You already know what it is — Amazing Spider-Man #1 is the start of more web-slinging adventures with Marvel’s most popular hero.
Even as someone who is decidedly not a Spidey completist, I could tell you Amazing Spider-Man #1 begins the same way most Spider-Man number ones do: Peter Parker is down on his luck in some way after recent events, then potentially comes upon a rare windfall of luck, but then —uh oh!— drama materializes! This means it really comes down to the details of the thing; variation is what keeps these characters fresh after decades of history. So what’s so different about this new Spidey run?
Honestly, I’m not really sure. The most notable thing is Mary Jane’s absence —she’s a little busy these days— but even then, I don’t think that’s necessarily a novel concept for a Spidey story anymore. It’s hard to really pinpoint what writer Joe Kelly is going for here, because Amazing Spider-Man #1 is sort of boilerplate Spidey based on this first issue. (Which, to many after the maligned Zeb Wells run, is probably a welcome development.) But therein lies the problem with modern Spidey comics. With such a well-trodden character, what can you do with him anymore? When people take risks, they’re hated, but when they don’t divert too much from the formula, they’re still hated. Writing Spider-Man comics is really not an enviable position. It’s arguably masochistic, even. But good luck, Joe Kelly…!
In any event, the art of Amazing Spider-Man #1 is fantastic. Pepe Larraz is inarguably a superstar-level artist at Marvel now, and his work here proves it. Every page pops with vitality and motion, even the smaller scenes without punching and thwipping. His art is the kind that’s so good that it makes me want to read a series I’d perhaps lack interest in otherwise, which is high praise. Larraz is perfectly colored by Marte Gracia —another favorite— as well, but that’s not a surprise given their collaborative history. Letterer Joe Caramagna also deserves a shout-out; there are some fun flourishes with the rendering of text throughout the issue. Lettering often seems like a thankless job in comics, but you alway remember the really good lettering work when you see it.
In all, Amazing Spider-Man #1 doesn’t necessarily offer anything new or groundbreaking, but the overall package is so well-prepared that it will likely be enough for fans of the web-head. There is something to be said for stability.
Amazing Spider-Man #1
5.99
Credits
- Writer: Joe Kelly
- Artists: Pepe Larraz, John Romita Jr. & Scott Hanna (backup story)
- Color Artist: Marte Gracia, Marcio Menyz (backup story)
- Letterer: VC's Joe Caramagna
- Cover Artists: Pepe Larraz & Marte Gracia
Credits (cont)
- Editor: Nick Lowe
- Publisher: Marvel Entertainment
