Avenging Spider-Man #22 – Review

By: Christopher Yost (Writer), David Lopez (Artist), Rachelle Rosenberg (Colorist)

The Story: Mysterio is loose in New York as he has gathered the attention of both Spider-Ock and the Punisher. Yet, is everything all that it seems?

The Review: Avenging Spider-Man is a dead title, as it will soon be replaced by another one, called Superior Spider-Man Team-Up (a book I shall review). As the title concludes, Christopher Yost gives us what he did best on this title: single issues story that had a beginning, middle and a conclusion. Here, we see Spider-Ock dealing with a new Mysterio, as per the whole ‘’Sinister Six’’ deal his story had while he also deals with Frank Castle. However, does this single story make for a good ending point toward the renumbering and the newer title this series will get?

The short answer would be no, as the story itself does not really deal clearly with a new status quo or even with new methods until the last page and it’s not exactly something naturally added to the story. However, this does not make this issue bad in any way, as the story itself is still fairly enjoyable with some twists and turns and some good interactions from Spider-Ock with other characters from the Marvel universe.

Avengers Academy #14 – Review

By: Christos Gage (writer), Sean Chen (penciller), Scott Hanna (inker), Jeromy Cox (colorist), John Denning (assistant editor), Bill Rosemann (editor)

The Story: Electro attacks France’s main science institute while most of the full-fledged Avengers are away. The kids need a chance to prove themselves and Electro isn’t the baddest guy in town. When they get there, though, it turns out he ain’t alone. The kids don’t do too bad, though, all things considered.

What’s Good: Gage did one thing every great writer must do. He made the heroes active. They wanted something. They wanted it bad, and we the reader can sympathize: they want to prove themselves. They’re not asking for a free lunch. Just put me in the game coach. I like them already. This situation also creates a lot of tension, because when has any battle plan survived contact with the enemy? I love how well the trainees do against the Sinister Six and I have to say, I really like the ending. For a while, when I saw how they got the bad press and all, I was thinking “Oh great. Another thin persecution story. Seen it.” But Gage tricked me. That wasn’t the end. The end was about stepping up to the plate morally that was the big climax of the book. The fight, for all that it was a great superhero donnybrook, was really just a plot device to get to the personal growth made by a surprising number of people at the end. What am I saying about the writing? Gage was right on target.

And, I have to say, after my first exposure to the Chen-Hanna-Cox team, I’m loving the art. The fine lines leave a lot of room to fill the panels with detail, which I love. The credit page is a pretty good example of this. From top to bottom, the big panel is brimming with the external accoutrements of the Avengers Mansion, the backgrounded and framing characters, the tight line of those arguing, with some intense Giant-Man action thrown in as background. That is visual storytelling! And Cox’ colors are beautiful and clear, with the bright spots attracting the eye to the important parts of the page. I also enjoyed Chen’s slanting camera angles and overlaid panels. His layouts and choices of borders (or not) kept the pages from ever feeling the same. Chen and team made it feel like there was so much action going on that it could only be layered. And a PS: I loved the texture of Reptile and Rhino when they slapped down.

Amazing Spider-Man #620 – Review

by Dan Slott (writer), Marcos Martin & Javier Pulido (art), Javier Rodriguez (colors), and Joe Caramagna (letters)

The Story: Mysterio’s plot comes to its explosive conclusion.

What’s Good: Thus far, I’ve been somewhat underwhelmed by Dan Slott’s “Mysterioso” arc, but this final issue is probably the best of the lot.

One of the chief reasons for this is that Slott suddenly remembers to bring the silliness and sense of humor that has marked out much of his writing, particularly on ASM.  Most of these comedic moments come thanks to Mysterio himself, who really is a fun read.  His fight with Spidey in particular was absolutely hilarious, as was his eventual fate at issue’s end.

