Review: The Amazing Spider-Man #78.Bey

The Amazing Spider-Man 78.Bey is by rising star writer Jed MacKay and artist Eleonora Carlini. Unfortunately this is a horrible representation of their respective skills. This issue feels entirely disposable, the Daughters of the Dragon rely on technology over their traditional skills, and even the Ben Reilly version of Spider-Man is barely featured in a book with his name on it.

This crossover issue is entirely removed from anything resembling a Spider-Man book and worse so is a horrible showcase for the heroes that do appear. Misty Knight and Colleen Wing are major action stars, investigators and independent heroes. So why they are being saddled with the Beyond Corporation as tech experts needs at least some explanation. They clearly don’t seem happy or willing to do corporate bidding.

Ben Reilly starts the book off in a training sequence in a Danger Room setup called Avengers Murder Mansion. Colleen Wing mentions she set it up based on her dating history. Ben is taken down like a chump. Misty Knight then states she never watched horror movies because she was too busy dating in high school. Why every motivation for these characters comes from dating or lack there off is a bit odd.

The Beyond team then sends Colleen and Misty to take down a robot monster Obsidian Star. While going to the battle Colleen mentions Misty is their tech expert, which is odd since Colleen just created the entire danger room setup. The star creates an actual Avengers Murder Mansion.

Colleen and Misty use a bunch of Beyond Corp tech to take down the challenges in a way that completely downplays their actual skill sets. On their way out Misty has to remind Colleen, who is Buddhist, that Buddhists pray. They blow up the mansion, take the Star and then don’t hand it over to Beyond. If they don’t trust Beyond with the tech, it begs the question why they are helping them at all.

The art throughout features fantastic layouts but looks entirely unfinished and rushed. Certain artists benefit from a great inker, and Carlini may be one of them. Overall this book feels like all the worst elements of a crossover, flimsy story-telling, rushed art, poor characterization and no connection to the character who’s name is on the book. These characters deserve better and these creators can do better. Hopefully the main book gives these characters a chance to be more true to themselves.

Writing: 1 of 5 stars
Art: 2 of 5 stars
Colors: 3 of 5 stars

Overall: 2 of 5 stars

Writer: Jed MacKay
Art: Eleonora Carlini
Colors: Federico Blee
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.