The Amazing Spider-Man [2022] #5 - Marvel Comics

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN No. 5, September 2022

Ending “the first arc of this historic new volume” of “The Amazing Spider-Man”, this twenty-page periodical arguably still proved something of a good jumping on issue for those Wall-crawling fans unsure of Zeb Wells’ pedigree writing “one of the most popular and iconic comic book superheroes of all time.” Indeed, courtesy of its narrative exclusively focusing upon the fall-out of Web-head single-handedly destroying the Rose’s criminal organisation, this particular edition actually makes quite an enjoyable stand-a-lone instalment of the ongoing series.

For openers, the American author rather enchantingly uses the green-skinned villain Vegas Thirteen as an intriguing, and somewhat tongue-in-cheek, bookend, who not only helps illustrate just how disastrously far Richard Fisk has fallen from power. But also suggests at the end that perhaps the Schemer’s sole-surviving henchman may still be in a position to win back some of his boss’ lost turf before he’s been released from police custody; “Digger found us! We got nothing that can stop him! We’re losing everything!”

Similarly as proficiently penned is arguably the “Robot Chicken” director’s depiction of the forimably-powerful criminal Maggia, with a victorious Tombstone still being unwilling to risk the wrath of his surviving peers if they ever get wind of his ‘close relationship’ with Peter Parker’s alter-ego. In fact, despite this sadly somewhat short-lived meeting of the marvel Universe's mafia almost being suffocated out amidst some much more action-packed sequences, the ‘sword of Damocles’ it creates above Alonzo Lincoln’s head remains in play for the rest of the comic - especially towards its end when Spider-man surprisingly appears at the albino’s home and threatens to reveal all to the likes of Madame Masque.

Definitely providing the brutally battered titular character with some disturbingly visible facial bruising is artist John Romita Junior, who manages to help sell a good deal of this book’s tension with just a look in each character’s eyes. Furthermore, the Eisner Award-winner does a very good job in illustrating both Digger’s pent-up anger and frustration, as well as the hoodlum’s concern that the Rose will “hunt me to the ends of the Earth when he gets out”, even when it’s done via the “Gamma-irritated being” humorously tossing a half-eaten ice cream cone out of a car before his employer sees him.

Writer: Zeb Wells, Penciler: John Romita JR., and Inker: Scott Hanna

The Amazing Spider-Man [2022] #26 - Marvel Comics

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN No. 26, July 2023

Touted by “Marvel Worldwide” as far back as February 2023 as being “a heartbreaking issue that will have fans everywhere talking”, this thirty-one-page periodical definitely throws its audience straight into the deep end with a sense-shattering opening which features Spider-Man squaring off against the seemingly all-powerful Doctor Benjamin Rabin. True, those unfamiliar with the “monumental story unfolding” during Zeb Wells’ current run on this title might momentarily be scratching their heads in confusion at Norman Osborn’s Gold Goblin alter-ego, and Mary Jane Watson’s surprisingly intimate long-term relationship with “the mysterious Paul”. But a quick perusal of this book’s introductory synopsis arguably provides enough plot threads for the vast majority of this comic’s readers to hold onto as they’re pulled through a narrative packed full of super-heroes, maniacal monsters and edge-of-the-seat chases down debris-filled alleyways. 

Furthermore, the “Annie Award-winning writer” does a sound job of further filling in some gaps for the ‘uninformed’ via a series of flashback sequences featuring Kamala Khan’s job interview at Oscorp Tower, as well as an understandably tense confrontation between Peter Parker and his former wife when she reveals the new love of her life is actually the murderous Emissary’s son. These insights genuinely help explain some of the characters’ motivations during this publication’s climatic battle and coupled with the somewhat antagonistic exchanges between Web-head and the Fantastic Four, suggest just how much of an arduous journey the Wall-crawler has been on during his efforts to rescue Watson; “Maybe a thank you is more appropriate. Reed whipped together a flying car just to come help you.”

