Just got mine today. I have to say that what I like most is what Marvel used to do all the time in their hey-day: slowly advance sub-plots. In this case, there's small developments with Harry, his relationship with his Dad, Lily, Mr. Li. I don't need everything answered for me all at once, just a bone thrown to let me know that they haven't forgotten about it.
Oh, and I don't know if it was in the solicits or not, but it looks like next issue will be focusing on [BLACKOUT]Flash[/BLACKOUT].
I don't think you're spoiling anything about the character since there's been interviews about the issue for a while now. It seems this will be a nonspider-man issue. It looks like they're trying to establish everything the cast has been up to during that time period of infamy between this and the upcoming harry issues.
Today's a hot & heavy day of work for me at the old grind. I may not even get to the comic store today! I'm so ready for the conclusion of this arc and Batman RIP.
I thought this was a great issue, i can't lie, the GG vs. Spidey battle was short but sweet and there were some interesting developments with Harry. Very very solid issue, nothing really special but solid. My only complaint is Slott's dialogue is very dated and corny at times, i wish Slott would give his characters more natural and modern speech patterns but thats just a minor complaint. NWTD, has officially restored my faith in Spiderman...for now at least.
And so this arc ends. Did I like it? Y...Y-Yeah. Its was alright. Parts 3 and 4, especially 3, was the high point. It made up for the lack luster part 5. Funny, how this arc really was just Spidey vs. GG, Edddie vs. Mac. Seriously, Songbird, R-Man, and Bullseye were all filler. You can plainly tell Slott didn't even want to use those three, at least not Melissa and Chen. He did express excitment with Bullseye. In fact, he even said the Bullseye fight was his favorite part, and yet, the Osbornes, the Venom twins, hell, even Menace (for a second) stole the show!
The confrontation of Harry and Norman was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better than the confrontation between Spidey and Goblin. That's actually hard to believe, but there were a LOT of tidbits hinted and revealed about Harry. I was blindsighted! Now even though we got another Venom/AV fight, it wasn't anything intense. Gargan did to Brock what Brock did to Gargan in the kick ass part 3 (though unlike Gargan, Eddie didn't beg like a pansy as he lost his "symbiote"). Biggest reveal was that even after rejecting the Venom symbiote a handful of times, and coming EXTREMELY CLOSE to killing it, the Venom symbiote is still "attached" to Eddie and won't let Gargan try to kill him. That does burn me up, though. These writers keep leaving the "Oh, maybe Eddie and the Venom symbiote WILL rebond someday; We'll leave these hints around" elements open for people like me to think "Hmmm...Eddie/Venom's coming back" when...HE WON'T!
Well, looks like Marvel wants Anti-Venom to go down the mid-90's stuporhero Venom route...I'm depressed...
Well, this arc ended with an "ok" for me. The Harry Osborn revelations make me want to keep reading, plus the MJ/Peter retcon-explaination, so maybe NWTD won't be the last BND ASM story I read...but it will be the last BND ASM story I pay for legally.
Am i the only one who was disappointed that Gargan didnt remain the Scorpion for long? I was hoping Gargain would be in that new scorpion suit for a while, it looked really cool, plus i miss the scorpion! Oh well...good issue though.
Am i the only one who was disappointed that Gargan didnt remain the Scorpion for long? I was hoping Gargain would be in that new scorpion suit for a while, it looked really cool, plus i miss the scorpion! Oh well...good issue though.
I retract, I read that wrong (too little coffee), yeah you're the only one. I don't mind some scorpion in the Gargan Venom, that makes sense but that thing was just a bit 90s for me.
A new scorpion will be coming soon enough, I like gargan as venom currently and am in no hurry for him to change back.
While New Ways to Die was probably the best so far of the new Brand New Day status quo we've gotten for Spider-Man, it's really not saying much considering the problems the title has had. One big problem that happened here which is characteristic of BND in general is that after 27 issues--which would be just over two years worth of comics if ASM was still a monthly title--there are all these various subplots floating around that are still not resolved. One excellent commentary I came across on another board stated that it's not that certain things aren't being explained or addressed, but that it's too little and too slow. Not only that but these hints, small and few that they are, are just set-ups for completely different story arcs rather than wrapping up the current subplot.
