The Amazing Spider-Man #20 (Marvel Comics)

Hello there! Padawan J here, the resident Star Wars expert from the ODPH! This week I'm going to be reviewing the 20th issue of The Amazing Spider-Man from Marvel Comics!

Peter Parker is missing! He’s been sent away from Earth & to another part of the galaxy. However that doesn’t mean that the city is without needing to be saved. In Peter’s absence none other than Norman Osborne & Ben Reilly have stepped up to fill in the roles of Spider-Man & Peter respectively. Though what happens when Normans past comes back to haunt him? Let’s jump into it!

Credit: Marvel Comics // The Amazing Spider-Man #20 by Joe Kelly (Writer), John Romita Jr (Pencils), Scott Hanna (Ink), Paco Diaz & Todd Nuack (Pencils & Ink), Marcio Menyz/Erick Arciniega/Marte Garcia (Color Artists), VC’s Joe Caramanga (Letterer), John Romita Jr, Scott Hanna & Dean White (Cover) is a solid issue that delivers on pulse pounding action.

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

The Story

Joe Kelly decides to take an interesting turn with the story in this issue. The pattern the last few issues has been alternating between Peter’s perspective & what’s been taking place on Earth with Norman & Ben Reilly. Peter was featured in the last issue, so of course it was expected to see Earth in this one.

Norman gets the bulk of the proverbial screen time this time around, and it’s a great story. If you’re a fan of knockdown, drag out fights that are so synonymous with Spider-Man comics over the years, this is an issue you’re going to love. The story Joe is telling with Norman is interesting because it feels like they’re trying to make Norman a sympathetic character, despite the fact he’s been around for almost 60 years.

I still maintain the same stance I’ve had for the last year or more, and that is I do not trust him. Call him a wolf in sheep clothing, call it whatever you want. Eventually the switch is going to be flipped and eventually the Green Goblin is going to come cackling back into Peter Parkers life. I don’t think it’ll be anytime in the near future, but mark my words…it’s coming.

Ben Reilly does feature a little bit in the issue, but it doesn’t influence the story in the issue all that much. It will be interesting to see where this goes, because I feel whatever is building in his story is going to co-inside with Peter’s return to Earth.

The Artwork

There are A LOT of incredible folks who worked on the artwork for this issue, and they did an incredible job with said artwork. The action sequences were top notch, and had a classic feel to them. I really liked the way the battle was drawn, because while it had a chaotic feel to it there was still a crisp feel to it.

FINAL POINT: It’s a solid issue that has a great battle, and some intrigue for the future of the storyline. Together with tremendous artwork, this is an issue that delivers on all fronts.

Overall Grade: 8/10

Thank you for taking the time to check out my review. Be sure to reach out to me on Twitter, and let me know what you thought of the issue!