The Amazing Spider-Man #23 (Marvel Comics)
Hello there! Padawan J here, the resident Star Wars expert from the ODPH! This week I'm going to be reviewing the 23rd issue of The Amazing Spider-Man from Marvel Comics!
This issue presents to us part two of the nine part crossover series titled Death Spiral! In part 1 we got to see how things were setting up between Spider-Man, Venom & Carnage. We also got introduced to the new villain Torment! Torment has a vendetta against Spider-Man, but just what is it? Let’s jump into it!
Credit: Marvel Comics // The Amazing Spider-Man #23 by Joe Kelly (Writer), Ed McGuinness (Penciler & Cover Art), Mark Farmer & Cliff Rathburn (Ink), Marcio Menyz (Colorist & Cover Art), VC;s Joe Caramanga (Letterer) is an action packed issue that is sure to leave readers shocked!
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
The Story
I had some pretty high expectations for this issue before I started to read it, and boy did it exceed those expectations! The issue works so incredibly well on several fronts for not just the overall story being told but also the series. It really serves well as a jumping on point if you haven’t been keeping up with Amazing Spider-Man lately. Also it really builds the hype for the Death Spiral story that’s just starting to be told.
This might be the best story yet that Joe Kelly has told in his run on Amazing Spider-Man and it’s not even close. He effortlessly blends in what’s happened in issue 1 of the Spider-Man/Venom: Death Spiral issue and what happens here. What I really liked about the issue is seeing Peter try to pick up the pieces of the damage that was done after he left Earth. There’s a lot physical and emotional damage to be repaired, but as is often the case he doesn’t have any time to process everything and deal with one problem at a time.
The issue also flows very nicely from one story point to the next, all the meanwhile building the hype surrounding the inevitable meetup between Spider-Man/Venom/Carnage & Torment. Kelly is helping build an absolutely incredible story that my expectations continue rise with each new part of the story that comes out. Also, the ending does a great job in helping increase that anticipation because HOLY COW what an ending! I was expecting some shocking moments over the course of the story, and even a few surprises. However I was NOT expecting THAT moment, and I was not expecting something like that this soon.
The Artwork
Ed McGuinness, Mark Farmer, Cliff Rathburn & Marcio Menyz all did a fantastic job with the artwork on the issue and they really stepped it up a notch in this issue for sure! It’s a huge story taking place and the artwork rises to the task. It’s some of the most crisp, detailed artwork I’ve seen in a comic that is also just incredibly beautiful to look at. I particularly love how detailed the backgrounds of the panels are. It’s a small detail that I really appreciate, and one that really helps enhance the overall reading experience. Also, kudos to Marcio Menyz on the color work they did in the issue because it was simply beautiful. I particularly loved the colors in the sunset panels that really jump off the page.
FINAL POINT: Joe Kelly & the entire creative team did a phenomenal job with the issue that should be at the top of your reading list this week. The issue is so good and is really cementing the fact that you do NOT want to miss out on a single issue of the Death Spiral story, because you’re sure to miss out on some incredible storytelling and memorable moments.
Overall Grade: 10/10
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!
