With the big Spider-Verse event over and done with it’s time to get back to the status quo that Dan Slott started Amazing Spider-Man #1 with, which is namely love triangles, Parker luck and Parker Industries. Essentially this issue brings us back to normal with a slight Spider-Verse hangover, but is it good?
Amazing Spider-Man #16 (Marvel Comics)
Dan Slott and Christos N. Gage share writing duties on this issue with art by Humberto Ramos, so it really is like we’re back to pre Spider-Verse days. Anyone wanting more Spider-Verse should note the only taste of the event you’ll get is Spidey being a bit slow since losing some life force (can you ever get it back?). The issue opens with Spider-Man fighting Iguana but also taking a phone call from Aunt May and Anna Maria. It’s a quick way to give us action, catch us up on what’s going on, and even have Spidey reflect on his powers being weakened.
Whoa so Tony Stark is a competitor to Apple? I wonder what his Stark Watch will look like.
As far as setting up the story, this issue does a good job. I can’t say it’s got any revelations inside, especially if you were reading prior to Spider-Verse, as it’s really just refreshing us on where we were before. This includes Black Cat and her new role as crime boss, but heck we get a new costume for her so that’s a plus. At least I think it’s new, although it’s not much of a revamp as it only adds some color to her shoulders. The backup does do a good job however, setting up the fact that Black Cat is taking her life back and doesn’t care how she does it. In a sense it’s similar to Silk, albeit in a villainous way over Silk’s innocent, do-gooder way. This issue goes a long way to adding to her thought process, but considering how little came before it that’s not saying a lot.
Seriously that’s rude.
The art by Humberto Ramos continues to do its cel-shaded-yet-detailed thing. I can’t say I enjoy his Black Cat costume change, however slight it is, because it doesn’t really make much sense. When does yellow work for a thief? Still, his action is always fluid and fun to look at and once again delivers a fun and wiry action sequence for Spider-Man to open the book.
Interesting new costume.
That’s pretty funny.
Is It Good?
Overall this is a good recap book for anyone who needs it featuring a great opening fight sequence with a throwaway villain. All in all a decent affair but not required reading.
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