A good example is:
Harry's connection to this "Promethea" project which might have something to do with the human testing on the illegal Chinese immigrants and Freak. Sure, it's a mystery, but the point is, none of the other story threads have been resolved yet and we're already getting new ones piled up. Sure we get hints of other stuff throughout this arc, such as who Menace might be and what his (or her) motivation is, Crowne's connection to Osborn, mentions here or there about the Spider-Tracer killings, etc., but so far, what little advancement there was was very scant. The only one that seems to be really close to being answered is what Martin Li/Mr. Negative's powers involve, and I think it's obvious that Li's healing powers can only absorb so much before he has to "wring out" all that "negative energy" by becoming Mr. Negative, as it's clear that the miraculous healings stopped and Li became sick before going in Negative mode in front of Aunt May. It's really become apparent that the Spider-Man writers are juggling too many plates right now.
Oh, and the "soap opera love triangle" Joe Q promised us is also in full swing, I guess, but I'm seeing overwhelming unsympathetic reaction towards Lily and her kissing Peter when Harry was out of the room. At best, Lily, having gone through an emotional wringer with what happened to her father and seeing Harry in a different light makes her turn to Peter for comfort, which makes her look emotionally weak (not to mention come off as a bit forced). At worst, she is either Menace or connected to Menace, or that she's a duplicitous and manipulative snank, which means either way she's not to be trusted. Maybe that's why some of us who want Peter and MJ back together were not that upset with this scene, and not just because Peter rightfully rebuffed her advances.
Oh, and as for Eddie Brock still being Anti-Venom--I understand what the braintrust is trying to do with the character in that Brock is seeking redemption (again) but really, all they've done is turned a guy who was once one of Spider-Man's greater nemesis' into another symbiote spin-off like Carnage or Toxin when he should be the original deal. After all, if you're going to devote six issues in which Eddie Brock and the Thunderbolts play a significant part, why not have Brock become the one true Venom again and Gargan stay as the Scorpion?
I'd say "anti-climatic" is the right word for how this story arc ended.
While New Ways to Die was probably the best so far of the new Brand New Day status quo we've gotten for Spider-Man, it's really not saying much considering the problems the title has had. One big problem that happened here which is characteristic of BND in general is that after 27 issues--which would be just over two years worth of comics if ASM was still a monthly title--there are all these various subplots floating around that are still not resolved. One excellent commentary I came across on another board stated that it's not that certain things aren't being explained or addressed, but that it's too little and too slow. Not only that but these hints, small and few that they are, are just set-ups for completely different story arcs rather than wrapping up the current subplot.
A good example is:
Harry's connection to this "Promethea" project which might have something to do with the human testing on the illegal Chinese immigrants and Freak. Sure, it's a mystery, but the point is, none of the other story threads have been resolved yet and we're already getting new ones piled up. Sure we get hints of other stuff throughout this arc, such as who Menace might be and what his (or her) motivation is, Crowne's connection to Osborn, mentions here or there about the Spider-Tracer killings, etc., but so far, what little advancement there was was very scant. The only one that seems to be really close to being answered is what Martin Li/Mr. Negative's powers involve, and I think it's obvious that Li's healing powers can only absorb so much before he has to "wring out" all that "negative energy" by becoming Mr. Negative, as it's clear that the miraculous healings stopped and Li became sick before going in Negative mode in front of Aunt May. It's really become apparent that the Spider-Man writers are juggling too many plates right now.
Oh, and the "soap opera love triangle" Joe Q promised us is also in full swing, I guess, but I'm seeing overwhelming unsympathetic reaction towards Lily and her kissing Peter when Harry was out of the room. At best, And at best, Lily, having gone through an emotional wringer with what happened to her father and seeing Harry in a different light makes her turn to Peter for comfort, which makes her look emotionally weak (not to mention come off as a bit forced). At worst, she is either Menace or connected to Menace, or that she's a duplicitous and manipulative snank, which means either way she's not to be trusted. Maybe that's why some of us who want Peter and MJ back together were not that upset with this scene, and not just because Peter rightfully rebuffed her advances.
Oh, and as for Eddie Brock still being Ant-Venom--I understand that the braintrust is trying to do with the character in that Brock is seeking redemption (again) but really, all they've done is turned a guy who was once Spider-Man's great nemesis' into another symbiote spin-off like Carnage or Toxin when he should be the original deal. After all, if you f you're going to devote six issues in which Eddie Brock and the Thunderbolts play a significant part, why not have Brock become the one true Venom again and Gargan stay as the Scorpion?
I'd say "anti-climatic" is the right word for how this story arc ended.
Answers about flash and Harry are coming in next month and in Janurary we are told that a story will answer a lot more. As I've said before to make the thrice monthly thing possible the brain trust had to plan months in advanced, before knowing what OMD may bring about because of that they couldn't have answers yet, because they didn't know the questions. Anyway why is two years worth of issue's too long. The secret of the Green Goblin last about that long, the Hobgoblin lasted for two decades let alone years.
