A different perspective: this is written like a Batman or X-men comic from the 80s: numerous subplots moving forward each and every issue, sometimes with only a page or two dedicated to one sub plot each issue. Less written for the trade and more of a slow burn. I actually think this may read worse in a trade....
Hex's Profile
Joined: March 30, 2021
About Me: Currently reading through Post-Crisis Batman. Feel free to follow along. I am slowly editing a reading order I found so changes have been and will be made over time to it.
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I think this is the weakest issue of this run. Not to say it's bad, it's still enjoyable read, but not on level of previous issues. Since it is mostly fighting.
I do like how well Kelly wrote Peter here. He seems to have a good grasp on his voice.
But JRJR was a disappointment. The blueprint is still there, I love how his makes the story move from panel to panel. It lacks foc
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Amazing Spider-Man #7
THE HELLGATE IS OPEN! Spider-Man is fighting for his life - literally - as he tries to keep Hellgate from destroying Manhattan. But what does this strange new foe want? And can Peter figure it out before his day gets a whole lot worse?!
The art brings the issue down. Story is great. More allusions to May's deteriorating health that Peter is too oblivious or preoccupied to notice. The colorist JRJR has really saved a lot of his work so they will continue to get compliments from me. Hellgate's design sucks though.
Amazing Spider-Man #6
HELLGATE'S OPENING...PUNCH!
PETER PARKER's life has been worse. He's got a steady job. BLACK CAT is giving him the time of day again. As SPIDER-MAN, Peter's taken some super-powered punches. But he's never caught the kind of HELL that's in store for him next.
Rated T
At least Ultimate Spiderman is interesting... I knew this was basically a comic previewing upcoming spiderman stories. It's all crap though.
Ultimate Spiderman and Superior Spiderman are good, but they have not much to do with what's in here. I hate Zebs Wells Peter Parker, it's the worst take on the character that has ever been in comics, I hate what's happened to Ben Reilly, and now
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Web of Spider-Man #1
2024 is primed to be one of the biggest years in Spider-History and you've only seen the tip of the iceberg! In the pages of this one-shot, we're going to lay out some of the biggest upcoming Spider-Stories and characters in the Spider-Verse through the beginning of 2025, and you aren't going to want to miss this!
Rated T
There's a new sheriff in town. By that I mean a new top mobster who has taken over, much to the surprise of the other crime lords and Batman, who learns about by threatening a scared punk, way to stay on top of things Bruce.
Also, Fraction writes a diatribe about the death of the daily newspaper industry. I have news for him, daily newspapers started dying after WW2. Most big cities wer
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Batman #4
As Bruce Wayne investigates the Crown of Storms, Batman pursues Anarky and discovers a criminal conspiracy hiding in plain sight that will change the game for crime and criminals in Gotham City...and the world!
Classic Claremont, cockrum, Byrne, smith, romita jr, silvestri, Leonardi X-men. Pretty much all of that up to Jim Lee.
Was asking Quinn because they don't really seem to be a fan of ANYTHING. But same George. Those were some great years with consistent (though slow and not for everyone) writing and stellar art.
Batman read like what I hate most. Boring low rent Tom King. We just pick up new storylines because we feel like focusing on those at this time. Gone is the Minotaur. The joker. The ninjas. All gone. Instead we get Alan Scott who not long ago was trolling for ass at docks. And coffee chats with Batman. I almost fell asleep 3 times reading this book.
Poison ivy is mayor ? She’s kill
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Batman #8
A hero. A villain. A reporter. Three old men, on one night in Gotham, each have encounters that will reverberate across their city forever. Series writer Matt Fraction is joined by sensational guest artist Ryan Sook for an unforgettable new chapter of the Caped Crusader’s ongoing story.
Ivy being mayor is too far fetched in GOTHAM but Lex Luthor was the PRESIDENT. Okay.
Did I miss something? The entire Joker thing from last issue was forgotten. Now we have Poison Ivy is mayor and Vandal Savage is still commissioner. I am serious, when did Ivy become mayor? What kind of buildup went into that?
