The Amazing Spider-Man #34 (Marvel Comics)

Hello there! Padawan J here, the resident Star Wars expert from the ODPH! This week I'm going to be reviewing the 34th issue of The Amazing Spider-Man from Marvel Comics!

Spider-Man is dealing with A LOT these days. He has a cousin he didn't know about in his life, Damage Control is causing issues, and that’s just the tip of the ice berg. So just what kind of jolt is Electro going to put into his life?

Credit: Marvel Comics // The Amazing Spider-Man #34 by Joe Kelly (Writer), Ed McGuinness (Penciler), Mark Farmer & Wade Von Grawbadger (Inkers), Marcio Menyz (Color Artist), VC’s Joe Caramanga (Letterer), Ed McGuinness & Marcio Menyz (Cover)

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

The Story

I really enjoyed the story Joe Kelly told in the story for this issue because it took things in a direction I didn’t expect, and also was a change of pace from what you might expect from a Spider-Man story. Peter’s story interweaves between his normal life and his superhero one effortlessly while still connecting what’s going on in both aspects of his life.

We’ve seen Peter go through so much in his personal life, that to see him so offput by the recent developments is a very surprising thing. It also appears that it’s starting to affect him on a certain level when it comes to how he is operating as a hero. It’s also affecting how his other relationships outside his family are doing. It really makes for an interesting dynamic since he relies so heavily on his relationships to get through his crises as Peter and Spider-Man.

There’s also a VERY TELLING exchange he has with Robbie as Spider-Man at the end of the issue that really offers a glimpse into how Peter is handling the shocking revelation of his cousin. On the surface it seems like he’s handling it okay despite the shock, but I get the feeling that what comes next for him isn’t going to be good at all.

The Artwork

Ed McGuinness, Mark Farmer & Wade Von Grawbadger are all in charge of the artwork for this issue and it’s as outstanding as you would expect. It retains the familiar look fans will be used to, while packing an incredible punch in the action sequences. You can tell they all put an incredible amount of work into each panel and it really comes through across the pages.

Overall Grade: 8/10

A fantastic issue that really takes an interesting turn. Joe Kelly takes Spider-Man into a whole new territory, that is sure to intrigue readers. Together with artwork that is simply outstanding, this is an issue you don’t want to miss.