Comic Review: Spider-Man: Life Story #4

Spider-Man: Life Story #4

Marvel Comics

Writer: Chip Zdarsky

Artist: Mark Bagley

Spider-Man: Blue. Kraven’s Last Hunt. The Night Gwen Stacy Died. The Death Of Spider-Man. All absolutely incredible must-read Spider-Man stories. And at this point, I’m confident enough to say that Spider-Man: Life Story could be added to that list.

Honestly, I think Spider-Man Life Story is the best thing in Marvel right now. Sure, Silver Surfer Black #1 was incredible, and War Of The Realms is going brilliantly, but they just don’t compare to this. This might be because Spider-Man is, and always will be, my favourite hero, but reading Chip Zdarksy’s tale of Peter Parker aging as he would throughout the decades grabs me as no other comic has.

I was never really into Chip Zdarsky’s Spectacular Spider-Man run, and when he was announced as the writer of this book I was concerned. Did he have what it takes to write a Spider-Man story with as intriguing a story as this? Turns out I really had no need to be concerned. He’s written Spider-Man incredibly throughout the entire series, and that continues here. Spider-Man: Life Story #1 was the 60’s, Spider-Man: Life Story #2 was the 70’s, Spider-Man: Life Story #3 was the 80’s and now, with Spider-Man: Life Story #4, we’re in the 1990s. A tumultuous time in Spider-Man’s history, to be sure. Zdarsky relishes the opportunity to write his own version of (part of) The Clone Saga, and it really shows in his writing how passionate he is about the character. Indeed, in sharp contrast to most Spider-Man writers of the ’90s. Zdarksky actually understands the core morals and dual morality of the character.

Mark Bagley’s art is as great as ever. I’ve been a fan of his ever since I read Ultimate Spider-Man in 2014 and it remains true here. His Peter Parker is incredible, and watching him realistically age through the years is wonderful, it’s something that Bagley feels born to draw. You can visibly see Peter start to become weary, start to slow down, start to realise that maybe he isn’t cut out to be Spider-Man in his age. Bagley’s Doctor Octopus feels very true to life, which I understand is an insane thing to say since he’s a man with four massive robotic arms attached to him, but you’ll understand once you’ve read the issue.

Spider-Man: Life Story might be my favourite comic book currently running. Hell, if it maintains the quality it’s been for the last four issues, it might become one of my favourite comics of all time with ease. An absolutely brilliant tale of age and change that should absolutely be mandatory reading not only to any fan of Spider-Man and Marvel but anybody who is interested in comics at all.