Amazing Spider-Girl #18 – Review

By Tom DeFalco (writer), Ron Frenz (pencils), Sal Buscema (inks), Bruno Hang (colors)

After a somewhat disappointing issue last month, Spider-Girl gets back on track and wraps up the current story arc in fine fashion. I’m really impressed; it’s like Tom DeFalco read my complaints and addressed every one of them. Right from the get-go, we’re thrust into the middle of Crimelord’s auction of Kingpin’s “secret files”. With just about the whole crime community of New York ready to bid, Hobgoblin crashes the party with the intent of being the sole owner of the files.

Little does he know that Crimelord is prepared for him. After a sniper destroys the Hobgoblin’s glider, he’s surrounded by a mob of angry thugs. It’s here that he unleashes Mindworm to do his bidding. But Mindworm, finally showing a bit of intelligence, double crosses Hobgoblin and uses his powers to take control of everyone in the room (except Spider-Girl). In a desperate move, the Hobgoblin frees Spider-Girl. Together, butt-kicking ensues.

This issue does a nice job of addressing all the questions posed from this story arc. We learn the identity of Crimelord (it’s not who you think it is!), we get the results of Ben’s surgery, Spider-Girl finally kicks the crap out of Deadspot, and we learn the fate of Mindworm and the Hobgoblin. Perhaps the only thing missed was the whole reveal of who Deadspot is. She’ll be back, for sure.

It’s great to see the creative team back in good form. I was afraid they’d hit a creative wall after the dragging we were put through last issue. Great way to end an arc. Oh and that last page with Wes, May, and Gene. Wow… just wow! (Grade: B)

– J. Montes

Amazing Spider-Girl #17 – Review

By Tom Defalco (script), Ron Frenz (pencils), Sal Buscema (inks), Bruno Hang (colors)

I hate to say it, but this issue was pretty boring. The aspect I love the most about this series is May Parker, the person. We don’t get much of it this issue. Instead the villains take center stage and sadly, they are an uninteresting lot. Why? Because while there may be a big auction taking place among crime lords, none of them posses the viciousness, charisma, or cunning as someone like The Kingpin. What we’re given instead is a bunch of washed up thugs vying for Kingpin’s scraps. It’s just not very compelling.

Wait a sec! I’m not done yet.

This story with Hobgoblin and Mindworm needs to be finished… soon. May needs to expose Detective Drasco as the Crimelord. And she needs to lay the smack down on Deadspot. I mean, for a villain who was so prominent last issue, she (Deadspot) sure is given the shaft this issue as she’s relegated to a brief cameo appearance. At least she has May somewhat concerned for her well-being, too. That’s the kind of villain I want to see in my Spider-Girl books, not these lowlifes who want to be a third string Kingpin!

The stuff I do like is fleeting at best. Gene Thompson has been trying to reconcile with May for months and once again we’re given one page where nothing is addressed. The Parkers finally receive news that Ben’s hearing can be restored with an operation. That’s good progression. What bothers me, however, is Peter nor May seem to be scoffing at the fact that the hospital will need blood samples from them. This has always been a serious issue in the past – why isn’t it now?

Ron Frenz delivers solid art, as always. Tom DeFalco, however, has dropped the ball with this story line. Hopefully, he can wrap this up by next issue and we can move on to better things. (Grade: D+)

– J. Montes