Something like a major super villain becoming mayor should be talked about. Bruce/Batman not being able to stop that goes to show just ineffective he is. The vill
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Batman #8
A hero. A villain. A reporter. Three old men, on one night in Gotham, each have encounters that will reverberate across their city forever. Series writer Matt Fraction is joined by sensational guest artist Ryan Sook for an unforgettable new chapter of the Caped Crusader’s ongoing story.
Reading the widely acclaimed Poison Ivy series might shed some light on it. That's not exactly new to how comics work let alone how Batman/Gotham centric books have worked for decades. Not everything is exposited and vomited onto the page for everyone too lazy to read anything other than the mainline title. You may have to do a little more leg work *gasp*.
Why should I have to do any leg work? I am reading this story. If I have to read every Bat book that is published on a monthly basis, then it’s a bad move on dc’s part. The least the editor could do is post a footnote that states which issues Ivy was elected. They used to do that in the old days, which made the leg work easy. Telling readers they have to work harder to understand an issue is a poor business plan. Or I could be wrong.
Hi Dan, can you please fix a small issue with Spider-Man/Deadpool? Issue 8 has the wrong cover, writer/artist and synopsis. It was given all the info for Spider-Man 2099 #13. Thank you!
This was astounding. This could have had so much more importance to the history of Spider-Man and it's a shame nothing really came from it.
Spider-Man / Deadpool #5
• What the heck does this cover image mean?!
• Gotta grab this mag to find out, True Believers.
• PLUS! The truth about that weirdness at Parker Industries begins to be revealed!
Rated T+
I can't believe Aunt May still hasn't been told Peter is Spider-Man. That's not an issue with this story, it's editorial's fault but still ridiculous. This was a good wrap up to a fun story. Very reminiscent of older 80s and 90s storytelling. Small arc, not bearing a ton of weightiness to it. Can be read in a vacuum or as a part of the larger whole. I think Spider-Man works best like that.
Amazing Spider-Man #5
NO HOPE AGAINST THE HOBGOBLIN!
As HOBGOBLIN's assault tears SPIDER-MAN's mind (and limbs) apart, Kingsley unleashes his wrath on those nearest and dearest to Peter Parker. And this is a deadly race against time Spider-Man can't afford to lose - even as he risks losing his sanity to win!
Rated T
Larraz is amazing and the MVP here. Otherwise, this was really fine. Nothing groundbreaking, but enjoyable read.
Amazing Spider-Man #5
NO HOPE AGAINST THE HOBGOBLIN!
As HOBGOBLIN's assault tears SPIDER-MAN's mind (and limbs) apart, Kingsley unleashes his wrath on those nearest and dearest to Peter Parker. And this is a deadly race against time Spider-Man can't afford to lose - even as he risks losing his sanity to win!
Rated T
Solid writing and art all around. Would be more excited for what comes next if not for knowing JRJR is back. A lot of this first arc has been elevated by the incredible art. What happens when the writing doesn't have quality art to lean back on?
Amazing Spider-Man #5
NO HOPE AGAINST THE HOBGOBLIN!
As HOBGOBLIN's assault tears SPIDER-MAN's mind (and limbs) apart, Kingsley unleashes his wrath on those nearest and dearest to Peter Parker. And this is a deadly race against time Spider-Man can't afford to lose - even as he risks losing his sanity to win!
Rated T
I ended up liking the next issue, and the art while not nearly as good as Larraz was not bad for JRJR.
I'm having a blast reading this. Is it peak Spider-man? No. Is it better than more recent non Ultimate Spider-man? Absolutely.
Amazing Spider-Man #5
NO HOPE AGAINST THE HOBGOBLIN!
As HOBGOBLIN's assault tears SPIDER-MAN's mind (and limbs) apart, Kingsley unleashes his wrath on those nearest and dearest to Peter Parker. And this is a deadly race against time Spider-Man can't afford to lose - even as he risks losing his sanity to win!
Rated T
I'm enjoying this book a lot more than I thought I would. Big up Joe Kelly! Pepe Larraz is aa big portion of that enjoyment because he delivered absolutely gorgeous art. Kudos to Marte Gracia on colors!
