Amazing Spider-Man #10
Marvel Comics
Writer: Nick Spencer
Artists: Humberto Ramos & Michele Bandini
Spidey and Black Cat are caught with sticky fingers by the Thieves Guild….but wait, they’re stealing FROM the stealers, so is that rescuing? Yes? No? Well, for one thing, Spider-Man was certainly caught RED HANDED (get it? Because his suit….is red…and….yeah)
Ok, I’ll stick with reviewing and stop with comedy, fine.
The enigmatic and kleptomaniac society known as the Thieves Guild has successfully stolen every piece of tech/gear/equipment/stuff/things/etc from EVERY superhero in New York. The storyline wraps up as Spider-Man and ex-Guild member Black Cat confront the notoriously evil leader Odessa Drake and tell them they REALLY want their toys back.
But believe it or not the story arc of this ‘totally new evil New York crime gang #78654’ is all but a smokescreen to what the real story is here. Well, TWO stories really: The importance and role of women in Peter’s life. And it is utterly fantastic.
We saw last issue that MJ met with another ex of Peter’s Carlie Cooper, who introduced her to an anonymous support group for people with super-powered people in their lives. (side note: a fun game to play is try and figure out who these people are!) We get a really nice monologue from MJ, where she tells the group the ups and downs she and Peter have had, questioning her role in his life, would he be happier with someone with powers. It’s a really powerful moment, Spencer clearly cares so much about these characters and I’m so glad he is slowly removing the horror that is OMD and we’re only 11 issues in!
The next part that stands out fantastically is Spencer fixing Black Cat. Remember when she turned into a crime boss and pure EEEEEEVIL and HATED SPIDER-MAN FOREVER!?! Yeah well, Spencer throws that dumb idea and lets Felicia explain herself, bringing Peter and Felicia closer together with another beautiful moment. It really is starting to feel like Spider-Man again, some good humor and most importantly heart behind it. I can wait to see these two team up again for more banter, hopefully, Spencer has a DD team up planned in the future because I’d love to see his take.
This current arc had the infamous Ramos covering Ottley’s role. The art isn’t completely awful but I’m just really not a big Ramos fan. It keeps giving me war flashbacks to some of the worst issues in Slott’s era. Thankfully it’s broken up with Bandini’s art which is really nice to look at. Her MJ is pretty cute and I hope that Bandini comes back to draw a full issue.
With some brilliant character work, some lovely heartfelt moments and some genuine laugh out loud jokes, Spencer continues to please the avid Spider-fan that I am. (Make sure to include a hyphen, it’s just the teeniest pause between words but it matters). Ottley returns to art next issue and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next, especially after that last page….
Amazing Spider-Man #10
With some brilliant character work, some lovely heartfelt moments and some genuine laugh out loud jokes, Spencer continues to please the avid Spider-fan that I am.
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