This is a big on, I'll make it one post...
7: Spider-man's Tangled Web 10 - Ray of Light
The first of my Electro issues to make the list is very much like Spectacular Spider-man 14. The issue takes place in the living room of Jack and Kasey, two kids with a sick Mother in bed. Kasey, the younger of the two is watching Insect Man, a cartoon that clearly copies Spider-man fighting Electrocutioner (three guess as to who that's meant to be). Jack is having a very hard time, he gets turned down by a girl on the phone and is clearly upset.
He starts picking on the things Kasey likes to feel powerful, super heroes, comics, toys etc. Jack comments on their Dad leaving them, and is clearly bitter about the fact he left nothing for Jack, but a bunch of comics for Kasey. Being the younger one here, Kasey represents the innocence of youth beautifully. He's just a cheerful kid who wnats to watch cartoons. Jack is an angry, confused young adult who can't seem to catch a break.
Jack take's Kasey's Insect Man figure and holds it above him, represting his power over Kasey, and his misuse of that power. Before Jack can say Kasey will never be tall enough to grab the toy, the wall explodes. The two stare at the gap were the TV once stood, now looking out over New York. Kasey turns his head round to find Spider-man in a heap on the floor.
Jack immeadiately takes charge, standing over Kasey, showing his true colors, and love for his brother. Kasey wants to aid Spider-man, but Jack wants to ring the poilce. The two are interrupted by Electro, shoving them out of the way and preparing to kill Spider-man. Jack and Kasey seek refuge behind the couch, but Kasey throws his Insect Man figure, hitting Max on the back of the head and distracting him. Kasey stands up to Electro, who zaps him to the floor. Seeing his little brother hurt, Jack jumps into action.
Max mocks him, then goes to shock him. A web connects with his finger, and Spider-man reels in the punches, beating the snot out of Electro. With Max down, Peter turns his attention to the kids, asking after their parents. When Kasey tells him him about their Father, Spider-man apologises and says he can relate. Jack challenges him, but Peter burshes it off, producing his rent, stashed inside his costume. He hands it over to Jack.
That's my favorite part of his issue right here, like Peter smiling for Joey in Spectacular 14, he hands over his rent, no matter how badly he needs it. I've never respected the character more than at that point.
Jack erupts, and asks if giving them $500 after he put a hole through their wall and nearly got them killed was just meant to make everything okay. Peter's answer is beautiful. "No. It's not." you couldn't ask for a more perfect answer in Marvel's world of realism if you ask me. Peter tries, he tries to very hard, and when he doesn't peform with 100% results, all he can say is he can't make everything okay, no matter how much he wants to.
Electro on his shoulder, Spider-man leaves, saying all he can do in life is "Hope everything works out.", which is what we've seen Spider-man do for 45 years, ride on hope. Kasey turns back to the television, Jack sitting down next to him as a mock of the classic 60's tune plays for Insect Man.
Honestly, there's too much to say about this issue. The art is the best I've ever seen, the emotion is incredibly powerful, the action is tough and gritty, and its a stunning reminder that life doesn't go to plan.
How deep it goes is incredible. How the title "Ray of Light" links to the kids being surrounded in darkness, only to meet day light when Spider-man turns up, signifying hope. How the wall blows up exactly where the T.V. was, the characters coming seemingly into real life. The amount of depth and representation here is just fantastic, this is an all round stunning issue of Spider-man.
t:
)
)
