As a seasoned gamer of the Marvel universe, I can confidently say that diving into the latest issue of The Amazing Spider-Man #61 was a rollercoaster ride for me. On one hand, the familiar duo of Joe Kelly and Ed McGuinness delivered the classic Spidey charm we all love with their witty banter and dynamic action sequences. But on the other hand, the sudden shift into magical realms left this Web-Head far from his comfort zone.
In issue #61 of The Amazing Spider-Man, Joe Kelly and Ed McGuinness, who have previously collaborated on this series and other projects like the Spider-Man/Deadpool team-up, reunite to introduce an exciting twist: a literal injection of magic into Peter Parker’s life. This event marks the start of the highly anticipated “The 8 Deaths of Spider-Man” storyline. Their collaboration continues to shine as they offer a fresh take on Spider-Man stories, adding a touch of extra quality and a unique twist in the opening chapter.
In the opening of issue #61 for “The Amazing Spider-Man”, Peter Parker finds himself on the receiving end of an unusually bad day due to what’s commonly known as the ‘Parker Curse’. An encounter with a novice villain, Burnout, results in him losing money given by Aunt May, damaging his camera, and missing a mealtime rendezvous with his girlfriend, Shay. Kelly adds witty dialogue as Spider-Man tries to curb the emerging supervillainy of Burnout during their aerial battle, which is beautifully illustrated by McGuinness (and inker Mark Farmer) using his distinctive style of powerful and dynamic poses, smooth action sequences, impressive splash pages, and lively character portrayals.
In this modern Spider-Man comic, things are nearly perfect until Doctor Doom tries to compel Spider-Man to follow “The Covenant.” This leads Spidey into a magical conflict that’s typically beyond his abilities. Initially rejecting Doom’s mysterious summons, an encounter with a descendant of an ancient deity makes him reconsider. Soon after, Spidey is hit with a history lesson about the past and given a magic-infused new outfit, leading him to use enchanted webs against his powerful new adversary in a predestined battle ending with one of eight catastrophic defeats.
In issue #61 of The Amazing Spider-Man, it is repeatedly highlighted that Spider-Man finds himself in over his head, more accustomed to battling street thugs than extradimensional demons or cosmic gods. This idea is reinforced through a change in artistic style when recalling the early actions of Doctor Strange that lay the groundwork for the current story, showcased beautifully across several pages by Nico Henrichon. Whether this portrayal of Spider-Man as a secondary hero within the Marvel universe aligns with his past is up for debate; however, it appears that author Kelly aims to connect Spidey’s lack of prominence in the hero realm to Peter Parker’s struggles in maintaining his personal life. As both Peter and Spider-Man strive for growth, discovering how to elevate as Spider-Man might offer Peter some guidance on managing his chaotic existence without the mask.
[RELATED: 8 Deaths of Spider-Man: Where to Start Reading the New Era of The Amazing Spider-Man
The concept is intriguing, but the way the story unfolds feels awkward and unrefined. In Spider-Man’s latest adventure, he acquires another new suit. However, the constant introduction of new suits for Spidey dilutes the emotional impact of each reveal, and this one doesn’t even compare to his previous suits in terms of style. To make matters worse, this suit, or whatever enchantment Doom used to materialize it, seems to have bestowed upon Peter all the magical abilities he needs, without any accompanying responsibility. This goes against Spidey’s entire ethos, as he typically earns his powers through hard work and responsibility. Worse still, it appears as if this magical knowledge was simply downloaded into him, bypassing any traditional learning or growth process, much like a shortcut in place of a training montage.
Kelly and McGuinness skillfully weave a tale reminiscent of the classic Amazing Spider-Man, as evidenced by the first half of this issue. They’re venturing into new territories, which is admirable, but giving Spider-Man magical abilities feels more like a gimmick than a substantial narrative move. As the story unfolds further, it may develop more depth. For now, readers can appreciate the excellent artwork and witty dialogue.
Published By: Marvel Comics
On: November 13th, 2024
Written By: Joe Kelly
Art By: Ed McGuinness, Mark Farmer, Nico Henrichon
Colors By: Marcio Menyz
Letters By: Joe Caramagna
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2024-11-13 18:09