here violent, greedy and petty – a rough crowd. The story pulled me in and kept me turning the pages and ultimately I was satisfied.

The artwork is spectacular and fits the story well. The frost giants are very cool looking and the Asgardian setting looks suitably ancient. So if you insist on an old style Thor comic, you might be disappointed. But if you’d like to read a more “blood and guts” Thor, then this book is definitely for you. It won me over and I’m looking forward to the next chapter, Thor: Reign of Blood in June. (Grade B+)

-Arthur Cooke