Amazing Spider-Man #515-518 Talkback (Spoilers)

[Spider-Man]

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #515

http://comics.toonzone.net/solicitations/2004-12/marvel/t-amazingspiderman515.jpg

Written by: J. Michael Straczynski
Penciled by: Mike Deodato, Jr. & Mark Brooks
Cover by: Gary Frank

"Skin Deep" Part 1 of 4. When a former classmate of Peter Parker botches an ambitious scientific experiment, it's Peter Parker who just might pay the ultimate price, and learn a valuable lesson about great power and great responsibility…Sound familiar? Don’t bet on it!

Comments? What are your thoughts?

[Fett One]

So far this sounds interesting. I was shocked to see that they actually used author notes and that they are referencing a comic that hasn't even come out yet. That kind of ruins the moment when Spidey finally tells the team his identity, since we now know he will tell them.

One last thing, when did he get a car? I thought the spider mobile was the closest thing to a car he has ever owned.

[KuwabaraTheMan]

Good start to a new story arc. JMS and Deodato Jr. continue to do great things with Spider-Man. The flashbacks blended in great with the current story, solid effort here, and looks to be another good arc.

[Donald Duck 12]

So who's the high school friend? My bet's on Flash, Liz is the only other named person in his school. And I suppose Betty would count too. Anyways, looks interesting.

[Spider-Man]

I'll add more detailed thoughts later but this issue wasn't too bad.It wasn't anything special but it does have potential to become an interesting story down the road. The artwork was really good especially that montage page.

And this is an interesting development with Peter and the New Avengers. I may have to keep reading that book afterall. I'll add more thoughts down the road hopefully.

[Chosen Raven]

It kinda bugs me that this story takes place so far in the future( New Avengers #2 hasn't even arrived in the mail yet, to say nothing of #3), but otherwise this was a pretty interesting read. Something tells me it's going to be a "what if the nerd given super powers went a different path" story. Which is fine by me.

[Reed Richards]

i liked the cover to this issue. best ive seen in years

[Chad Bonin]

Very underwhelming.

Probably just because it's coming after "Sins Past"; I hopped on to Batman for "Hush", only to drop it after the first issue of "Broken City". I hate to say it, but I'll probably drop Amazing Spider-Man after the first issue of "Skin Deep".

But at least the cover was funny.

[Spider-Man]

This issue didn't seem all that special to me. It all seemed rather mediocre. I did like Brook's work on the flashback material. It seems like they are trying to connect the flashbacks to the Marvel Age Spider-Man titles which work fine with me. It makes sense. The script just didn't seem to jump out at me that much. I don't see any surprised coming from this story at all.

For the interested Marvel has the entire issue of #516 online:

http://milehighcomics.com/firstlook/marvel/amazspid516/cvrpage.html

[Spider-Man]

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #516

http://comics.toonzone.net/solicitations/2005-01/marvel/t-amazingspiderman516.jpg

Written by: J. Michael Straczynski
Pencils & Cover by: Mike Deodato

"Skin Deep" Part 2 of 4. Another pulse-pounding issue of ASM done in the stupendous Straczynski style! Peter must confront a foe who—like himself—was given amazing powers during a science experiment gone awry. But why does this adversary blame Peter for the mishap in the laboratory — and just how far will he take his quest for vengeance?

Comments?

[Fett One]

I liked that flash back scene with Uncle Ben at the house. I also liked the way this ended. It'll be interesting to see how he manages to get out of this one since he can't let on that he's Spiderman.

[Reed Richards]

so will this clown meet the molten man, who also went insane but then later got cleared up in the head?

[Chosen Raven]

The flashback of Uncle Ben was interesting, but I hope we've seen the last of the flashbacks. They've taken up a large part of the story so far. We need to get back to current events.

[Chad Bonin]

I almost didn't pick this up, but Mary Jane in underwear made me. I can't be known as the guy who turned down picking up a comic with Mary Jane getting dressed.

... kinda hated how, at the time, the news was subtley dissing on DC Comics. Very un-schway to diss on the Distinguished Competition.

And Uncle Ben... I swear, that's the greatest character that had the least amount of non-flashback activity.

[RAINMAN]

MJ in underwear? I would like to see that image.:anime:

[Spider-Man]

The flashback of Uncle Ben was interesting, but I hope we've seen the last of the flashbacks. They've taken up a large part of the story so far. We need to get back to current events. Mark Brooksis credited on art for the remainder of the art according to the solicitations I went through. I actually like the idea of the flashbacks. But I'm really not getting into this story-arc like I thought I would. I like the idea of visiting Peter's past more but introducing a new character out of left field doesn't work. Then again having JMS revisiting classic characters doesn't seem to work either.

[Spider-Man]

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #517

http://comics.toonzone.net/solicitations/2005-02/marvel/t-amazingspiderman517.jpg

Written by: J. Michael Straczynski
Penciled by: Mike Deodato & Mark Brooks
Cover by: Gary Frank "Skin Deep" Part 3 of 4.

