Review: Amazing Spider-Man #4 (Lgy #898)

Normally, I worry about fortnightly books. Somewhere along the way something has to give, be it the dreaded fill-in issue or artist. Thankfully, we are 4 issues in over serval weeks and so far the tension and the art remain on point.

Spidey is in a bad way. Cuffed and chained in a bondage outfit to rival any Wonder Woman situation, he now faces the bullet, literally! Now faced with gun to the head, the Rose to protect form Tombstones gang war and Robbie to protect from Tombstone, Spidey’s situation couldn’t be more dire. So why. is his spider-sense not tingling?

A while ago I stated that Chip Zdarsky had revolutionized Daredevil, turning the a book into a generational hit. It seems that Zeb Wells has taken a leaf out of Zdarsky’s playbook and decided the best Spider-Man story is the down and dirty one. Wells does well to even the playing field, ensuring that Spidey is always on the back foot, a situation that requires more than spider powers. Under Wells, Tombstone has become the sharpest tool in the box; I was only halfway right as to how Spidey would escape showing that Wells is also aware that his readers probably have been around the block a few times so surprises have to keep on coming. The dialogue works well, an annoyed Spider-Man with his inner monologue helps keep the reader focused.

I have ran out of superlatives for John Romita JR. on this book. The actions scenes are dynamic, as you would expect, but it’s the faces that really shine throughout this book. This is a key aspect as there is quite. bit to “sell”. Also making an appearance is Black Cat. I sometimes worry about how Romita JR.’s normally heavy pencils work with the fairer sex; on this occasion I needn’t have worried. Both MJ and Felicia look great! Of course Romita Jr. is helped by inker Scott Hanna who helps accent both the action and trim the quieter (yes, there are some), moments in the book. Marcio Menyz’s colors pull double duty in places with the constant change of locations and the perpetual motion of Spidey vying for the eyes attention and creating the vibe and feel of the situation. VC’s Joe Caramagna’s letters are perfect for the dialogue versus inner monologue style of the book. Recently, I have been saying that letterers and colourists should be on the comic cover; a round of applause for Marvel who are doing exactly that on this book!

Amazing Spider-Man has been a revelation since it’s soft reboot / renumbering. Wells and Romita JR. along with Menyz and Caramagna are pulling out all the stops. With six months missing from our knowledge, I am sure that the level of quality will not diminish in the slightest.

Writing – 5 Stars
Art – 5 Stars
Colors – 5 Stars

Overall – 5 Stars

Written by; Zeb Wells
Art by; John Romita JR.
Inks by; Scott Hanna
Colors by; Marcio Menyz
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