The Amazing Spider-Man #29 (Marvel Comics)

Hello there! Padawan J here, the resident Star Wars expert from the ODPH! This week I'm going to be reviewing the 29th issue of The Amazing Spider-Man from Marvel Comics!

Spider-Man has been having a rough life lately, but when isn’t he? Now that things have quieted down, he’s going on an apology tour to make amends. But what happens when one person is a little too eager to meet up with him? Let’s jump into it!

Credit: Marvel Comics // The Amazing Spider-Man #28 by Joe Kelly (Writer), Pete Woods (Guest Artist), VC’s Joe Caramanga (Letterer), Mark Bagley & Marte Garcia (Cover Art)

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

The Story

Joe Kelly has started the next chapter of his Spider-Man run and it’s a solid start. After coming off the last couple of stories with Earth shattering consequences, and multiple people being in the cross-hair of a serial killer this one is off to a different start but it’s one that works. If he’s constantly under threat from threats like Hellgate than readers would get bored and even a little used to things.

I really like the way the story builds up and lays the groundwork for what’s coming, while also teasing some interesting twists to the mythos of Spider-Man. As I alluded to, it starts with Peter attempting to go on an apology tour with some of the folks affected by his absence at the hands of Ben Reilly. It goes the way you would expect it to, before things turn to a training session with a close friend who has some wise words of wisdom for our favorite wall crawler. I’m interested to see where this training session goes, because while I don’t expect it lead to more interactions with them but I did find what was said between the two at the end of their training very interesting.

Then we get introduced to the newest villain in Peter’s rogues gallery, and this one in particular has an axe to grind against Peter. Remember back when Peter was off world, and Ben Reilly was filling in for him at Rand Enterprises? Remember when there was an accident back in issue #19 at Rand Enterprises? Well it’s time to find out just what happened to the person at the center of that accident, and it’s time to say hello to Spore! Yes, that’s right Spider-Man’s newest victim is a case of a lab accident gone wrong and Peter was the cause of it! Okay, not really but that’s not how Spore sees it. Is it an old fashioned trope that’s been done before? Sure, you can look at it that way. However I look at it as a tried and true method that works and is highly effective when done right.

It’s going to be very interesting to see how Joe Kelly develops Spore, because from the outset I like the presentation and introduction. It’s got an old fashioned feel to it like I said, but it’s one that still leaves you with a shocked feeling of “oh I forgot about that” when you’re reading it. Spore’s powers also are very interesting to and it’s going to be interesting to see if they’re just developing and how far they can reach. As far as introductions good, it’s a really solid one and has me eager to read issue 30.

The Artwork

Pete Woods is the guest artist for this issue and I was really impressed with their work. Pete brought their own style to the issue but also managed to capture the look and feel fans will be used to at this point. I also really liked the way Pete drew Spore, particularly at the end of the issue because holy cow that is a crazy final panel to see. The ending isn’t so much a cliffhanger but more so a “oh my god what am I looking at!” It’s probably the best design I’ve seen for a new character in the last couple of years. It’s a different look from what you’d expect for a Spider-Man villain, and it stands out for sure. It’ll be interesting to see how the look and design develops and expands over time.

Overall Grade: 9/10

Joe Kelly gets the next story arc started with a roaring start. It’s a great jumping on point for new/lapsed readers and introduces readers to the news bad in the Spider-Man story. Together with artwork that is equal parts spectacular and mind blowing, this is an issue you don’t want to miss.