The Amazing Spider-Man #2 Review
Writer: Nick Spencer
Penciler: Ryan Ottley
Inker: Cliff Rathburn
Colorist: Laura Martin
Publisher: Marvel Comics
I hate to sound like a broken record, so this should be the last time I say this about a book, unless I end up reviewing an issue of the Immortal Hulk: I wasn’t around to tell you my thoughts on the Amazing Spider-Man last time, blah blah blah, but I absolutely loved it. Really though, I just about cried. Nick Spencer knows exactly what Spider-Man needs and what his fans have wanted for so long. Thank God this is biweekly. No spoilers here.
Last issue showed us that Nick Spencer is going to respect what Dan Slott has set up before him, and I’m sure he still will. But wasn’t the Dr. Conners still trapped as the Lizard last time we saw him? All in due time, I hope. Even then, it’s not a huge deal. What’s actually important is that the success of last issue wasn’t just a one-time thing. This one has all the same stuff going for it. MJ, villains that Spencer writes in a really fun way, Peter walking the line between his life and Spider-Man’s in new and interesting ways – it’s all here. Seeds are planted to possibly move Peter away from the Daily Bugle for good (for now) and into a career that readers have felt fit him well for a long time. I can really appreciate that Spencer is giving us a story that has all the qualities of a “normal” Spider-Man story while also pushing the character forward in some ways.
Ryan Ottley isn’t my favorite, I must admit. I’m not a huge fan of how angular his style is, but he definitely knows how to make sets that could easily be flat and dull feel active and engaging. Perspective goes a long way. The textures of certain characters’ give Cliff Rathburn the chance to add quite a bit of detail and weight, adding an oddly realistic sense to an otherwise fairly cartoony book. Laura Martin is my MVP for the issue. I love what she does in panels with MJ. While action heavy moments are par for the course, the emotional ones are something else entirely. The lighting sets a tone of tranquility, bliss, and relief to really drive home just how long Peter (and all of us, damn it) have been waiting for these two to get back together. It’s the visual equivalent of the sound you make taking a cold shower after you’ve been working in the yard all day. All is right with the world.
Another A+. As someone who enjoyed what Dan Slott tried to do for Peter Parker, I couldn’t be happier with what Nick Spencer has brought to the table so far. It’s a great jumping on point while building on what came before. The artists of the book, while not my favorite, certainly make it their own and make each issue all the better for it. If you’re scared that the team had only caught lightning in a bottle before, worry not. This one has got to stay on your pull.
Penciler: Ryan Ottley
Inker: Cliff Rathburn
Colorist: Laura Martin
Publisher: Marvel Comics
I hate to sound like a broken record, so this should be the last time I say this about a book, unless I end up reviewing an issue of the Immortal Hulk: I wasn’t around to tell you my thoughts on the Amazing Spider-Man last time, blah blah blah, but I absolutely loved it. Really though, I just about cried. Nick Spencer knows exactly what Spider-Man needs and what his fans have wanted for so long. Thank God this is biweekly. No spoilers here.
Last issue showed us that Nick Spencer is going to respect what Dan Slott has set up before him, and I’m sure he still will. But wasn’t the Dr. Conners still trapped as the Lizard last time we saw him? All in due time, I hope. Even then, it’s not a huge deal. What’s actually important is that the success of last issue wasn’t just a one-time thing. This one has all the same stuff going for it. MJ, villains that Spencer writes in a really fun way, Peter walking the line between his life and Spider-Man’s in new and interesting ways – it’s all here. Seeds are planted to possibly move Peter away from the Daily Bugle for good (for now) and into a career that readers have felt fit him well for a long time. I can really appreciate that Spencer is giving us a story that has all the qualities of a “normal” Spider-Man story while also pushing the character forward in some ways.
Ryan Ottley isn’t my favorite, I must admit. I’m not a huge fan of how angular his style is, but he definitely knows how to make sets that could easily be flat and dull feel active and engaging. Perspective goes a long way. The textures of certain characters’ give Cliff Rathburn the chance to add quite a bit of detail and weight, adding an oddly realistic sense to an otherwise fairly cartoony book. Laura Martin is my MVP for the issue. I love what she does in panels with MJ. While action heavy moments are par for the course, the emotional ones are something else entirely. The lighting sets a tone of tranquility, bliss, and relief to really drive home just how long Peter (and all of us, damn it) have been waiting for these two to get back together. It’s the visual equivalent of the sound you make taking a cold shower after you’ve been working in the yard all day. All is right with the world.
Another A+. As someone who enjoyed what Dan Slott tried to do for Peter Parker, I couldn’t be happier with what Nick Spencer has brought to the table so far. It’s a great jumping on point while building on what came before. The artists of the book, while not my favorite, certainly make it their own and make each issue all the better for it. If you’re scared that the team had only caught lightning in a bottle before, worry not. This one has got to stay on your pull.
A Look Inside
