Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #5 – Review

By: Brian Michael Bendis (writer), Chris Samnee (art), Justin Ponsor (colors),

The Story: Uncle Aaron learns not to trust other criminals, and Miles stops his first mugging. They grow up so fast!

The Review: When I first started reading comics, Ultimate Spider-Man was the first Marvel book I picked up. The promise of fresh stories not mired by decades of continuity drew me in, but it was the quality and charm of that book hooked me. I have been a fan of the series all the way through its run, and have really appreciated how classy and mature Marvel has been about the death and replacement of Peter Parker with Miles Morales. I eagerly awaited each issue of our new hero’s introductory arc, and savored each one. However, after reading Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man #6, oddly, I am beginning to miss Peter.

Before we get to that though, let’s talk about the issue on its own merits. Honestly, it’s pretty good. While I miss the absolutely gorgeous work of Sara Pichelli, Chris Samnee does a fine job as fill-in artist. His style is far more cartoony than Pichelli’s, but he misses none of the nuance in the script, he gives the action great fluidity, and really captures Miles as still a kid figuring out the whole super-hero gig. Samnee also manages to give intensity to the more serious parts of the story, like Uncle Aaron’s encounter with the new Scorpion and Miles’ confrontation with his Mom about his family’s troubles with the law. There are some minor flaws, however; in a few panels, Miles appears to be about forty rather than thirteen, and for some reason when we see an image of Peter Parker, the spider symbol on his costume is upside down.

I’m also conflicted about the colors, courtesy of Justin Ponsor. Personally, I don’t care for such flat colors in this title. I can’t help but feel that more vibrant choices would have better matched both the inks and the tone of the story. But to be fair, Ponsor does succeed in producing an urban vibe in this issue, allowing the tones of concrete and brick to dominate the page. Also, this dull quality is actually pretty effective in Aaron’s scenes, helping Samnee’s art communicate a more sinister and unwelcoming atmosphere.

Amazing Spider-Man #572 – Review

By Dan Slott (writer), John Romita Jr. (pencils), Klaus Janson (inks), and Dean White (colors)

If you haven’t been keeping up with “New Ways to Die,” now is not the time to follow behind the hearse. But for those fans who jumped on board from the start of Brand New Day, issue #572 is a treat. Dan Slott skillfully entangles new plot threads into the arc including some lovin’ and new takes on old villains.

So far, Spider-Man’s being hunted by old nemesis Norman Osborn and his hero-hunting Thunderbolts. While searching the city, Venom (Gargan) mistakes Eddie Brock for the wall-crawler. Recently cured of cancer by the miraculous powers of Martin Li (Mr. Negative), Brock transforms into the Anti-Venom and begins to suck the symbiont out of Gargan. Anti-Venom then tries curing Spider-Man of the symbiont in his blood, and decides to cure him of his irradiated blood, too. Spidey is saved, ironically, by the arrival of the Thunderbolts who take Gargan (and secretly Brock as well) back to base. Meanwhile, Osborn comes to face to face with the Menace, who reveals his plans of controlling New York City politics, which is being disrupted by Osborn presence in Manhattan.  Osborn is beaten, but discovers Spider-Man’s connection to Peter Parker: his Camera.

In this issue, Osborn sends the maniacal Bullseye to catch Spider-Man using the tracking technology in Peter’s camera while he devises a weapon to kill the Anti-Venom… and cure cancer! Beneath that grizzled, bare-knuckled old business man is a psychotic villain with no sense of decency! Spidey has his hands full, as usual, helping Aunt May rebuild the wrecked F.E.A.S.T. Center and trying to milk Harry for information on his dad.

The issue’s tone is a bit different from the previous as we see more of Peter’s life coming into play. Despite numerous baddies out to get him, Slott manages to slip in some sexual tension for Web-head. As Peter tries to figure out what Harry’s knows about Oscorp’s medical activities, he suddenly becomes the emotional crutch of Harry’s girlfriend, Lily Hollister. Possibly a combination of helplessness over her injured father and neglect by Harry, Lily confides in Peter and brings his hand to her lips. The dialogue doesn’t lend itself to a spur of the moment interest in Peter as he’s simply giving generic answers and busy trying to eavesdrop on Harry’s phone call with his dad. There has been something building over the past months between these two that has finally manifested itself when says: “I made a promise. That I’d never let something like that happen again… to anyone I love.” The out-pouring of sensitivity and control appealed to Lily and thus she is smitten. This revelation adds to the depth of their relationship, while emphasizing Peter’s natural attractiveness and his need to keep such feelings at a distance lest the other gets hurt.

We also get an new relationship between Eddie Brock and Spider-man. When Bullseye and his Osborn goons descend on Spider-Man in The Coffee Bean, Brock comes to the rescue. The two duo make an interesting team and its nice to see the hesitant loner side of Spider-Man again. His abrasive and reluctant acceptance of the new Brock makes the story genuinely convincing. “Fine, you wanna help? Take out the guns. Bullseye’s mine!” He’s willing to work with the Anti-Venom so far he does his job, and Spidey gets the big guys.

Lastly, the turn in Osborn also marks a defining point in this story arc.  The man who has been plotting and scheming for the past five issues goes goblin-$@#% crazy and suddenly the man with the plans is the most unpredictable guy in the room. Not to give any juicy bit away, but Romita Jr’s depiction of this change with a certain green and purple mask effectively transforms the cutthroat business man into the visual lunactic. The wide yellow eyes and permanent sadistic smile denotes the new threat to Spider-Man: his archnemesis is back!

With all this hitting the fan, how can you resist finding out “New Ways to Die”? (Grade: A)

-Steven M. Bari