Deron Generally
Deron Generally
Peter Parker The Amazing Shutterbug #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Marc Bernardin
Art by Rafael De Latorre and Ron Lim
Inks by Scott Hanna
Colors by Jim Campbell
Letters by Ariana Maher
The Rundown: The world’s unluckiest man Peter Parker will find his life and circumstances changed in some interesting ways.
Years ago, Peter Parker was on a field trip where he almost got bitten by a spider, but the Parker luck and Flash Thompson prevented that from happening. Instead, Peter graduates from high school and still deals with being bullied. At least he can still turn to his Aunt May and Uncle Ben for help. Once he reaches college, he begins to lead a different life as a scientist and his experiment in drone technology helps him meet a new friend, Carolyn Trainer. After spotting Hyperion in the skies over the city, he sends his drone to follow and tragedy strikes someone close to him in the heat of the attack.
In the aftermath, Peter becomes a reporter using his drones to document the adventures of Hyperion and the other heroes of New York. When a breakout from the Negative Zone threatens the city, Peter documents it, but a series of events occur that will change his life in ways he couldn’t imagine and just might give him the purpose he’s been seeking.
The Story: Bernardin takes the classic Peter Parker origin story and tweaks it to give the character a new set of circumstances in this new world. The changes are interesting, but there really isn’t anything innovative about the story itself. It takes a lot of story beats from What If style tales, but it doesn’t go any deeper. There is the hint of conflict between Hyperion and Peter that was rife for exploration, but the story never takes the chance to go there with Peter emotionally. I read it hoping that something would happen to make it worth the read and besides a couple of interesting character moments that never get explored, the story felt weak and unnecessary. Ultimately, it’s a What If story that plays it safe.
The Art: Both De Latorre and Lim do great visual work with the story, but there isn’t enough story worth exploring so the art never gets the opportunity to engage the reader.
Peter Parker The Amazing Shutterbug #1
