The Amazing Spider-Man 2026 Annual #1 Is an Entertaining Standard Spider-Man Comic (Review)

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While sales of The Amazing Spider-Man have dipped, the comic itself has significantly improved under writer Joe Kelly. Many long-standing criticisms of the series have been addressed, and fans are now speaking positively about TASM for the first time in a while. The Amazing Spider-Man 2026 Annual #1 features a short story by Kelly and is worth checking out. The main story, penned by Wolverine writer Saladin Ahmed with art by Federico Vicentini, introduces the new hero Rapid. It’s a solid, enjoyable Spider-Man story that delivers everything you’d expect without being particularly groundbreaking.

Ahmed’s previous work on Wolverine hasn’t been particularly strong, which might make some readers hesitant about this comic. He had a standout hit almost ten years ago, but his more recent superhero stories have been fairly simple. This annual falls into that pattern – most annuals these days offer a self-contained, lighthearted story that doesn’t heavily focus on character development or the main plot. However, I believe Ahmed was a good choice for this particular issue. It delivers exactly what you’d expect from a Spider-Man comic – it’s fun and doesn’t push the writer beyond his strengths.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Pros Cons
Rapid is a cool, down to Earth character There’s nothing really special about the plot
The art is fluid and detailed The art can get a little busy at times, and there’s some sketchy images
Fun one and done story The back-up story is fine, but if you aren’t up on TASM, you won’t care about it very much

The Amazing Spider-Man 2026 Annual #1 is An ’80s Call-Back

This Spider-Man and Rapid team-up is a lot of fun, and the battle with Screwball is genuinely exciting. The story moves at a good pace, and I particularly appreciated the unexpected twist – a message everyone could use. It really captures the feel of a classic, self-contained Spider-Man issue from the 80s: a complete story that delivers satisfying entertainment and neatly wraps up everything.

It’s 2026, and some comic readers expect a bit more for five dollars – it’s debatable whether this issue delivers that. However, if you’re a Spider-Man fan, you’ll probably enjoy it. You don’t need to follow The Amazing Spider-Man to appreciate this, though knowledge of that series enhances the short back-up story, which mostly serves as promotion for the main title. Overall, this is a solid choice for any Spider-Man enthusiast.

Federico Vicentini’s Art Is Mostly Great, with a Few Little Drawbacks

Federico Vicentini’s career has really taken off since his work on X Deaths of Wolverine in 2022, and he’s since showcased his talent on titles like Miles Morales: Spider-Man and Imperial. His art, which is heavily influenced by manga, was a great fit for Miles Morales, so it’s exciting to see him now drawing Peter Parker as Spider-Man. His style is dynamic and full of movement, making it ideal for this particular story. The book features a lot of exciting action, and Vicentini’s artwork really brings those scenes to life. He also excels at portraying characters’ emotions, which adds depth and impact to the story.

The artwork is generally excellent, though it has a few issues. While Vicentini clearly aims for rich detail, some panels become overcrowded, making it hard to immediately see what they’re about. It’s a minor point, but I sometimes had to pause and search for the main focus, particularly in larger images. There are also a few rough-looking drawings scattered throughout the book. They don’t appear often, but they’re noticeable when you see them. The artwork in the bonus section, by Roi Mercado, isn’t as strong as Vicentini’s; it’s decent, but the lack of detail is more apparent after seeing Vicentini’s intricate work.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2026 Annual #1 delivers a classic, self-contained Spider-Man story, a format the writer clearly excels at – much like issue #13 of their Wolverine run. It’s exactly what fans expect from a Spider-Man comic and effectively introduces the character of Rapid. The artwork by Vicentini is generally strong and flows well, with only minor flaws. The backup story by Kelly and Mercado serves as a preview of upcoming storylines, though it likely won’t be enough to draw new readers into the main Amazing Spider-Man title. Overall, this is a solid, standard Spider-Man comic that fans of the character will enjoy.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2026 Annual #1 is on sale now.

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2026-01-28 17:40