For the past few years, The Amazing Spider-Man has faced a bumpy journey. The run by Zeb Wells on the comic book didn’t go as planned, leading Marvel to reintroduce a fresh start with another issue #1 of The Amazing Spider-Man. Original writer Joe Kelly will continue his work on the series, along with part-time artist John Romita Jr. However, this new edition will also feature renowned artist Pepe Larraz. Despite some fans’ reservations due to the comic’s recent turbulence, Marvel assures us that this marks a brand-new era for Spider-Man. Interestingly, The Amazing Spider-Man #1 offers a reasonably enjoyable ride with Spider-Man, hinting at the promised fresh start.
By now, readers diving into The Amazing Spider-Man #1 are already familiar with the challenges from the previous volume, keeping a watchful eye for them in this new issue. To alleviate any concerns, there’s no appearance of Mary Jane or Paul in this book, which means Marvel and Nick Lowe have chosen to move away from the relationship that many found tiresome. For one reader at least, this is already a positive change. From the get-go, this Spider-Man adventure promises to be a blast. It starts with Peter attending multiple job interviews, each serving as a witty commentary on the dual struggles of being both Peter Parker and Spider-Man. This is classic Spider-Man storytelling, something that Kelly excels at, making it an ideal start for the book. Instead of setting up a mystery box, we’re treated to fun, engaging storytelling right from the beginning.
In every part of The Amazing Spider-Man #1, a lively atmosphere persists. This comic book is divided into three segments: the initial storyline sets up the conflict for the first story arc, the second focuses on Norman Osborn, and the last hints at the new antagonist, Hellgate. However, what ties the entire comic together is a sense of exhilaration that Marvel aims to portray in the revamped Peter Parker. In this initial tale, we experience Peter’s date with his new love interest, a visit to Aunt May, an encounter with an old school friend, an engaging battle, and some ominous foreshadowing. This rendition of Spider-Man carries a classic touch, and if you appreciate that style, you’ll certainly enjoy this comic. Admittedly, I’m not particularly fond of the younger version of Spider-Man, but surprisingly, I found myself appreciating this aspect of the book. Kelly has an exceptional knack for crafting compelling Spider-Man stories, and despite my preference for Ultimate Spider-Man, I found myself drawn to this comic again and again.
In this comic, Kelly creates a captivating enigma: what’s causing Rhino to behave unusually? This intrigue leads readers to Kingsley Tower and Rhino’s apartment. Longtime Spider-Man fans will recall the name Kingsley, and they’ll be thrilled to see Hobgoblin resurface with a fresh strategy. Hobgoblin is a character that can be hard to accept, but Marvel has struggled with him in the past. This issue, however, significantly improves his portrayal. Having Hobgoblin as the main villain could be exciting, and it’s enough to keep an older Spider-fan like me engaged. In essence, the writing in this comic is a delightful throwback to classic Spider-Man stories, which is definitely a positive aspect.
Pepe Larraz’s artwork in this book exceeds expectations. Many thought Larraz would excel, but his art surpasses even my high anticipations. This work showcases prime Larraz from the start. His characters skillfully deliver humor in the opening interviews, and the battle with Rhino is a stunning display of superhero comic action. The Rhino, a colossal monster, is particularly impressive, and the double-page fight scene is visually captivating. The issue’s Hobgoblin hints are appropriately ominous, and the final double-page spread featuring Spider-Man surrounded by adversaries leaves readers eager for more. Larraz, renowned as a generation’s X-Men artist, might be adding Spider-Man to that list based on this issue’s art. Working with longtime partner Marte Gracia on colors, they continue to produce some of the best artwork in the industry. Gracia’s colors stand out, enhancing the visual impact in a way few other colorists can match. John Romita Jr. concludes the book with the last two stories, and his art remains consistent with his recent work on The Amazing Spider-Man. It retains all the qualities of Romita Jr.’s art – excellent linework, dynamic action, and the distinctive style that only John Romita Jr. can offer – but if you’ve been less than fond of his recent work, this won’t change your opinion.
Kelly, Larraz, and Romita Jr. have a challenging task at hand as they work on “The Amazing Spider-Man” comic series currently. Despite being the most loathed yet top-selling comic, many fans are hesitant due to editor Nick Lowe’s known disfavor towards the book’s followers and the previous run by Wells. However, this is a book that should not be overlooked – especially if you were once a fan who stopped reading “TASM” post “One More Day”. This new run has won me back over.
Joe Kelly is often underestimated in the comic writing world, but his work here showcases why he’s so exceptional. The storyline is engaging, packed with action, features a compelling hook, and maintains a humorous tone – everything one could hope for from a Spider-Man comic.
Pepe Larraz’s artwork is breathtakingly beautiful, offering no other appropriate description. In many ways, the Spider-Man portrayed by Kelly and Larraz feels like the epitome of the character itself. While it may not resonate with Mary Jane fans, for those seeking a quality Spider-Man comic, this is the perfect choice.
I went into this book expecting to dislike it, but I was consistently impressed with each page that turned.
Rating: 3.9 out of 5
Published by Marvel
On April 9, 2025
Written by Joe Kelly
Art by Pepe Larraz and John Romita Jr.
Inks by Scott Hanna
Color Art by Marte Gracia and Marcio Menyz
Letters by Joe Caramagna
Read More
- OM/USD
- Carmen Baldwin: My Parents? Just Folks in Z and Y
- Jellyrolls Exits Disney’s Boardwalk: Another Icon Bites the Dust?
- Solo Leveling Season 3: What You NEED to Know!
- Solo Leveling Season 3: What Fans Are Really Speculating!
- Despite Strong Criticism, Days Gone PS5 Is Climbing Up the PS Store Pre-Order Charts
- Jelly Roll’s 120-Lb. Weight Loss Leads to Unexpected Body Changes
- The Perfect Couple season 2 is in the works at Netflix – but the cast will be different
- Netflix’s Dungeons & Dragons Series: A Journey into the Forgotten Realms!
- Disney’s ‘Snow White’ Bombs at Box Office, Worse Than Expected
2025-04-09 15:10