THE AMAZING
SPIDER-MAN
ISSUE 008
Here we are, the exciting conclusion to last issues nail biting Cliffhanger, and it did NOT disappoint. Spidey is busting a nut trying to fight off Dr. Minerva, the big ugly alien from last issue. Meanwhile Ms. Marvel (Kamala) is stood in shock. But Spidey makes her feel better and brings her back to Earth, in a way that only he could. As a Hero who kind of stumbled into the whole Superhero gig he knows how hard it can be to face impossible odds, so he uses Kamala's fascination with Ms. Marvel to get her to join the fight, and she is over the moon. I can really feel the character depth here, even though she is not a main character for this issue. Although Kamala is a bit too over excited in wanting to sue more Spider-Man/Ms Marvel team up manoeuvres, hopefully in future Spidey will teach her more self control, I wouldn't be such a bad thing to give Peter a Sidekick to take on some of the Superhero load. Meanwhile it appears one of the Henchmen has gotten cold feet about the job seeing as Spider-man has showed up, thankfully Spidey and Ms Marvel make off with the weird alien cocoon, so all in all it was a successful fight.
First Page, Second Page & Third Page
Of course until the big ugly alien Minerva comes out of nowhere and starts to fight Ms. Marvel. Kamala still has lot to learn, but I feel she is getting there slowly. Either way they are distracted by the cocoon hatching. But we are then whisked away to the fact channel where Cindy is working...and getting insulted for her style as "Silk". In all honesty it feels that Slott may be trying too hard to make Silk a thing.. I am not sure if that makes sense. I can't see Silk having as much of an affect on The Fact Channel as Spider-Man did with The Daily Bugle, strictly because it has all been done.
Fourth Page & Fifth Page
I have never seen a baby hatch before, especially from a cocoon...I am sure it makes sense somewhere in the Marvel Universe...but I am ignorant to what may be obvious to others. Anyway, Kamala does a great job protecting the baby, whilst Spidey then tries to take down Dr. Minerva...to no avail. As usual he gets his ass handed to him.
Sixth Page & Seventh Page
Kamala escapes with the baby, but is quickly stopped by the henchmen. I really do love how much effort Kamala is putting in to being a hero, she's a bit unorthodox, but she is going to learn eventually. She is saved by the Henchmen who was seemingly frightened of Spider-Man, he appears to be different to hoe the villains are normally portrayed...he's apologetic and well - not cruel.
Eighth Page & Ninth Page
Spidey is still fighting Minerva, so his mind isn't exactly working as fast as it normally does...Kamala and the Henchman come up with a very interesting question as to why Minerva was using Human Henchmen fro an alien job if she has such a vast army? Then Spideys brain finally kicks into gear and he realises that the Kree have no idea that Minerva is on Earth. He then pretends to call the Avenegrs to transmit a message to the Kree about Minerva on Earth. Minerva then quickly scarpers and leaves Spider-Man, Ms. Marvel, the Henchman , and the baby alone. Once again Spidey proves that sometimes telling white lies is not a bad thing, especially to big ugly aliens.
Tenth Page & Eleventh Page
Meanwhile in the Diamond District, Silk is showing off her new and improved suit. I think I like how it looks, sadly I think she may be being ever so slightly obvious with the sudden costume change, maybe her boss will figure it out and they'll be friends? I don't know but Cindy was not exactly discreet with her costume change. At the St Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Spidey and Kamala have given the baby in to be checked over and then probably put into foster care. Spider-Man then pretty much makes Kamala's day by giving her some advice about getting back to school, and how she is doing a good job as a hero so far. He will be a great mentor to her if they do have more team ups.
Thirteenth Page & Fourteenth Page
With Kamala running off back to school, Spidey turns to the Henchmean and recognises him. It is a reference to the Spider-Man .1 series were he had fought him as "Clash". Spidey then hands out a sneaky Parker Industries Business Card. This is obviously Peter trying to finally rehabilitate at least one villain. It's good to see that Peter is finally doing some work at Parker Industries. I hate to say it but Anna Maria is right. He does need to focus.
My Overall View
This was an AMAZING issue. It rounded off last issues cliffhanger perfectly, and it also gave us a fantastic look into Spider-Verse. See I don't review the Edge of Spider-Verse series strictly because I find it so exciting I'd rather people actually go out and buy it. Although I will say I loved seeing May Day Parker again, but I am not a fan of her Parents fate. I just hope that it is not the main Spider-Girl Universe...ANYWAY. This was a great issue for tying in to the rest of the Spider-Man story arc. I can't wait to see what the next story arc is before the whole of Spider-verse commences this month. I am really loving what Slott is doing, at first, as all of you who read my Superior Spider-Man reviews will know, I thought that Slott was going to ruin Spider-Man. Now I think that he definitely is a genius.