Review: Amazing Spider-Man #31 (Lgy #925)
After the near calamitous and nonsensical events of Amazing Spider-Man #26, i dropped this book from my pull list like a hot potato. Of course, being the professional I am, and co host of the No Prize Podcast, I have had to keep an eye on this book. God knows what I have done to deserve that torture! Still this issue promises the return of John Romita JR. and Tombstone, so things have to get better, right? Right?
You are all cordially invited to the wedding of Janice Lincoln and Randy Robertson, criminal and square. Of course even with the Bosses of New York invited, there is always a wedding crasher to be mindful of. But prior to that, its girls night!
The main story told in a prelude and two chapters is written by Zeb Wells, who has been with Spidey since before the restart. With the distraction of Doc Ock out of the way, I had hoped we were getting back to normal service, especially as the Tombstone start to this run was so good. Instead we get threats, a party and wedding which kinds of turns into a debacle. Whilst some would say that this is pure Spider-Man, given that there is al a break-up of sorts in here, I can see why would think that. Wells delivers the dialogue well enough, though I could have done without the May in danger elements again. Maybe I just expect more. maybe thats on me and not on Wells and the editorial team!
The art is a two-fold type of affair with John Romita JR taking the prelude and the second chapter. The frameworks of the characters are ok, though lack some details given the book a rushed look for sure. With little details we are left to enjoy the action scenes which demonstrate some of the usual spider-quirkiness yet feels somewhat of the page not in it. This is surprising as Scott Hanna is on hand to add his touches and nuances. Chapter one features the art and inks of Emilio Laiso and Zé Carlos. My wife, when looking at the book over my shoulder commented, “why do all the women look like men?” In fact the middle sections is a glossy affair that seeks to add “fun” to proceedings. In fact, its not until Felicia Hardy turns up that the fun really begins in earnest. We get some Parker moping about and to be honest, I am surprised Marvel went with a giant issue for this instead of dragging the fun out for a couple of issues! Marcio Menyz and Bryan Valenza provide the colors for the books which can be as disjointed as the variosu art styles. For example Felicia waiting for Peter looks more like Aunt May! Thankfully letterer VC’s Joe Caramagna adds an air of consistency to the book.
So what else do you get for your hard earned dollars? Well, this book acts as a catalogue for a whole range of Spider related books., which includes the set-up for the already advertised return of the Superior Spider-Man with some un-Bagely Bagely art; a deep character piece spoilt by the introduction of MJ as a superheroine; Spidey and Kamala hanging out destroying any real angst generated by her death whilst making a mockery of Fallen Friend, and a Spider-Woman asking a question that I have been asking for a while now, “where is her baby?” How you feel about these additions will depend on how much you like your spider-verse. I am of course going to pick up the Spider-Woman mini-series, all the while rueing Marvels decision to cancel her book in the first place.
So there you have it; a book that like most of this run from issue 6 or so on. has promised so much and somehow failed to deliver anything of any real import.
Writing – 3 Stars
Art – 3 Stars
Colors -3 Stars
Overall – 3 Stars
Written by Zeb Wells and various
Art by; John Romita JR, Emilio Laiso, Zé Carlos and various
Inks by; Scott Hanna, Emilio Laiso with Zé Carlos
Letters by; VC’s Joe Caramagna
Published by; Marvel Worldwide Inc
Author Profile
- I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow
Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network
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