Review: Spider-Verse #4 (of 6)

Spider-Verse #4 is a important issue in that it introduces a new writer to Marvel Comics. Taran Killam is an amazing comic actor and spent many years on Saturday Night Live in addition to his film work. He is also a clear fan of comics since Claremont and Lee’s X-Men #1, and like other SNL stars before him, tries his hand at writing Marvel comics through the Spider-Man Universe. His previous comic work was an independent comic The Illegitimates back in 2014.

The overarching story is a Multiverse setup very familiar to Spider-Fans. Miles Morales is jumping from one world to the next in a mission to find the one universe that is the key to repairing the multiverse web. This journey allows readers to see a multitude of worlds done by different creators. This issue focuses on Web-Slinger who is the Spider-Man of the old west.

The issue starts off with Web-Slinger using his two guns to stop a train robbery. Craven Cowpie is a nice stand-in for Kraven the Hunter and his gang are up to no good and Web-Slinger aims to do a little good by stopping him. The entire issue is filled with classic dialogue tropes like ‘Dagnabbit’. In the context of the overall issue this dialogue could feel cheesy, but instead it’s entirely enjoyable in a madcap way. Web-Slinger introduces Craven to his two pistols: Kisser who shoots wet sticky and Biter who scars. Having a pistol that shoots webs is something fiction needs a whole lot more of.

After an explosive end to the opening sequence Web-Slinger flashes back to show us that his sense of responsibility came from the loss of his brother Ben during the Civil War. Web-Slinger then introduces Miles to his Horse, Widow, who got bit by the same bug as Web-Slinger. Widow and Web-Slinger share a psychic ‘Rider-Sense’ connection. More importantly Widow wears a mask so that he can’t be recognized, which is perfect. The world definitely needs more horses with masks and Widow should be an inspiration for Horse Cosplay come Comic Con time.

The plot then takes us to a classic western path. A Mexican maiden in distress finds our heroes and tells them that her town needs rescuing from El Escorpion. This leads to a grand faceoff against a lucha version of The Scorpion which ends perfectly with Widow saving the day. The art throughout the comic matches up well with the tone of a classic western. The train sequence, village sequence, campfire and of course the horse are rendered beautifully. The design of Web-Slinger’s costume leave alot to be desired. He’s looks fine with his hat and coat on, but once those are washed away the character loses all of his iconic nature and looks like a guy with a silly mask on. But beyond this complaint the visuals are well done and the action sequences are clear, easy to track and rendered beautifully.

Killam’s writing is strong, funny and thoughtful. Killam’s style of comic humor here clearly borrows heavily from Looney Tunes, and that style of humor suits the Spider-Man multiverse quite well. At some points you can almost close your eyes and hear Maurice LaMarche’s Yosemite Sam, or Bob Bergen’s Speedy Gonzalez. Killam demonstrates a clear talent for dialogue making this feel like a true, cohesive Spider-Man comic rather than a celebrity stunt. Taran will be writing more Spider-Man comics coming up very soon as part of the Empyre crossover. Hopefully this is the beginning of a long-term relationship between him and the Marvel Universe. He’s a talent that goes beyond his celebrity and demonstrates a clear talent for comic writing.

Writing: 4 stars of 5
Artwork 4 stars of 5
Colors: 4 stars of 5

Overall: 4 stars of 5

Writer: Taran Killam
Artist: Juan Gedeon
Colors: Brian Reber
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.