Radioactive Spider-Man #1 Is Everything “The Age of Revelation” Should Be (Review)

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“The Age of Revelation” is Marvel’s latest attempt to make readers fall in love with the X-Men again, since the Krakoa Era started to show the cracks in its facade years ago. “The Age of Revelation” takes readers ten years into the future, to a world ravaged by the X-Virus, with mutants under the control of Revelation, the former Doug Ramsey. Marvel has pulled more than just the X-Men into the story, and Radioactive Spider-Man #1 takes readers to New York City to show readers how Spider-Man has been doing. This issue is an entertaining Spider-Man romp, and one of the better chapters of “The Age of Revelation” so far.

There was some buzz around “The Age of Revelation,” but most people didn’t have high expectations for Radioactive Spider-Man. It felt like a quick tie-in to the larger X-Men storyline, and didn’t really focus on the main plot. However, the book is written by Joe Kelly, who’s been delivering excellent Amazing Spider-Man stories lately, so it shouldn’t have been a surprise that this was good. Kelly places us in a New York City after the X-Virus, showing that even with all the changes, it’s still the New York we know and love; New Yorkers remain true to form. This familiar touch makes the book feel comfortable and inviting.

This Spider-Man comic starts strong with an exciting action sequence, immediately grabbing your attention. The story then smoothly fills you in on recent events without feeling like a forced explanation. Writer Kelly cleverly includes Dr. Cecelia Reyes – a character familiar to fans of his older X-Men work – in a way that feels both surprising and logical. The issue ends with a compelling cliffhanger, leaving you eager to find out what happens next. Overall, it’s a really enjoyable tie-in comic and a welcome surprise.

Rating: 4.0 out of 5

Pros Cons
Has that perfect Spider-Man feel The villains feel generic
Exciting, well-paced storytelling that keeps readers hooked
A great cliffhanger ending that demands you buy the next issue

Kev Walker’s Art Fits the Story Like a Glove

Kev Walker’s artwork is a perfect fit for Radioactive Spider-Man #1. While his cartoonish style might seem unexpected for the darker tone of “The Age of Revelation,” it actually works brilliantly. Given that Kelly excels at writing humorous superhero stories, Walker’s style complements the witty dialogue perfectly. Walker’s expressive character work enhances the humor, and the action sequences are fluid and dynamic. I especially love how he depicts Spider-Man’s webbing – it’s delightfully messy and really catches the eye.

The visual design of Spider-Man is both striking and unsettling, immediately signaling that this isn’t a typical Spider-Man story. This creepy atmosphere is consistent throughout the comic, and I really appreciate the overall tone. The artist’s depiction of Reyes is excellent, and her costume is a clever blend of new design and her classic X-Men look. My main criticism, both of the artwork and the issue as a whole, is that the villains are fairly bland. They function well enough in the action sequences, but they lack any memorable qualities and won’t stick with you after you finish reading.

The comics connecting to “The Age of Revelation” haven’t been particularly strong. This story feels like a copy of “Age of Apocalypse” but doesn’t quite reach the same quality. However, Radioactive Spider-Man #1 is a standout – it captures what makes Spider-Man great and places him in a fresh, unexpected setting. Having Kelly, the regular Spider-Man writer, work on this was a smart move, and he and Walker have created a surprisingly enjoyable comic.

Radioactive Spider-Man #1 is on sale now.

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2025-10-22 14:11