First I'd like to say that I have been mostly anti-BND from the start. I mildly enjoyed Slott's first arc, but was prevented from liking it more because it was
right after OMD and that taste was still in my mouth. His second arc was good, too. Gale's arcs were utter trash and Guggenheim's stories were just "meh." The high point of it all was Zeb Wells's
fantastic three-part story "Sometimes It Snows in April" or whatever it was called. It rocked.
So here we are...the first big six-parter. I'll just say it now: I thought it was incredible and easily the best issue of BND. It's not even in the same league as the other stories (except for the one by Wells). It's smartly written and maturely written, not like the childish junk we've been seeing. This is good stuff. I didn't mind Menace...I didn't mind Harry. The story was just...
good. It was the first time in a long time that I actually felt excited reading a Spidey comic again. It made me feel like I was reading JMS's early stuff...when it seemed fresh and new. This really felt like a Spider-Man book, not some childish knock-off.
JRJR's artwork was spectacular and contributed to the "Spidey feel" of the book that I mention above. He remains my favorite Spidey artist to date. When I think of Spider-Man, it's his Spider-Man. It's quirky enough to fit Spidey's personality, while serious enough to convey the drama needed for a story like this.
Norman Osborn is back and great as ever. The last few pages lead you to believe that he knows that Pete is Spider-Man, but sadly, I'm sure he doesn't. It would make the story more layered.
Eddie Brock is back and cancer-free, as explained in a nice little back story by Waid and Granov. It's not entirely clear how, but Mr. Negative is involved with some type of cell-sized things. Eddie also claims Venom is gone completely...but the last panel lets you know he isn't. He was aided and gained release by Matt Murdock, who argued that he was not responsible for his actions as Venom and that he wants to turn over a true leaf...
which is true (this is why I think Murdock would help him).
Overall, a very strong start. It just seems like a more grown up book. If Amazing was this good every week, I'd rejoice at each new issue. I give it a 9/10. Good show, Mr. Slott