As for the issue, other than being forced to buy a varient cover, I liked it. I loved that when Harry was talking to Norman, Norman was drinking from a mug which had
Greatest Dad
wrote on it.
As for Lily is she to be trusted.
Here's the thing. Did she kiss Peter because she likes him? Or was it because he was about to open a secret passage? Peter was about to pull a book out of a book shelf in Osborn's office that was called The Rise of the Norman Empirethen she quickly grabbed a kissed him. Would that book shelf have revealed anything? Oh and when you count in Charlie and Vic it's actually a love Pentagon.
While New Ways to Die was probably the best so far of the new Brand New Day status quo we've gotten for Spider-Man, it's really not saying much considering the problems the title has had. One big problem that happened here which is characteristic of BND in general is that after 27 issues--which would be just over two years worth of comics if ASM was still a monthly title--there are all these various subplots floating around that are still not resolved. One excellent commentary I came across on another board stated that it's not that certain things aren't being explained or addressed, but that it's too little and too slow. Not only that but these hints, small and few that they are, are just set-ups for completely different story arcs rather than wrapping up the current subplot.
A good example is:
Oh, and as for Eddie Brock still being Ant-Venom--I understand that the braintrust is trying to do with the character in that Brock is seeking redemption (again) but really, all they've done is turned a guy who was once Spider-Man's great nemesis' into another symbiote spin-off like Carnage or Toxin when he should be the original deal. After all, if you f you're going to devote six issues in which Eddie Brock and the Thunderbolts play a significant part, why not have Brock become the one true Venom again and Gargan stay as the Scorpion?
I'd say "anti-climatic" is the right word for how this story arc ended.
Even worse is that the original symbiote-based character has become not only a spin-off symbiote character, but a re-run character too. We've already gone down this road with Eddie before. He's tried to be a good guy. It doesn't work...well, maybe it could with better writing, but Marvel always brags about "originality", and I don't see that here with Anti-Venom. And you aren't alone with you wishing Eddie went back to being Venom, but I also see it this way: Eddie's character has been revamped. Having him be Venom again would undo everything that has made Brock good again. So its like we're inbetween a rock and a hard place here.
Answers about flash and Harry are coming in next month and in Janurary we are told that a story will answer a lot more. As I've said before to make the thrice monthly thing possible the brain trust had to plan months in advanced, before knowing what OMD may bring about because of that they couldn't have answers yet, because they didn't know the questions. Anyway why is two years worth of issue's too long. The secret of the Green Goblin last about that long, the Hobgoblin lasted for two decades let alone years.
With regards to the Hobgoblin, it only lasted that long because the Stern never intended Ned Leeds to be the Hobgoblin and he didn't get the opportunity to fix it until later (and it was already prolonged because of changes in the staff, Stern apparently not cluing DeFlaco or anyone else in on his long term plans, bean counters wanting more Hobgoblin mystery to prolong sales, etc.) And Norman's revealed to be the Green Goblin was considered, by some, to actually be out of left field considering the little time Norman actually appeared in the comic itself.
Anyway, whatever problems the old format had--especially in terms of coordination--there was a tendency for three separate storylines with their various subplots that took place in each of the three books, with the occasional crossover for "live changing events." The downside, of course, is that some folks didn't buy certain books and thus didn't know about particular subplots, or there were continuity problems between the three books.
However, I believe that, because there were fewer titles in each book printed each year being that they were monthly, it essentially forced the writers of those books to not prolong certain subplots beyond what was necessary, allowing for advanced momentum in the stories in a limited amount of space. What I believe an unintended consequence of the three times a month story format that Amazing Spider-Man has taken is that it's allowed for decompression to take place, extending the subplots and mysteries at a slower pace than normal. This is further compounded by the fact that you have various writers contributing who each want to tell their story, which could result in some mysteries being barely addressed while new one's get piled on top.
As for the issue, other than being forced to buy a varient cover, I liked it. I loved that when Harry was talking to Norman, Norman was drinking from a mug which had
Here's the thing. Did she kiss Peter because she likes him? Or was it because he was about to open a secret passage? Peter was about to pull a book out of a book shelf in Osborn's office that was called The Rise of the Norman Empirethen she quickly grabbed a kissed him. Would that book shelf have revealed anything? Oh and when you count in Charlie and Vic it's actually a love Pentagon.