Slott really makes Mysterio into an almost unconsciously self-deprecating character.  For all his pomp and ornamentation, Quentin Beck’s just a petty criminal at heart and this juxtaposition between costume and man leads to some pretty humorous moments.  At times,  you also get that “retro-villain” feeling of Mysterio’s setting himself up for failure, which only makes the character more enjoyable.  Certainly, seeing his very self-aware “performances” is also quite the laugh, especially as he gesticulates wildly and speaks with gusto in his portrayal of Silvermane.

Meanwhile, the art on this arc continues to be generally enjoyable, furthering that retro, pulpy feel that the Gauntlet seems to be aspiring towards.  Certainly, it lends itself well to Spider-Man himself and the always ridiculous-looking Mysterio.  Martin’s work really brings out the old school flavor inherent in these colorful characters, bringing out their core, campy essences.

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #4 – Review

By Brian Michael Bendis (Writer), David Lafuente (Pencils), Justin Ponsor (Colorist)

The Story: Following the drama of Johnny Storm moving in, and the shouting-contest with MJ, Spider-Man finally faces bigger challenges this month. The mysterious hooded vigilante (aka the Shroud) serves up his/ her brand of justice once again, while saving MJ. Meanwhile, Mysterio strikes, cementing his position as NY’s #1 bad guy.

What’s Good: Almost everything but the art. Bendis crafts a good Spider-Man story, weaving together entertaining and cinematic action with the signature focus on the “human aspects” for the teen hero. From MJ’s emotional breakdown to the chemistry developing within the Parker family, Bendis does an amazing job highlighting family and relationships– two crucial aspects to the Spider-Man mythos. In between all the explosions and chaos, it’s good to see that Bendis can still cleverly finds ways to fit in all the proper character drama that make up a good Spider-Man book. A perfect example of this is with the use of the character on the cover. He/she reluctantly shows up and makes for some good opening action, while his/ her effect on the characters not only moves this arc forward, but also brings about an interesting character change in MJ, while possibly introducing a new conflict for Peter. Issue #4 holds as Bendis delivers in character and relationship developments.

What’s Not So Good: Lafuente’s manga style continues to fail. Peter’s hair still sucks. Speed lines look last minute. And there’s way too much gratuitous anime-style eating and food debris flying. I understand how Lafuente’s style is supposed to fit with USM, especially with the series dedicated to all the high school drama… But do all these goofy, stocked anime scenes have to make the pages? I just wish the exaggerated reactions and the ridiculous looking characters weren’t such a distraction for a story that’s packed with this much drama.

Conclusion: Ultimate Comics Spider-Man scores pretty high this month, as Bendis gives us the familiar compelling Spider-Man storytelling. If Bendis can consistently deliver memorable villains and the exciting drama surrounding Parker’s relationship issues, Ultimate Comics Spider-Man might not just be a good reboot of the character and the series, but it might just be the Spider-Man book that everyone should be reading.

Grade: B-

-Raymond Hilario

Ultimate Spider-Man Annual #3 – Review

By Brian Bendis (writer), David Lafuente (artist), John Rauch (colors)

What’s The Big Deal? This is the much anticipated issue where Peter and Mary Jane deal with sex – and maybe have it. But this plot mechanism is quickly undermined by the emergence of Mysterio and his clever bank heists. The police employs Spidey’s help and together they work to take down the master of illusions.

What’s Good? David Lafuente is not only a hell of a storyteller, but a master of action. The stuff we get early in the issue with Spider-Man dealing with a runaway car is dizzying and exciting. This guy’s one to look out for, though haters of Manga art may be turned off.

Brian Bendis’ script is tight, entertaining, and full of sincere moments. Oh, and Mary Jane in panties will have fanboys aroused.

What’s Not So Good? Lafuente’s rendition of Spider-Man looks too goofy and too young for my tastes. Then there’s Mysterio who looks too much like Chamber from Generation X (remember that book?).

The deflecting of the big story at hand and the real reason everyone bought this issue is also unsatisfying.

Conclusion: Mary Jane and Brian Bendis not only cockblock Peter, but the readers as well. Peter takes it like the good guy he is; our lovable loser gets another night of blue balls. A wasted opportunity!

Grade: B-

– J. Montes