stillanerd
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My thoughts on Amazing Spider-Man #652:
http://stillanerd.livejournal.com/9047.html
With the first of arc of Dan Slotts Big Time direction finished for Amazing Spider-Man, thus begins yet the second chapter with The Revenge of the Spider-Slayers with artist Stefano Caselli taking charge of the art chores this time. This particular issue is a set-up for the overall story, as--continuing from the back-up tales in issues #650 and #651--Alistair Smythe, along with the Scorpion, prepare and then execute their revenge against their mutual enemy, Mayor J. Jonah Jameson, with Smythes insect army by interfering with the space shuttle launch of Jonahs son, John.
Much of the issue turns its attention on highlighting how, for once, everything appears to be working out for Peter Parker (which, of course, you know it can only go down from here because otherwise Spider-Man having a perfect life would be completely boring) especially when in comes to his new forensic scientist and now Roller Derby queen girlfriend, Carlie Cooper. And once again, just as it seemed to be the case in issue #650, its done at Mary Janes expense.
Now when Slott uses Mary Jane as Peters ex and friend to challenge Peter, specifically when asking him why he hasnt told Carlie hes Spider-Man yet if hes truly serious about her, thats one thing. Its when shes used to essentially undermine her and Peters past 20 year relationship to make Peters new relationship with Carlie look better by comparison. This is evident during Carlies Roller Derby match, in which MJ, noting how together Peters life seems to be, realizes that he did it without her and becomes jealous of Carlie (and remember, this is same MJ who, in One Moment in Time, said she couldnt be with Peter any more and that he needed to move on with someone else). That is until Carlie runs into her and MJ has a change of heart and give Carlie her blessing. Aside of MJ coming across as really fickle for no good reason (and Im sure someone will sarcastically argue that MJ is just acting like a typical woman, hardy har har!), one cant help but see it as a met fictional attack by Slott on his critics, essentially saying the only reason you guys dont like Carlie is because she isnt Mary Jane. Well, f*** you! Peters with Carlie now, who he has more in common with, and who likes him for being plain ol Pete unlike MJ who only loved Peter for being Spider-Man. So quit b****ing and get over it already! If this is indeed the case, it not only comes off as the writer dictating to his audience how they should feel without showing adequate reasons why, but by calling attention to the criticism towards Carlie, its as though Slott (and Marvel) are admitting Carlie is not as popular with the readers like they may have hoped. Otherwise why have this scene in this manner in the first place?
Granted, Slott does attempt to generate some chemistry between Peter and Carlie during a brief roller-staking sequence. And theres a hilarious moment in which Carlie tells Peter she thinks Spider-Man and MJ would make a cute couple and suggests she and Peter help get them together. But regardless, Carlie, while a nice enough, still feels flat and generically typed as a character.
Faring better is the build-up to the attack by Alistar Smythe, the Scorpion, and the Insest Army at the Vertex Shuttle launch. Slott deliberately bides his time by focusing on character, especially J. Jonah Jameson being his typical, bombastic, and ever-complaining self while still concerned for the safety of his son, John; Max Modell and another Horizon Labs scientist, Juergen Muntz, and their different views on Peters reliability as a scientist, and also Jonahs father, Jay, who still feels a bit anxious about his grandson. Adding to this is Slott having Peter recall the first time he saved John back in Amazing Spider-Man #1, and that by evoking the sense of coming full circle theres a sense of growing dread to the overall story. However, this is also to the storys disadvantage, for the foreshadowing throughout is very apparent (in my particular case, it appears the heavy hand of death, or at least serious injury, is going to befall Jay in this storyline, although Im been guessing that this character has been a dead man walking ever since he and Aunt May were engaged prior to their marriage).
The biggest strength this issue, though, has to be Stefano Casellis excellent artwork. Even though its a much more realistic style and far less stylized than Humberto Ramos, Caselli has a real knack for creating exaggerated but very expressive and believable facial expressions that convey the genuine emotions and feelings of the characters. And while some folks may not be particularly enthusiastic for Alistar Smythe, the Scorpion, or the Insect Army as the villains, one cannot deny that, under Caselli, they look visually fantastic, their bio-mechanical look making them appear appropriately threatening and alien in appearance to enhance them as being a deadly, unstoppable force not to be taken lightly. And while this issue may be light on the action, what we do get is certainly captures the sense of movement, even though there are times--especially during scenes with Peter roller skating that take up a single page, it does appear a bit cramped.
We also get a back-up story by Fred Van Lente and Reilly Brown which addressed a previous plot thread from the previous story arc--mainly that Jonah is forced in presenting Spider-Man with a key to the city. This leads into a confrontation with the new Power Man and the return of one of the more ridiculous villains in Spideys rogues gallery. It seems like its just going to be an amusing little comedy of errors superhero vs. superhero fight, but it appears this will wind up being a three-part Marvel Team Up type tale. So essentially, it appears there will be two Spider-Man stories in a single comic going on for at least three issues, which should make some folks happy.
