Review: Spider-Man Noir #5

With Spider-Man Noir issue 5 writer Margaret Stohl and artist Juan Ferreyra cement their status as top tier creators. This book is an incredible journey where every scene brings new elements and surprises but still somehow retains the flavor of a classic Spider-Man tale.

Stohl has taken Spider-Man Noir out of his element and gives us the gift of a Spidey story morphed into a caper worthy of Indiana Jones. Every member of the cast is more than who they appear to be and the ultimate treasure is the M“Kraan Crystal itself. This is a multiverse story worth telling, giving us elements both classic and original.

At this point of the story Peter is in deep. His guide turned out to be a Nazi and then turned out to be an ancient all powerful Babylonian who brings back Spider-Man“s classic foes from the land of the dead. Spider-Man and team have the massive task of beating back the undead super-villains, defeating Electro, closing the M“Kraan powered gate to the underworld and stopping Inanna. The action is slowed down just a bit when Inanna starts spouting common phasing, which feel like an anachronism given her ancient origins.

Spider-Man“s other friends have also turned out to be much more than expected, revealing themselves to be a Black Widow agent and member of the Dora Milaje respectively. Spider-Man Noir and his team fight valiantly but it“s only when Spider-Man is drawn back to his home that the final reveal helps everything fall into place. The classic dame who“s death started this journey turns out to be Inanna“s powerful sister ancient and powerful sister Ereshkigal. Ereshkigal reminds Peter of his heroic nature and in turn the key to destroying the M“Kraan Crystal and stopping her sister for good.

The art by Juan Ferreyra is astounding. He presents big screen action and the color work he does throughout this book is the perfect combination of dark Noir mixed in with flashes of light. Stohl gives him so much to do in this issue and he absolutely thrives as the issue swings between undead monstrous villains and the smaller character moments. This is a book that is uniquely well done and hopefully it“s creators gain even more of a following from it.Â

Writing: 4.7 of 5 stars
Art: 4.8 of 5 stars
Colors: 4.8 of 5 stars

Overall: 4.8 of 5 stars

Writer: Margaret Stohl
Art: Juan Ferreyra
Publisher: Marvel Comics

Author Profile

M.R. Jafri

M.R. Jafri was born and raised in Niagara Falls New York and now lives with his family in Detroit Michigan. He's a talkative introvert and argumentative geek. His loves include Star Wars, Star Trek, Superheroes, Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, Transformers, GI Joe, Films, Comics, TV Shows, Action Figures and Twizzlers.