The Doctor Will See You Now — Reviewing ‘Spider-Punk: Arms Race’ #2

Capitalism is like a Hydra. Cut off one head and numerous others will grow in its place to carry on. Norman Osborn was that head, replaced by Justin Hammer and his cohort of old money blowhards.

Turns out the solution to a Hydra isn’t a Spider-Punk and pals, but an Octopus. Doctor Octopus that is. Things take quite a turn for Earth-138 in Spider-Punk: Arms Race #2 from Cody Ziglar, Justin Mason, Morry Hollowell, and Travis Lanham.

Gosh, I just love this book.

Bold, colorful, biting, entertaining, energetic, gorgeous, and so punk. Truly, I could go on listing off descriptive words, perhaps a list, but that’s not why we’re here. Okay, it is why, but not in that format at least.

Phrases like “Eat the rich” have gained steam over the years because of a massive dissatisfaction with the capitalistic system in play. One that really benefits a select small percentage of the population while leaving others struggling, often without even the essential necessary for continued life. Good news, good old Doctor Otto Octavius on Earth-138 very much agrees.

Unfortunately, he’s still the villain of the story because his anti-establishment views are also very selfish. One might say that his vision for his legacy is something far…superior. Note: that one is very much Otto himself, cause that’s just who that guy is no matter the universe.

Ziglar is just such a stellar character writer. Every character, no matter their place in the tiers of pop culture Marvel relevance, are three dimensional with various levels. We can feel like we’ve known them for years and want to root for or root against them right away. It doesn’t stop there though, because he’s also beyond stellar writing the overall story picture as well.

Wrapping in these real-world concerns into the story, fitted naturally for the given world. Packing a spider-powered punch at delivering the issue as well as a response to the issue.

No matter if a moment is a quieter one with a couple or more characters discussing things, or a bigger all-out brawl, it looks so fantastic. Mason’s artwork just has this powerful energy that hits the reader hard from the first panel and never stops. It’s taking us on a magical rough heavy and musically whimsical ride. Mixed with that roughness is a pinch of smoothness, creating a tandem effect that gives every space and character a rich feeling.

Hollowell’s color palate compliments that heavier feeling of the artwork, coming in hot with the really shadowy darker tones. Mixed into the whole affair though are tons of very vibrant out there splashes that highlight the fantastical elements in play, chiefly the heroes and villains with their big costumes. Scenes with Otto and Hammer are really dark, heavy, and stark. While the scenes with the heroes instantly take on a lighter, brighter, but still weighty appearance.

Each shift is natural and feels so right as it happens.

Color and power are key elements in all the visuals, the lettering included. Lanham has a lot of fun with the really colorful and in-your-face SFX, as well as throwing those wonderful bits of red font as emphasizes that I just love. Big bulky bubbles that ratchet up the volume and emotion right alongside the more standard ones that create that perfect baseline volume.

Spider-Punk: Arms Race #2 is now available from Marvel Comics.