Overall, it's a decent enough start (with the exception of the Mary Jane and Carlie stuff). The hype for this story is that it's supposed to be another game-changer in the life of Peter Parker and his supporting cast, so will see how well this story lives up to that promise.
Much of the issue turns its attention on highlighting how, for once, everything appears to be working out for Peter Parker (which, of course, you know it can only go down from here because otherwise Spider-Man having a perfect life would be completely boring) especially when in comes to his new forensic scientist and now Roller Derby queen girlfriend, Carlie Cooper. And once again, just as it seemed to be the case in issue #650, its done at Mary Janes expense.
Now when Slott uses Mary Jane as Peters ex and friend to challenge Peter, specifically when asking him why he hasnt told Carlie hes Spider-Man yet if hes truly serious about her, thats one thing. Its when shes used to essentially undermine her and Peters past 20 year relationship to make Peters new relationship with Carlie look better by comparison. This is evident during Carlies Roller Derby match, in which MJ, noting how together Peters life seems to be, realizes that he did it without her and becomes jealous of Carlie (and remember, this is same MJ who, in One Moment in Time, said she couldnt be with Peter any more and that he needed to move on with someone else). That is until Carlie runs into her and MJ has a change of heart and give Carlie her blessing. Aside of MJ coming across as really fickle for no good reason (and Im sure someone will sarcastically argue that MJ is just acting like a typical woman, hardy har har!), one cant help but see it as a met fictional attack by Slott on his critics, essentially saying the only reason you guys dont like Carlie is because she isnt Mary Jane. Well, f*** you! Peters with Carlie now, who he has more in common with, and who likes him for being plain ol Pete unlike MJ who only loved Peter for being Spider-Man. So quit b****ing and get over it already! If this is indeed the case, it not only comes off as the writer dictating to his audience how they should feel without showing adequate reasons why, but by calling attention to the criticism towards Carlie, its as though Slott (and Marvel) are admitting Carlie is not as popular with the readers like they may have hoped. Otherwise why have this scene in this manner in the first place?
Granted, Slott does attempt to generate some chemistry between Peter and Carlie during a brief roller-staking sequence. And theres a hilarious moment in which Carlie tells Peter she thinks Spider-Man and MJ would make a cute couple and suggests she and Peter help get them together. But regardless, Carlie, while a nice enough, still feels flat and generically typed as a character.
Faring better is the build-up to the attack by Alistar Smythe, the Scorpion, and the Insest Army at the Vertex Shuttle launch. Slott deliberately bides his time by focusing on character, especially J. Jonah Jameson being his typical, bombastic, and ever-complaining self while still concerned for the safety of his son, John; Max Modell and another Horizon Labs scientist, Juergen Muntz, and their different views on Peters reliability as a scientist, and also Jonahs father, Jay, who still feels a bit anxious about his grandson. Adding to this is Slott having Peter recall the first time he saved John back in Amazing Spider-Man #1, and that by evoking the sense of coming full circle theres a sense of growing dread to the overall story. However, this is also to the storys disadvantage, for the foreshadowing throughout is very apparent (in my particular case, it appears the heavy hand of death, or at least serious injury, is going to befall Jay in this storyline, although Im been guessing that this character has been a dead man walking ever since he and Aunt May were engaged prior to their marriage).
The biggest strength this issue, though, has to be Stefano Casellis excellent artwork. Even though its a much more realistic style and far less stylized than Humberto Ramos, Caselli has a real knack for creating exaggerated but very expressive and believable facial expressions that convey the genuine emotions and feelings of the characters. And while some folks may not be particularly enthusiastic for Alistar Smythe, the Scorpion, or the Insect Army as the villains, one cannot deny that, under Caselli, they look visually fantastic, their bio-mechanical look making them appear appropriately threatening and alien in appearance to enhance them as being a deadly, unstoppable force not to be taken lightly. And while this issue may be light on the action, what we do get is certainly captures the sense of movement, even though there are times--especially during scenes with Peter roller skating that take up a single page, it does appear a bit cramped.
We also get a back-up story by Fred Van Lente and Reilly Brown which addressed a previous plot thread from the previous story arc--mainly that Jonah is forced in presenting Spider-Man with a key to the city. This leads into a confrontation with the new Power Man and the return of one of the more ridiculous villains in Spideys rogues gallery. It seems like its just going to be an amusing little comedy of errors superhero vs. superhero fight, but it appears this will wind up being a three-part Marvel Team Up type tale. So essentially, it appears there will be two Spider-Man stories in a single comic going on for at least three issues, which should make some folks happy.
Overall, it's a decent enough start (with the exception of the Mary Jane and Carlie stuff). The hype for this story is that it's supposed to be another game-changer in the life of Peter Parker and his supporting cast, so will see how well this story lives up to that promise.
http://stillanerd.livejournal.com/9047.html
