Well, as you all know, Spider-Man is my favorite superhero AND character. My favorite stories were from the late 80's to the mid-2000's. I, like a lot of people, did not approve of Brand New Day and dropped off comics for awhile. I came back in during Character Assassination, and have been reading since. Dan Slott's Big Time status quo in the beginning I liked. So, Spider-Island is meant to be the big changer-upper of this status quo. The idea I like, but I've giving the event "alright" reviews, due to it's goofy undertone way too cartoony art. So, how does this issue fair? Read on.
The plot continues with the next stage of the spider disease....TURNING INTO ACTUAL SPIDERS! Chaos, as the mayor has been infected as Spidey struggles with what to do.
I love giant insect things, especially spiders. (I really want to see Kingdom of the Spiders.) So this issue was really enjoyable, some really awesome splash pages with the New Yorkers-turned spiders. It's just really cool.
The Queen is a good pick for this, with even a reference to her past encounter with Spidey and Cap. (Fortunately, I have that two-parter.) She gets a generic sob story in the middle, I would have liked something more original.
This issue lines up with the latest issue of Venom. I've never seen something that ties-in so close. There's actual reused scenes, for the people that didn't pick up Venom. Still, it feels too rushed, with only a one panel fight.
This issue succeeds in actually making this event feel an armagaeddon. Indeed, Spidey's portrayal here is spot-on, even he's feeling a sense of doom. JJJ continues to be his most annoying incarnation yet, and his followers are just blind. This guy seriously needs to be impeached when this is over, if he isn't, I will question logic.
As I've said in past reviews, I don't like the art. It's too cartoony, and makes this event hard to take serious. It only works on making the spiders look menacing, otherwise, everyone else looks.....weird. (In the Queen's flashback with Spidey and Cap, the ladder looks plain strange, you will be staring at him for some moments.) The cover showcases JJJ slinging, a twist of things.
In closing, this issue is the best in this event yet. A true sense of doom, though the art needs serious work. Still, to see JJJ and Spidey shooting webs together is worth the price of admission alone. Mary Jane right now still doesn't contribute anything though.
8/10.
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