Review: ‘Amazing Spider-Man’ #3 Shows Its Hand (And Is Better For It)

A lot of ongoing comics will drag out mysteries at the core of their story. Amazing Spider-Man #3 gives us most of the picture, and it really makes the issue sing.

Joe Kelly, Pepe Larraz, Marte Gracia and Joe Caramagna continue their epic in the making.

Peter Parker is still struggling with the poisoning that’s caused him to hallucinate and lose time. But now he knows who’s responsible- his cloned semi-daughter Itsy-Bitsy, who he thought was dead. That revelation may save Peter, but it also may lead him directly into the path of one of his greatest foes, the Hobgoblin.

I’m really impressed by how much Kelly fit into this issue without it feeling overstuffed. The fight with Itsy-Bitsy drove the pace of the issue, before shifting into Peter’s personal life. Aunt May is worried about him, Shay is scared of the Spider-stuff starting to invade her life, and Norman is doing his best to be supportive while barely holding it together. This is an issue that remembers how much Spidey’s supporting cast makes him better, and Kelly uses that all to drive the issue alongside, right into the hands of the Hobgoblin.

By writing in the reveals that he does, the plot is driven forward. The pacing has momentum, and it makes sure that the story doesn’t drag out. It’s refreshing after so many stories drag out all their reveals.

The story does have some downsides. How Kelly writes the flashbacks doesn’t feel right, pushing the idea of Peter being rebellious a little too far. A moment of Itsy-Bitsy seemingly revealing an Electra Complex towards Peter gave me some major ick as well.

I’m still enjoying Larraz’s art in the issue as well. His action is dynamic, but so is the quieter moments. Peter stumbling to May’s apartment feels like a gut punch, thanks to the point of view and character body language he uses. He also makes Peter incredibly expressive both in and out of costume.

Gracia’s colors are great, but he really needs to learn how to color Peter’s costume. The color art is great at drawing the eye, to action or other focal points. Where he falls short is in over-rendering the basics- making the webs feel like panels rather than just part of the mask. Overall though, it looks great, and he helps Larraz pop off the page.

In the end, the series is better for this issue, and I continue to be excited about where it’s going. 

Amazing Spider-Man #3 is available now from Marvel Comics.