Comic Review : Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man Annual #1

Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man Annual #1

Marvel Comics

Writers: Chip Zdarksy, Mike Drucker (Back-Up story)

Artists: Michael and Laura Allred, Chris Bachallo (Back-Up Story)

Chip Zdarsky’s take on Spider-Man has been an extremely zany, goofy, gag-filled romp (as one would expect from Chip Zdarsky, everyone’s favorite comics person on Twitter). But, every now and then (mostly when it comes to J. Jonah Jameson), he explores something, or changes the status quo, in a way you’d never expect, and then you couldn’t imagine it any other way. I absolutely LOVE the fact J.J. is aware of Peter Parkes dual identity and has come to grips with it, due to his affection for Peter… having to deal with the fact he set out on a crusade to ruin and destroy one of the few people in the world he actually cares for. I love everything about this series so far, but, the J.J./Peter relationship is, in my humble opinion, the best thing about this series. And, thank god, this annual pretty much focuses on it exclusively. Yes, it is really funny and zany but…

The last page made me cry a little bit. (Will be at the bottom of this article if you want to see it and/or don’t mind spoilers.)

The issue jumps back and forth between moments in J.J.’s life (centering around his treatment of competing editor Barney Bushkin) and a day in the life of J.J. At first he’s frantically running around looking for Spider-Man to foil a robbery and bursts into a radio station to call out to Spider-Man, earning himself a job in the process (At one point J.J. yells at a caller “Get off my phone!”, which I feel is a reference to Tom Scharpling of The Best Show podcast, which Chip has appeared on a few times). It’s a quick thing that happens, but man, I can’t wait to see more of J.J. as a talk radio host… I’d read an entire series of only that.

Anyway, a robot starts stalking and tormenting Jameson, and it (hysterically so) refers to its self as a “Jonah-Slayer”. Which of course leads to action, the reveal, and a resolution. It’s a by the numbers one-off story, but it’s done perfectly. And then it leads to that tearjerker of a last page of the story, and damn, it really ties it together.

Then, there is a backup story written by Mike Drucker and art by Chris Bachallo, and it’s fine. The story focuses on a self-loathing sad peter beating himself up about people he has lost. Eh. It’s far from bad, but after Zdarky’s diamond, it kind of leaves you wanting. Bachallo’s art is the best part about it, but it’s still just alright.

I can’t write enough about how Zdarsky has completely nailed Spider-Man’s world. Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man has been one of the better series’s starring Peter Parker that I’ve read in a long time. This issue, with perfect, fitting art by Mike and Laura Allred, really puts the icing on the cake. I know I didn’t talk much about the art, but it’s Mike Allred, he’s god damned fantastic. His surreal cartoony style fits Spider-Man like a webbed glove, and it especially fits the tone Zdarsky has striven to keep with this series. If it weren’t for the backup being just ok. I’d say this is a perfect annual.

Look below for the tear-inducing final page if you want to be moved in a way Zdarsky shouldn’t be able to move you.