stillanerd
Sidekick
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- Dec 12, 2005
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Well, heres some more of my thoughts regarding this particular issue:
With that said, it looks like the epilogue next week will essentially be the only comic really worthy of the title Red-Headed Stranger as it will focus more on MJ--which is what this entire five part story arc was advertised as being in the first place. Not that the story hasnt been okay, mind you, but certainly for something that was touted as Mary Janes return to the supporting cast, it still comes off as a bit of a bait-and-switch. Still, I guess well see how the epilogue turns out.
*Barry Kitsons artwork comes across much better this time around. Perhaps it was due in part from the break in-between issues, but it doesnt look nearly as bland as it did in issue #602, especially when it came MJ on the bed in Peters old bedroom and the last panel. So, it terms of the penciling, definite improvement.
*As for Van Lentes script on the other hand, its a little mixed in my opinion. Its pretty clear that hes evoking two classic stories in this part, one being Captured by J. Jonah Jameson (Amazing Spider-Man #25) in that Jolly Jonah is using the technology from the very first Spider-Slayer for the Mandroids on his Anti-Spider-Squad, and, of course The Chameleons first appearance in Amazing Spider-Man #1, especially since both stories involve him impersonating a police officer. So if one is aware of Spider-Man history, they might get a nice sense of nostalgia from that--or may think Van Lente is trying a bit too hard.
*The other slight problem is that while certain things seem nicely resolved, it comes off a bit too neat for its own good. For example, I certainly appreciated Jonah getting his comeuppance for his crusade against Spider-Man here, as not only all of the member of his Anti-Spider-Squad resign and help Spidey get away due to his saving the city from a terrorist attack, but also the Deputy Mayor rightly tells him off before he resigns from office, proving Jonahs rivalry with Spider-Man is not going to work as well as it did when he was a newspaper publisher. But, I really thought the way Spider-Man escaped from Chameleons acid pit just seemed to strain all sorts of credulity, from the fact he was able to apparently web himself up in protective cocoon for what seems like hours (given we dont know how durable the webbing is and that the webs are supposed to dissolve in an hour) even though the acid is fast acting to kill someone in seconds, to the pit conveniently draining so he would eventually get out.
*Likewise, while I thought it was a good scene between Peter and MJ and them patching things up due to the fact she thinks hes helped Harry with his living situation (not to mention, thanks to a shared joke about Doc Ock, its pretty obvious not only does MJ know hes Spider-Man, but Peter knows that she knows), it just seems too easy and quick. Not to mention its a regression back to the Roger Stern and Tom Deflaco days in which MJ played the role of Peters ex-fiancée who is now his really good friend even though theres still deep feelings for one another. Speaking of Harrys new living arrangement--I thought the panel showing Harry lounging on the couch with those three bombshell Reilly cousins was classic.
*Of course the one development Im not at all happy with is that Michelle Gonzales is now Peters new live-in lover. To be fair, though, she is operating under the mistaken impression that they are a couple and its very apparent Peter is not exactly thrilled with the idea himself. But that still doesnt make the situation any less contrived or any less troubling, especially since the foundation for this relationship was built on the disturbing aspect of the Chameleon seducing Michelle under the guise of being Peter. The whole development of Peters new relationship carries with it rather sexist undertones and Michelle herself, as I said before, comes off less of character than more of a walking plot device. At best, shes the typical moody, overly-demanding girlfriend; at worst shes an ethnic stereotype. Of course, the only consolation to all this that this relationship is so obviously designed to fail that the quicker this pairing is over, the better.
BTW, if you really want to see why the the Peter and Michelle pairing is bad, a poster by the name of K-Box, a.k.a. CrazySugarFreakBoy, at comic boards says it much better, albeit far more harshly, than I can here: http://www.comicboards.com/app/show.php?rpy=smb-2009091018150649
*Finally, I know that comic books these days are designed to set-up the next big arc, but it still doesnt make it any less frustrating. Granted, I am a little curious about the Chameleon teaming up with Kravens widow from Kravens First Hunt as the Gauntlet storyline is essentially getting underway here, but still it would have been nice to at least wrap up the Chameleon side of things.
