For those who are tired of the multi-layered, slow paced stuff that is currently masquerading as Amazing Spider-Man, this book serves to fill a gap in the market place. On a recent Ol’ Timers Comic Book Show pod; when discussing volume one of the Spectacular Spider-Man, I stated that series was a thinking mans Spidey book. With an argument to be made for Amazing to have taken that title, this new series then becomes the summer, park your brain action book.
A chaotic battle in Midtown, a student in distress and jump cuts between the recent past and the present make this a go with the flow kind of book. It is a shame then, that the things that make Spidey a fun character feel a little pigeon-holed in here.
The book is written by comic veteran Joe Kelly who has worked across the aisles a number of times, possibly the biggest being the creation of the Elite and Manchester Black back in Action Comics #775. Kelly does have a number of writing styles, required for the various characters he has worked on. Here, the wise cracking hero should be a fit for Spidey, but without the nuance of a regular cast and small Peter Parker cameo, the quips don’t always ring true. Instead there is a frustrated “been there, seen that” type of vibe. Maybe that says more about me than it does about the Kelly’s writing, especially as Kelly does deliver what is required for this title; a fast pace, action packed,”bomb-on-a-bus’ type of story.
Joining Kelly, is another veteran in penciller Chris Bachalo who has a more than a fair share of books under his belt. Bachalo has a unique style that incorporates an animation style which accentuates movement and pace, both key elements for this book. I described the opening battle as chaotic; its also quite long, filling the majority of the book. In the quieter pieces, Bachalo’s faces may cause consternation from traditionalists as will a couple of odd Spider-Man heads. For me, I think Bachalo is trying give the book a look more in keeping with the more recent cartoon shows. Inks are handled by Tim Townsend who uses a heavy line to help extract Spidey from the action and the backgrounds. With heavy inks, must come heavy colors (to paraphrase a certain well know and appropriate truism). These are provided by Marcio Menyz who utilises a good level of depth to the scheme as well as greying out the past seque. Finally, letters are provided by VC’s Travis Lanham who must have had a hard time trying to squeeze in the dialogue in-between all the flying, swinging and explosions.
There are two ways to look at this book. On one hand, this isn’t my type of affair in any shape way or form. Loudness and chaos are the watch words, detracting a little from everything that makes Spidey, well, Spidey. On the other hand, this book is exactly what it is advertised as; a fast paced big fight told by a couple of the industries most competent storytellers.
Writing – 3 Stars
Art – 3.5 Stars
Colors – 3 Stars
Overall – 3 Stars
Written by; Joe Kelly
Art by; Chris Bachalo
Inks by; Tim Townsend
Colors by; Marcio Menyz
Letters by; Vc’s Travis Lanham
Published by; Marvel Worldwide Inc.
Author Profile
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I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow
Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network
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