The Amazing Spider-Man #53.LR Review

by Harlan Ivester on November 25, 2020

Writers: Nick Spencer & Matthew Rosenberg
Artists: Federico Vicentini & Takeshi Miyazawa
Inkers: Federico Vicentini & Takeshi Miyasawa with Scott Hanna
Colorists: Marcio Menyz & Erick Arciniega
Letterer: VC’s Ariana Maher
Publisher: Marvel Comics

                It’s strange how I was so frustrated with last issue of the main book for being so uneventful, and here, the .LR issues are moving at a much better pace. It’s a shame that they’re not about the main character. After being teased in previous issues, Morlun finally gets a brief time to shine. I think his dialogue is just a little inconsistent at times with the regal, classy guy we remember from previous encounters, but it’s not too distracting. Without getting into even mild spoilers, the issue does climax with a moral dilemma for the Order of the Web, and I was surprised at how much I bought into it. The tension of the situation was surprisingly believable. Lastly, what kind of reviewer would I be if I didn’t give credit to an improvement on something I previously criticized? You may remember when I rambled about recap pages in Spencer’s Amazing Spider-Man. Well, here, Dr. Strange references ASM #46 by JMS, and it’s a single panel accompanied by an editor’s note detailing the reference. THANK YOU!

                The art is pretty solid, but I do feel there is a step off. I loved the front half by Vicentini. His work is very sharp and clean, and there is so much depth and dynamics to be found in his action pieces. He does a great job at selling just how brutally fast Morlun is. Miyazawa’s half, following the Order of the Web in Peter’s psyche, is presented in a much more traditional layout. The cliffhanger is a standout page, making excellent use of a perceived field of depth. I think the Spider-Folk can look just a little wonky in some instances, but I can’t complain about too much here.

 

Our Score:

6/10

A Look Inside