Hello there! Padawan J here, the resident Star Wars expert from the ODPH! This week I'm going to be reviewing the 1002nd issue of The Amazing Spider-Man from Marvel Comics!
Peter Parker has faced some had some incredible foes, and gone to some extreme lengths to save those he loves. But what happens when he’s pushed too far? Let’s jump into it!
Credit: Marvel Comics
The Amazing Spider-Man #1002 by Joe Kelly (Writer), Pepe Larraz (Artist & Cover), Federico Blee (Color Artist), VC’s Joe Caramanga (Letterer), Marte Garcia (Cover)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
The Story
Joe Kelly’s work on Spider-Man is some of the best stories that have been seen this century for the character. Just when you think the stakes cannot get any higher, they do. He continues to put Peter into positions that readers haven’t seen him in for quite some time (if we ever have) and to read those scenarios is simply stunning.
The story in this issue is visceral, and it does not pull any punches from start to finish. It continues from the last issue with Peter facing Ravage (aka his new cousin Cormac) as they fight for the future of May Parker. Cormac has altered May’s memory and removed Peter from it. It’s some incredible storytelling and one that goes to some incredible depths.
Joe really pens a fantastic story where we get to see Spider-Man in a light we haven’t seen in quite some time. It’s painted as a power he’s been unconsciously suppressing the whole time. It makes for an interesting twist and I’m interested to see how they bring it into pay in the future. Is it really a “power” after all? Or is it perhaps just a line Peter’s not been willing to cross this until now?
The ending of the fight is as surprising as the whole story has been up until this point. It doesn’t end with a crescendo or a powerful explosion. Rather it ends with the metaphorical music fading off into the empty silence. I won’t spoil how it ends, but I was incredibly interested to see it play out. It’s a game of cat & mouse, or perhaps a game of chicken would be more appropriate. Two power forces on a head on collision towards each other, with neither side moving or giving an inch. They’re inevitably going to collide but the only question is who will blink first?
The Artwork
Pepe Larraz & Federico Blee are in charge of the artwork for this issue and they both did a fantastic job with it. The issue is chaotic in that there’s a lot going on, and Peter is getting hit with a lot. He’s going through a lot physically, mentally & emotionally and the art does a great job conveying that in the panels. There’s a sense of chaos, there’s a sense of deep unease and the artwork does an incredible job at conveying that.
Overall Grade: 9/10
A fantastic issue that continues to push the story in a direction we haven’t seen in a long time, if ever. Joe Kelly pens one of the best Spider-Man stories you’ll read, and together with artwork that continues to impress. This is an issue that you cannot afford to miss out on.