Debatably this comic’s greatest asset though, alongside Wells’ thoroughly engrossing penmanship, is John Romita Junior’s pulse-pounding pencilling, which marvellously captures all the ferocity of the battle taking place in New York City. Whether it be the fast-paced flurry of fists smacking into the Scribble-man from a variety of super-powered sources, or the incredibly well-drawn giant Xibalba dragon summoned to aid Rabin in his deadly death march, the artwork is a veritable feast for any bibliophiles’ eyes. Indeed, it’s arguably difficult not to actually feel the heat emanating from an incredibly angry Spider-man as he desperately batters his evil foe within an inch of his life with a parking meter or hear Ms. Marvel’s final, choking breaths as she ultimately sacrifices herself to save both the world and Mary Jane.

The regular cover art of "THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN" #26 by John Romita JR

Ms. Marvel & Venom #1 - Marvel Comics

MS. MARVEL & VENOM No. 1, November 2022

Featuring an initially tense collaboration between its titular characters and then a pulse-pounding team-up with arguably some of Marvel Worldwide’s hottest current properties, Jody Houser’s storyline for this thirty-page “concluding movement of the super hero symphony of the summer” certainly seems to strike all the high-notes a reader might expect from so enthusiastically hyped a comic book event. Sure, the decidedly feel-good atmosphere of this publication’s ending doesn’t allow its script to delve too deep into the disconcertingly dark background of its main antagonist, the mutant-hating Man with the Peacock Tattoo. But there’s still plenty of gruesome mutilation, body horror and desperate, last minute acts of bravado to intimate just how truly despicable XENO’s world aims actually are.

Furthermore, the American author does a great job in demonstrating just how far Kamala Khan has grown since becoming “the newest holder of the Ms. Marvel identity”, by repeatedly comparing the teenager’s laudable actions with those of the much more inexperienced, and frankly petulant, Dylan Brock. These differences show an intriguing maturity in “Giant Girl” and definitely adds some credibility to her later ‘leading’ the likes of Wolverine and Moon Knight into battle against a small army of massively-mutated grotesques; “You realise they were targeted because of how hard it is to kill them, right?”

By far this comic’s greatest hook though, lies in its sense-shattering set-pieces. Houser does a first-rate job in giving both her central leads plenty to do within the investigation-heavy narrative, as well as showcasing their amazing special powers. In addition, the tension between the two contrasting personalities provides some memorable moments of dialogue, especially when Brock acts like “a real jerk” and unsuccessfully attempts to take the credit for them locating the underground lair of X-Force’s lethal adversaries.

Also nobly contributing to this book’s triumph has to be Dave Wachter’s eye-catching layouts. The illustrator does a particularly good job in pencilling the sheer chaos surrounding Khan early on in this story, when she is firmly focused upon saving a large number of residents from their fast-collapsing block of flats. However, it is arguably the artist’s incredibly repugnant flesh monsters, and their evident physical pain at being so tragically transformed, which will linger longest in the memory of this issue’s audience.

The regular cover art to "MS. MARVEL & VENOM" #1 by Sara Pichelli & Federico Blee

Ms. Marvel & Wolverine #1 - Marvel Comics

MS. MARVEL & WOLVERINE No. 1, October 2022

Rather enthusiastically proclaimed by its New York-based publisher as containing a team-up with “one of the Marvel Universe’s most lauded heroes in an oversized action-packed adventure”, this opening instalment of a three-issue saga certainly showcases both the body-morphing abilities and endearing characteristics which helped win Sana Amanat’s co-creation “the Hugo Award for best graphic story in 2015.” In fact, Kamala Khan’s innocent uncertainty as to just what is going on throughout the assault upon Central Park’s “crazy futuristic treehouse” rather nicely matches that of the audience, and thus arguably helps them share a common bond together as the storytelling progresses.

