Comic Review: Amazing Spider-Man #15 (2019)

Amazing Spider-Man (2019-) #15

Marvel Comics

Writer: Nick Spencer

Artist: Chris Bachalo

I’m really enjoying Nick Spencer as a writer on Spider-Man. I’ve enjoyed some of his previous works but he’s also irritated me on other things he’s worked on (mainly his tendency to never follow a production schedule and leave us hanging for ages with his indie stuff, but Nick it’s cool, just don’t mess up Spidey) but finally I’m after figuring out why exactly I’ve been liking this run so far. He’s writing small, condensed, character-focused stories and whatever ‘big stuff’ he’s been building towards, it’s been in the background and feels natural.

So essentially he’s fixing Slott’s run.

That being said this issue felt very tame and calm compared to some of his other issues. Now I have seen complaints that it’s been ‘boring’ past the first arc, but honestly, in 15 issues he’s managed to fix up more from a 10-year run, which is pretty damn impressive I must say. Spider-Man stories are never meant to be “EARTH SHATTERING, NEVER BEFORE SCENE, UNIVERSE CHANGING”, it’s always boiled down to a nerdy hero and his responsibility of saving people, especially the ones he loves most. And in this issue, we see more of what makes Peter great.

I may draw a bit of heat on this but I’m really not a huge Bachalo fan. I’m sorry, his art never really clicked with me whenever I read a Spider-Man story. The art never disgusts me from the story or anything, he’s just not an artist that works for me. Credit where credit due I do love the way he draws the Lizard. Truly terrifying and weird. If you’re a fan of Bachalo’s art (and I know there is many there) then be sure to check this issue out!

Again like I said, Spencer seems to be character focused and doing small scale adventures and it’s been enjoyable so far. I’m enjoying seeing Peter back to his roots and not some globe trotting adventurer. I’m looking forward to where certain characters paths are going (and how some of these plot points tie into Tom Taylor’s Friendly Neighbourhood comic, check that out too by the way, and vice versa) and what Spencer has been slowly building up with certain specific anthropomorphic related villains is looking to be exciting. Be sure to check this issue out, it’s a calm issue but overall fun.