A tale so mighty it required two of Marvel’s most powerful pencilers to bring it to you! Featuring the astonishing duo of Mike Deodato and Mark Brooks penciling a tale penned by the sensational J. Michael Straczynski. When a former classmate of Peter Parker’s is caught in a horrific experiment, he blames Peter for the resulting transformation… But is Peter to blame? And how will Peter react when someone targets his personal life instead of Spider-Man’s life, for a change?

Comments? What are your thoughts?

[Fett One]

I liked the reference to the second movie. I wasn't expecting to see that scene at the theater get acted out in the comics. Overall this was a decent issue.

[Chad Bonin]

Gotta admit, Straczynski knows how to do the funny. MJ's attire, the "big chinned usher", the SUV, and Jonah The Conscience Fairy.

Also, nice use of seeing what's on the TV and what Charlie thinks is on the TV.

[Chosen Raven]

I enjoyed this issue. I did. The flashback blended well with the story this time. We also got to learn more about Charlie's powers(I really hope his official super-villain name doesn't turn out to be The Vibrator...I can't believe I said that). His tussle with Spider-Man added some much needed action too the story as well. And, call me crazy, but Fairy Jonah gave me a chuckle, as did the Spider-Man 2 reference. Then MJ showed up, and well....that was nice.

It's been awhile since I enjoyed Amazing so much.

[Spider-Man]

This story has been good but not great. It's a step up from the last arc but the artwork is starting to get to me. I'm finding myself really disliking Mike Deodato artwork here. It's not bad but I don't think it really fits well with the character. I am looking forward to next month's issue. I'm interested to see how the face off between Spidey and Charlie.

[Spider-Man]

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #518

http://comics.toonzone.net/solicitations/2005-03/marvel/t-amazingspiderman518.jpg (http://comics.toonzone.net/solicitations/2005-03/marvel/amazingspiderman518.jpg)

Written by: J. Michael Straczynski
Penciled by: Mike Deodato & Mark Brooks
Cover by: Joe Jusko

"Skin Deep" Conclusion! Throughout the years, there’s always been one place that Peter Parker could turn to seek refuge from the storm — no matter how vicious life became, he’s always had Aunt May’s home in Queens. Until now, that is. In this remarkable issue, Peter’s life is changed forever.

Comments? What are your thoughts?

[Spider-Man]

Color me surprised. I had only a bit of interest in storyline but this final part really nailed it home plus ties nicely into Spidey's role in New Avengers. What I liked was how Brooks and Deodato brought their art together -- literally! It was a great touch to bring the two styles together and bridge the flashbacks and the present reality. This wasn't an amazing story by any means but it was a fun read. It doesn't make up for "Sins Past" but at least JMS is on the right track again.

[KuwabaraTheMan]

I thought this was a great issue, especially the ending of it. The flashbacks were great as well. Looking forward to the next story arc, now.

[the panther]

The flashbacks were really nice, and Peter's dream was very funny, with the "past" and "present" art in it. Overall, it was a really good issue, and tied-up the story nicely. But with the fire and the house... I was expecting that to happen, somehow, but it still managed to shock me.

:D

[Spider-Man]

I was glad they brought Brooks and Deodato into the same panels to combine the two seperate elemants. I remember older comics when trying the same thing would get one artist to try and essentially copy another's artwork and it didn't work all the time. It works perfectly together here. It brings the two rather jarring styles together and it works! I know Marvel was just trying to tie the flashback artwork into the Marvel Age books but they succeed in making it work for the story too.

[Fett One]

This was a good ending to the story. It had some nice fight scenes and it had an interesting way for Spidey to defeat Charley.

[Chosen Raven]

Now this was a good conclusion. The fight with Charlie was good(the best part being Spider-Man slamming those two cars into him), there was some good interaction between Stark and Peter, and the art looked great aswell(Spidey looked just plain cool in a few of those panels). It also had a nice set-up for Peter and his family moving into the New Avengers HQ.

I definitely enjoyed this issue, but still, JMS is going to have to make alot of good issues to make-up for "Sins Past".

[PaQ]

I dunno, the art was good, but I really never ended up liking this storyarc. It was interesting having Peter's "friend" from highschool end up being the focus and villain for this arc and the fact that it was a clever way to tie up the need for Peter and co. to need a new living area. Hopefully that won't be the last we see of Charlie, it would be nice to see new villains introduced every now and then, keep things fresh.

[Chad Bonin]

The best parts of this arc were the Marvel Age/Adventures flashbacks and the New Avenger ties.

Other than that, I could have skipped it and only read Sins and the next arc.

[Spider-Man]

I definitely enjoyed this issue, but still, JMS is going to have to make alot of good issues to make-up for "Sins Past". I thought the fight scene was handled pretty well too. It's been awhile since we've seen something that cool in this book. While JMS has a long way to go to make sure for "Sins Past" this is a start. I hope the new arc turns out to be a fine read if not better than this one.