Oh, I understood the implication, and whose to say [blackout]both things weren't going on in that Lily was being sincere about her feelings for Peter AND trying to prevent him from finding the stash of Goblin gear.[/blackout] However, given what what clues about Menace we did get in this arc, not to mention [blackout]what happened in Spider-Man Secret Invasion[/blackout] the idea that
Menace might actually be Lily seems a bit too obvious and wouldn't surprise me if they're actually red herrings designed to make the reader suspect her. I'm still thinking Carlie is actually Menace for a variety of reasons I've explained before. Remember, eveything that applies to Lily can also apply to Carlie. Also, Dan Slott did state in an interview that there's more than meets the eye as to why Vin Gonzales happens to be there whenever Menace attacks Hollister. Remember, Vin is doing because of Carlie and Menace needs witnesses for whenever he "attacks" Hollister.
With regards to the Hobgoblin, it only lasted that long because the Stern never intended Ned Leeds to be the Hobgoblin and he didn't get the opportunity to fix it until later (and it was already prolonged because of changes in the staff, Stern apparently not cluing DeFlaco or anyone else in on his long term plans, bean counters wanting more Hobgoblin mystery to prolong sales, etc.) And Norman's revealed to be the Green Goblin was considered, by some, to actually be out of left field considering the little time Norman actually appeared in the comic itself.
Anyway, whatever problems the old format had--especially in terms of coordination--there was a tendency for three separate storylines with their various subplots that took place in each of the three books, with the occasional crossover for "live changing events." The downside, of course, is that some folks didn't buy certain books and thus didn't know about particular subplots, or there were continuity problems between the three books.
However, I believe that, because there were fewer titles in each book printed each year being that they were monthly, it essentially forced the writers of those books to not prolong certain subplots beyond what was necessary, allowing for advanced momentum in the stories in a limited amount of space. What I believe an unintended consequence of the three times a month story format that Amazing Spider-Man has taken is that it's allowed for decompression to take place, extending the subplots and mysteries at a slower pace than normal. This is further compounded by the fact that you have various writers contributing who each want to tell their story, which could result in some mysteries being barely addressed while new one's get piled on top.
Yeah, that was a nice ironic touch.
Oh, I understood the implication, and whose to say [blackout]both things weren't going on in that Lily was being sincere about her feelings for Peter AND trying to prevent him from finding the stash of Goblin gear.[/blackout] However, given what what clues about Menace we did get in this arc, not to mention [blackout]what happened in Spider-Man Secret Invasion[/blackout] the idea that
Menace might actually be Lily seems a bit too obvious and wouldn't surprise me if they're actually red herrings designed to make the reader suspect her. I'm still thinking Carlie is actually Menace for a variety of reasons I've explained before. Remember, eveything that applies to Lily can also apply to Carlie. Also, Dan Slott did state in an interview that there's more than meets the eye as to why Vin Gonzales happens to be there whenever Menace attacks Hollister. Remember, Vin is doing because of Carlie and Menace needs witnesses for whenever he "attacks" Hollister.
Actually Norman was introduced a few issues or so before the big reveal though it wasn't until issue 37 that there was a clue he might be a major character. The Goblin character was around for almost three years before his identity was revealed (must be some kind of record)
Anti climatic. Many things still left unresolved while many others are thrown into the mix. The Stephen Colbert story is a waste of space. Should be used for more extra pages of NWTD.
Actually Norman was introduced a few issues or so before the big reveal though it wasn't until issue 37 that there was a clue he might be a major character. The Goblin character was around for almost three years before his identity was revealed (must be some kind of record)
True, and in terms of actual suspects, Norman Osborn was a last minute addition. Reading letter pages at the time, some thought it was Jameson, others Ned Leeds, and there was one rumor going around that Steve Ditko wanted it to be some "nobody" that had no connection to Spider-Man or Peter Parker at all. The idea that it was Harry dad seemed to come out of left field was because, out of all the people the Green Goblin could have been, Norman Osborn was a really a last minute add on who only showed up in a single issue a couple months before the Goblin revealed his identity. Course, the official stance now is that Norman was in issue #23 and that he was, as of then, an unidentified character with the cornrow hairstyle in Jameson's social club. And of course, Venom being revealed as Eddie Brock was, to be fair, even more out of left field.
One thing is bothering me about Brock/Anti-Venom, is Brock actually conscious of his actions when he's anti-venom or does the suit take over his personality and act on its own? I ask because at the beginning of NWTD, Brock is on his way to a new beginning leading a normal life, then all of a sudden the anti-venom suit takes over him and all of a sudden he's fighting the Thunderbolts with Spider-man and calling himself the "Anti-Venom". I mean, not once during the story did Brock ask himself "What the hell is going on? What's happening to me, what the hell is this suit?", he acted way too natural about the whole thing, you'd think he'd be a little traumatized about what just happened to him.
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