Of course, perhaps this comic’s biggest selling-point is the inclusion of Wolverine, as well as the rest of the highly popular X-Men, and Jody Houser’s writing definitely doesn’t disappoint in providing the mutant super-group with plenty of scintillating spotlight. Ever grumpy and willing to take a bloody hit just to get a deadly strike of his claws home, Logan clearly takes the centre-stage whenever the Canadian is featured in a pulse-pounding panel. Yet rather pleasingly, that doesn’t mean for a moment that mainstay team members Rogue, Marvel Girl, Cyclops, Storm and even the likes of Hisako Ichiki, aren’t also given plenty of robotic bug-busting action to get their teeth into whenever the opportunity allows.

Furthermore, the Eisner Award-nominee doesn’t simply settle for having the planet’s protectors effortlessly whip their miniscule opponents within moments, courtesy of Scott Summer’s devastatingly sweeping visor-blasts or Ms. Marvel’s all-encompassing “embiggened hands.” Instead, preferring for the protagonists to overcome their foes’ sheer weight of numbers with a well-thought out, coordinated plan involving Wolverine and Ororo Munroe; “I suppose it was too much to hope that my visit to Earth wouldn’t coincide with some sort of attack..?”

Equally as enthralling as the mysterious motivation behind the tiny, murderous machine’s Machiavellian mission are the excellent layouts of Ze Carlos and colorist, Erick Arciniega, who together provide this thirty-page periodical with plenty of attention-grabbing eye-candy. Indeed, the art team’s portrayal of its colourfully costumed female titular character is worth the comic’s cover price alone, especially once she starts using her great size to swat, stomp and splat as many of the metallic bugs as possible.

The regular cover art to "MS. MARVEL & WOLVERINE" #1 by Sara Pichelli & Federico Blee

Ms. Marvel & Moon Knight #1 - Marvel Comics

MS. MARVEL & MOON KNIGHT No. 1, October 2022

Touted as “the super hero spectacle of the summer” by “Marvel Worldwide”, Jody Houser’s narrative for Issue One of "Ms. Marvel And Moon Knight" definitely delivers a ferociously-paced fright-fest, which barely slows down the moment Kamala Khan nervously enters the Midnight Mission and asks its smartly-dressed owner for help dealing with “swarms of tiny robots in your neighbourhood.” Indeed, many a perusing bibliophile will probably have found themselves hooked just as soon as they saw this publication’s opening page depicting some hapless New Yorker being chased down an alleyway by a horde of apparently tiny, unseen nightmares.

Enjoyably, this thirty-page periodical doesn’t simply contain dynamic fight sequences just for the sake of it either, courtesy of the “New York Times best-seller” thickening her plot with ever-adapting, intelligent automatons which repeatedly threaten to overwhelm the titular characters with a terrifying tide of metallic claws and teeth. This overriding mystery as to the purpose of the relentless rats genuinely manages to hold all this comic’s set-pieces firmly together, and even allows for the audience to be potentially wrong-footed on occasion, such as when the highly anticipated second wave of rodents diverts away from Marc Spector in order to attack the city’s other Fist of Khonshu.

Ultimately however, this comic will probably be primarily judged on its portrayal of pulse-pounding pugilism, and it’s definitely not lacking in this department. The American author is seemingly at the very top of her game penning Ms. Marvel’s team-up with Moon Knight, and isn’t at all stingy in giving both crime-fighters plenty of spotlight to demonstrate their significantly contrasting close combat skills. In fact, Houser even manages to squeeze in a brief altercation between the Crescent Crusader and a local dealer, who stupidly catches the cowled vigilante’s ire just as this book’s adventure is starting; “There’s been a man lurking on our corner. Trying to push drugs on the neighbourhood kids.”

Helping Jody not pull any punches with this book is Ibraim Roberson, whose awesome pencilling adds an extra element of adrenalin-laced action to its proceedings. The visual artist is particularly impressive sketching all the razor-fanged, red-eyed rats scampering around the different locations, and imbuing Khan’s giant-sized fists with plenty of pulverising power whenever she throws a hefty haymaker.

The regular cover art to "MS. MARVEL & MOON KNIGHT" #1 by Sara Pichelli & Federico Blee