*As for Van Lentes script on the other hand, its a little mixed in my opinion. Its pretty clear that hes evoking two classic stories in this part, one being Captured by J. Jonah Jameson (Amazing Spider-Man #25) in that Jolly Jonah is using the technology from the very first Spider-Slayer for the Mandroids on his Anti-Spider-Squad, and, of course The Chameleons first appearance in Amazing Spider-Man #1, especially since both stories involve him impersonating a police officer. So if one is aware of Spider-Man history, they might get a nice sense of nostalgia from that--or may think Van Lente is trying a bit too hard.
*The other slight problem is that while certain things seem nicely resolved, it comes off a bit too neat for its own good. For example, I certainly appreciated Jonah getting his comeuppance for his crusade against Spider-Man here, as not only all of the member of his Anti-Spider-Squad resign and help Spidey get away due to his saving the city from a terrorist attack, but also the Deputy Mayor rightly tells him off before he resigns from office, proving Jonahs rivalry with Spider-Man is not going to work as well as it did when he was a newspaper publisher. But, I really thought the way Spider-Man escaped from Chameleons acid pit just seemed to strain all sorts of credulity, from the fact he was able to apparently web himself up in protective cocoon for what seems like hours (given we dont know how durable the webbing is and that the webs are supposed to dissolve in an hour) even though the acid is fast acting to kill someone in seconds, to the pit conveniently draining so he would eventually get out.
*Likewise, while I thought it was a good scene between Peter and MJ and them patching things up due to the fact she thinks hes helped Harry with his living situation (not to mention, thanks to a shared joke about Doc Ock, its pretty obvious not only does MJ know hes Spider-Man, but Peter knows that she knows), it just seems too easy and quick. Not to mention its a regression back to the Roger Stern and Tom Deflaco days in which MJ played the role of Peters ex-fiancée who is now his really good friend even though theres still deep feelings for one another. Speaking of Harrys new living arrangement--I thought the panel showing Harry lounging on the couch with those three bombshell Reilly cousins was classic.
*Of course the one development Im not at all happy with is that Michelle Gonzales is now Peters new live-in lover. To be fair, though, she is operating under the mistaken impression that they are a couple and its very apparent Peter is not exactly thrilled with the idea himself. But that still doesnt make the situation any less contrived or any less troubling, especially since the foundation for this relationship was built on the disturbing aspect of the Chameleon seducing Michelle under the guise of being Peter. The whole development of Peters new relationship carries with it rather sexist undertones and Michelle herself, as I said before, comes off less of character than more of a walking plot device. At best, shes the typical moody, overly-demanding girlfriend; at worst shes an ethnic stereotype. Of course, the only consolation to all this that this relationship is so obviously designed to fail that the quicker this pairing is over, the better.
BTW, if you really want to see why the the Peter and Michelle pairing is bad, a poster by the name of K-Box, a.k.a. CrazySugarFreakBoy, at comic boards says it much better, albeit far more harshly, than I can here: http://www.comicboards.com/app/show.php?rpy=smb-2009091018150649
*Finally, I know that comic books these days are designed to set-up the next big arc, but it still doesnt make it any less frustrating. Granted, I am a little curious about the Chameleon teaming up with Kravens widow from Kravens First Hunt as the Gauntlet storyline is essentially getting underway here, but still it would have been nice to at least wrap up the Chameleon side of things.
With that said, it looks like the epilogue next week will essentially be the only comic really worthy of the title Red-Headed Stranger as it will focus more on MJ--which is what this entire five part story arc was advertised as being in the first place. Not that the story hasnt been okay, mind you, but certainly for something that was touted as Mary Janes return to the supporting cast, it still comes off as a bit of a bait-and-switch. Still, I guess well see how the epilogue turns out.
Let me just say words fail me at this point.
