Review: The Amazing Spider-Man #75

The Amazing Spider-Man #75 (Legacy 876) is an incredibly interesting beginning of a new saga for Spidey. This issue sets up a 19 part weekly saga with much of the focus around Ben Reilly. Seeing Ben back in his kind, humble ways is a welcome relief after the anti-hero horror of his last book. Zeb Wells has the humor, range and story-telling chops to be the perfect Spidey writer and he’s a great choice to kick off this saga brought to us by a ‘Beyond Board’ brain-trust of talent.

Much in the vein of the Superman triangle books from the 90s, this book will have a different creative team for each issue but will continue to form a larger whole. Much in the way the creators inspired each other with 52, the hope is that these creators working together will create something truly amazing.

This issue is a fantastic start, and a large part of that is die to the iconic art by Patrick Gleason. Gleason is an artist who has always deserved a much bigger spotlight, from his days on Green Lantern Corp to the Superman books he has such a distinctive style that truly adds to the story. The strong perspectives, sharp angles and moody panels tell the story with added depth and pathos.

That is perfect for this book as we delve into the foreboding gloom of Peter Parker’s world following the death of Harry Osborn. Although it’s not the first time he’s been lost, Peter is understandably upset and this spills over into his personal and academic worlds with equal destructiveness. He begins with a haunting nightmare of Uncle Ben and swings out of his place to escape mourning with Randy only to swing right into another Spider-Man. This hero’s duds are much like the classic Ben Reilly spidey-suit and he makes quick work of Peter, crashing past his attempts to make contact.

Ben quickly visits Peter in civilian attire and reveals that he’s going to be the new Spider-Man as a corporation named Beyond has hired him to be their hero after they bought up the rights trademarked when Doc Ock was Spider-Man. Ben swings back home to meet up with his love Janine before a Beyond agent pulls him away to add radiation shielding to his suit.

Peter meets up with MJ before racing off to face the U-Foes alongside Ben. The battle is rendered beautifully by Gleason and color artist Marcio Menyz. Everything comes crashing to a halt as a massive radiation blast comes from the sky and knocks Peter into a coma.

The issue is done perfectly from start to finish. There are two added stories taking place two weeks ago which are completely anti-climatic and unneeded but of course Marvel needs to increase the page count to justify the price. Overall this is looking to be a worthwhile ride, and the fact that we know it’s only 19 issues long means we can hopefully enjoy it for the quality collaboration it is rather than worrying that every twist is a permanent one.

Writing: 4.5 of 5 stars
Art: 4.7 of 5 stars
Colors: 4.5 of 5 stars

Overall: 4.6 of 5 stars

Writer: Zeb Wells
Artist: Patrick Gleason
Colors: Marcio Menyz
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.