Advance Review: Spider-Man Spider's Shadow #1 (of 4)

A little while ago, Chip Zdarsky wrote Spider-Man a Life Story, which loads of people loved but the idea and the execution left me a tad disappointed. The idea then of writing another kind of What if? certainly feels like a bit of a retread. After all the concept of life story with its almost was and almost is kinda fills that void.

That is until now!

Set squarely in the same time as the Symbiote Spider-Man book by Peter David and Greg Land; Chip Zdarsky takes it one step further: what if Spider-Man didn’t give up the alien costume and became Venom?

Zdarsky has crafted an interesting book. It could be said that at the time of wearing the black suit, Peter Parker was probably at a bit of a less than focused part of his life, Zdarsky ramps up these elements, estranged from may and MJ Peter has no-one to turn to, though in reality there is someone there to welcome him in with open arms, legs etc. We know the negative impacts fo the alien suit; Zdarsky lays it on a bit thick, establishing the kind of psychic rapport the Brook and the suit would go to “enjoy”. Action and ramifications are both mainstays of Spidey and they again raise their heads here, with results that may surprise at t a knee jerk level, though has a certain parity, it truth be told.

The art is provided by Pasqual Ferry, who has stated Steve Ditko as one of his influences. Some of that can be seen in some of the Peter scenes, though loses some form in the black suit. As its a Spider-Man story, we get to see part of his cast along with the two parts of the Fantastic Four. If anything, I would say that the main influence in the art is Ron Frenz, which isn’t a bad start for sure. Given that art of the time was not used for Life Story in favour of Mark Bagley was one of my critiques about that book, these influences are good to see. Ferry is helped out by colorist Matt Hollingsworth, who users a darker tone of colors to emphasise the inherent darkness hidden within the alien suit. Finally, VC’s Joe Caramagna delivers a font that is readable, diverse and handles the surprisingly wordy issue.

The idea of this book may not seem wholly original, yet it comes at a time were symbiotes and Venom are enjoying a bit of a surge in interest thanks to King in Black. Regardless of my apathy towards Zadarsky’s Life Story, it is clear, through that and more importantly this book, Zdarsky has a true love for Spider-Man. I just hope that down the line, he punchline is equal to the set-up.

Writing – 4 Stars

Art – 4 Stars

Colors – 4 Stars

Overall – 4 Stars

Written by; Chip Zdarsky
Art by; Pasqual Ferry
Colors by; Matt Hollingsworth
Letters by; VC’s Joe Caramagna
Published by; Marvel Worldwide Inc.

Author Profile

Johnny "The Machine" Hughes

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