Review: ‘Amazing Spider-Man’ #28 May Get Peter Parker Back On Track
by Tony Thornley
After some of the most abysmal Spider-Man stories in Peter Parker’s history, Amazing Spider-Man really had nowhere to go but up. Amazing Spider-Man #28 puts that to the test.
Zeb Wells, Ed McGuinness, Mark Farmer, Marco Menyz, and Joe Caramagna bring Doc Ock back into the picture.
Doc Ock’s outdated arms have been wrecked, and J. Jonah Jameson wants to repay the sweet little AI for everything he’s done. However, Norman Osborn and Peter Parker may let compassion undermine caution. After all, Otto Octavius is one of the most cunning villains in the Marvel Universe, and he’ll stop at nothing to have his revenge on Spider-Man and the Goblin!
I’m not going to say the specter of Ms. Marvel’s death isn’t handing over this issue. It absolutely does- it’s still a story that never should have happened and so far it’s entirely only served to motivate Peter and Norman. However, on its own, this is a pretty great issue. Wells’ Otto is cocky and intelligent, and he makes the issue entertaining as hell. The Peter and Norman relationship is quickly growing into a highlight of the book, and I love Jonah here. I just wish it didn’t have the stink of such a terrible story hanging on it.
McGuinness and Farmer’s art is generally strong but some of their specifics are a bit of a mixed bag. They have a fantastic sense of energy in their figures and layouts. Their take on Jonah has a ton of personality, making him a highlight of the story in another way as well. Their Otto also looks great. Their take on Peter- in and out of costume- is a little too bulky for my tastes, but they give him a great sense of energy and movement. Menyz adapts his colors to their style and in doing so continues to be a highlight of this volume.
Caramagna has really stepped up his (already high level) game. He does a good job with balloons and captions as always. Where this issue shines is in sound effects. Some of them are pretty standard, but he also makes a point of giving the story’s multiple AI’s their own unique warbles that feel like dialogue without using bubbles of any sort.
Amazing Spider-Man #28 is available now from Marvel Comics.
Overview
This series has so much going for it. I want it to be this good all the time, and without the specter of some horrific tropes hanging over it.
