Deron Generally
Deron Generally
Amazing Spider-Man #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Nick Spencer
Art by Ryan Ottley
Inks by Cliff Rathburn
Colors by Laura Martin
Letters by Joe Caramagna
The Parker luck returns in spades in this first issue with a new creative team. Peter is dealing with having a supervillain as a roommate, being praised by the Kingpin, trouble at the Bugle and an attack on his reputation. All of this coupled with an alien invasion that brings out everyone from the Defenders to the X-Men to fight. The only thing that Peter seems to be finding comfort in is his memories with Mary Jane. A relationship that he gave up in one of several previous arcs that are referenced in this first issue.
If Peter thought he could retreat back into being Spider-Man to hide from his personal issues, he was dead wrong. His luck seems to have spilled over onto his alter-ego as well with everyone he’s fighting with being angry at his presence. It’s interesting to see Peter have to deal with so much in such a short period of time. Right when readers were getting used to Parker finding a small measure of peace, this new arc takes away practically everything that had been built and that is both good and bad. Good in that Peter seems to thrive when dealing with his struggles. Bad when you think of how Peter’s life had been crafted by Dan Slott to find some measure of balance. This doesn’t completely negate everything Slott had done, but it does take away some of the things that became significant during his run.
Nick Spencer gives a great history lesson in the life of Peter Parker and Spider-Man in this first issue and it is a story that flows really well. Spencer manages to find a constant that has been missing from Peter’s life and make that a focal point for where the character feels he needs to go. It establishes that there is something special in that relationship and raises the stakes for Peter to find something bigger to fight for. The story also has some pretty good twists, especially when the Parker luck is in full swing (no pun intended).
Ryan Ottley’s art is great. There are definitely some stand out pages that showcase the artist’s ability to create dynamic action. There are a series of pages in the beginning of the issue that are just fun to look at and are bookended by some awesome, intimate character moments and expressions.
