Review: ‘Amazing Spider-Man’ #12 Takes An Unexpected Path
by Tony Thornley
There’s a new Spider-Man in town, and all the other spiders need to know what on Earth he’s doing. It’s all part of a much bigger picture in Marvel’s Amazing Spider-Man #12.
Joe Kelly, Ed McGuinness, Cliff Rathburn, Marcio Menyz, Erick Arciniega, and Joe Caramagna kick off the beginning of the new Spider-Man’s adventures.
Peter Parker is missing. Ben Reilly has assumed his civilian life, but Norman Osborn is the new Amazing Spider-Man! Now Norman needs to balance Oscorp and taking up Peter’s mantle. However, Miles Morales has concerns about his methods, and leads the rest of the Web Warriors to confront this brutal new Spidey.
This volume continues to surprise me in good ways. Norman as the stand-in Spidey was an interesting surprise last issue, and this issue continues to progress that. After Zeb Wells’ volume of Amazing turned Peter and Norman’s relationship on its head, this volume continues to build on that. I love the idea that- after Peter showed faith in him- Norman is returning the favor by trying to protect the city and honor his legacy. It’s such an interesting twist on the Parker-Osborn dynamic that I hope continues long term.
I’ve always liked McGuinness, but this issue is the best- and most dynamic- his art has looked in a very long time. His montage early in the issue showing Norman balancing his new double life is extremely engaging. The fight between Spiders at the end of the issue is exciting, fluid, and has some great figure work. McGuinness depicts each hero completely differently, both in their body type/build and in how they move.
Menyz and Arciniega’s colors are bright, but they add shadows and overtones to create specific moods. It helps show Norman’s emotional state as he moves through this new normal. The touch of a slightly red color to his Spidey lenses also weirdly does so much to show how different of a Spider-Man he is.
Caramagna continues to show why he’s been the go-to guy for lettering Spider-Man. His hand-writing style font for Norman’s captions does a lot of heavy lifting for conveying how the character is changing. It’s a great example of how a letterer can carry and improve an issue in small ways that many readers wouldn’t notice.
Amazing Spider-Man #12 is available now from Marvel Comics.
Overview
I’m continuing to love how the creative team is building this story. It’s the best Amazing Spider-Man has been in a very long time, and I hope that continues.
