REVIEW: Non-Stop Spider-Man No.4

Wow. I have to say usually I avoid Spider-Man titles like the plague, and when I do tend to pick them up I expect Spidey to be only aimed at a demographic of children that haven’t even hit their teens. But, this “Non-Stop Spider-Man” issue really clicked. I think it has something to do with the color. Initially I was reading this title as only black and white, but when I got my review copy, it arrived in full color. So I have to give credit to the colorists Menyz & Arcieniega for bringing to life the Spider-Sense, turning one of Spidey’s greatest attributes into an actual character instead of just a plot device. That’s something that I’ve never seen anybody on any previous Spider- Title (and trust me there’s been many because Marvel likes to milk their cash cows into oblivion) do prior to this run.

The story is still continuing, which is expected for a title like “Non-Stop”, where Spidey is on the case trying to figure out who’s been poisoning the party drugs that have been distributed to the classmates occupying his college campus (I just absolutely hate when they age down Spider-Man for a title I really wish that his age would stay consistent from title to title, but I digress). Thankfully the detective work is over and here in this fourth issue readers are treated to a boss showdown between Spidey and one of Captain America’s Rogues in Hydra leader Baron Zemo. Course Zemo isn’t alone, and he has an interesting henchman in tow that provides great dialogue as opposed to the average hench-person. And in many instances, is able to put the titular hero in his place – not only physically, but mentally as well; which is not easy to do in the Marvel Universe, as Spider-Man is one of the top intellects living on Earth 616.

In some of the instances it’s tough to hear Kelly’s voice through Zemo’s thick accent, but Kelly’s ability to keep up with current slang-uage allows for some absolutely hilarious moments like Zemo applauding his henchman for his straight-edge lifestyle, notably because Zemo himself admitted to accepting poison drinks so many times. Yes Dr. Strange makes a few sporadic appearances here, but the core three characters I just mentioned truly carried this book to a level I hadn’t suspected from reading the previous several issues.

Even “Non-Stop” appears that it will deviate from entertaining to preachy, such as in the closing moments when Spidey starts talking like a “white knight” – Zemo pops in and levels out that rhetoric. Even though admitting himself as a bigot, oddly Kelly is able to make Zemo the voice of reason : as he explains to Spider-Man that even though he is operating off of hate, his actions are more calculated than Spidey who is running off of aggression & emotion. Which may be in the right place, but battles should be won with the head, not the heart. And wow, Spidey really shows some heart in this issue. Tearing through airplanes, pushing his limits. And again, Parker was a CEO and he has some clever moments here like showing that he has stashes of webbing all over the city – a thing I have overlooked for years since organic webbing became a thing when Tobey Maguire was killing the big screen.

The way that the panels are tilted look like a retro porno, which at first is disorienting, but after awhile, the diagonal design attached to the comedy and action here puts this issue of “Non-Stop” up like toothpaste on a prison wall. Especially in the class of passion projects, “Non-Stop” is setting the bar, a little late in the series, but I guess comic readers everywhere will be able to chalk it up that ol’ “Parker Luck”.

Score: 5/5

(W) Joe Kelly (A) Chris Bachalo (CA) David Finch