Amazing Spider-Man #5
NO HOPE AGAINST THE HOBGOBLIN!
As HOBGOBLIN's assault tears SPIDER-MAN's mind (and limbs) apart, Kingsley unleashes his wrath on those nearest and dearest to Peter Parker. And this is a deadly race against time Spider-Man can't afford to lose - even as he risks losing his sanity to win!
Rated T
Absolute Superman Vol. 2: Son of the Demon
For five years, Superman has been on the run, hounded across our planet, and treated like a criminal. When the mysterious Omega Men finally catchup to him, they are determined to plead their case—only with his help and by unleashing the full scope of his terrifying power can they put an end to the Lazarus Corporation and its lord, the notorious Dem...
The potentially retconning flashbacks/drug induced hallucinations make me a little frustrated because that's not how I want Peter to have been with May and Ben but it's very realistic. I did very similar things as a kid and it's written with real weight. It doesn't feel artificial. Kelly is doing good work here.
Amazing Spider-Man #4
The cause of Spider-Man's and Rhino's rampages - and the mastermind behind it - is revealed!
Norman Osborn ain't the only GOBLIN back in Peter's so-called life!
RATED T
I liked this! The run still continues to be very solid and I remain interested what happens next! I've missed ASM being consistently good....
Amazing Spider-Man #3
PUMPKIN BOMB PROBLEMS!
Past and present collide sending Spider-Man spinning OUT OF CONTROL - just when an old foe obsessed with him gets the sword-stabbing jump on Peter and his main squeeze, Shay Marken!
Can the last remaining ally still in Spidey's corner, the GREEN GOBLIN, Norman Osborn, cure Peter before his entire life implodes?!
I cannot stress enough that the art in this arc is phenomenal. There are some incredibly well composed pages in this issue that blow me away. The writing is solid too. The plot is coming together, I like how this all feels genuinely planned out unlike a lot of arcs under Lowe's tenure. There were subtle hints towards the reveal in this issue about what exactly was the cause of Rhino's poisoning in more
Amazing Spider-Man #3
PUMPKIN BOMB PROBLEMS!
Past and present collide sending Spider-Man spinning OUT OF CONTROL - just when an old foe obsessed with him gets the sword-stabbing jump on Peter and his main squeeze, Shay Marken!
Can the last remaining ally still in Spidey's corner, the GREEN GOBLIN, Norman Osborn, cure Peter before his entire life implodes?!
I like that we're getting more exploration with Itsy Bitsy and the amazing dynamic between Peter and Norman. Also cool to have something of a mystery/ detective work. Nice when Spider-Man does Batman things and gets ginseng in trouble.
Amazing Spider-Man #3
PUMPKIN BOMB PROBLEMS!
Past and present collide sending Spider-Man spinning OUT OF CONTROL - just when an old foe obsessed with him gets the sword-stabbing jump on Peter and his main squeeze, Shay Marken!
Can the last remaining ally still in Spidey's corner, the GREEN GOBLIN, Norman Osborn, cure Peter before his entire life implodes?!
ASM: Writing is good. Art is bad. Nothing really... happens. Which is a cop out of a review but Spider-Man fights a guy and he disappears. That's it. That's the issue. Not even sure if he'll ever come back.
FCBD 2025: Amazing Spider-Man / Ultimate Universe #1
Joe Kelly and John Romita Jr. remind us who Peter Parker and SPIDER-MAN are!
Plus, an exclusive prologue to this summer's blockbuster ULTIMATE event from Deniz Camp, Cody Ziglar & Jonas Scharf!
Exclusive Original Material
RATED T
Nothing here begs me to keep reading, though nothing here is bad, either. Except JRjr's art.
FCBD 2025: Amazing Spider-Man / Ultimate Universe #1
Joe Kelly and John Romita Jr. remind us who Peter Parker and SPIDER-MAN are!
Plus, an exclusive prologue to this summer's blockbuster ULTIMATE event from Deniz Camp, Cody Ziglar & Jonas Scharf!
Exclusive Original Material
RATED T