Creative Team – Joe Kelly, Kev Walker, Cam Smith, Wade Von Grawbadger, Elisabetta D’Amico, Chris Sotomayor, VC’s Joe Caramagna
Published by Marvel Comics
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The Story
Bringing the tragic story of Spider-Man in the Age of Revelation to an end, Joe Kelly hits us in all of the feelings with Radioactive Spider-Man #3. In the last issue, Aunt May, who’s now a mutant, has no control over her mutation. When she’s under stress, she transforms into a bloodthirsty monster who will stop at nothing to cause damage wherever she pleases. While this is unfortunate, it’s even more unfortunate that this can’t be stopped. Peter wants to keep her alive and safe, but there’s problems even he cannot contain. With his Spider-Friends showing up, Gwen and Miles, he doesn’t have to face the May-Monster alone with Cecilia.
It seems Peter is the only one who can’t see the answer to the problem, or doesn’t want to. Miles is more than pushy with Peter, telling him that the May he knows and loves is gone. All that’s left is this monster who has already killed people Peter cares about. After Peter has lost so much in his life and in the Age of Revelation, he can’t fathom losing May too. But maybe Miles is right, maybe she is gone.
The Writing
From beginning to end of Radioactive Spider-Man, Joe Kelly has taken you on an emotional thrill ride that you just don’t want to get off of. In all of X-Men: The Age of Revelation, Radioactive Spider-Man has to be the most tragic story, perfectly summing up exactly what damage Doug Ramsey has caused world wide.
Throughout Radioactive Spider-Man, we see all of the trauma Peter has endured. With his mutation, with the X-Virus constantly causing him trouble, with losing MJ and so many more, and now with him having to make the hardest choice he’s ever had to make. Losing the last bit of his family is clearly something that haunts him, and he wants to save May and keep her safe. Is it selfish? I don’t know. Is it fair? Absolutely not.
Peter has lost enough, so him wanting to preserve the one thing he has left is understandable. There big feelings, heightened heart rates, and relatability all comes from Joe Kelly’s excellent writing, making just three issues of a comic series pack a serious punch.
The Art
The creative team is absolutely stacked for Radioactive Spider-Man #3, so it’s guaranteed it’ll be very high in quality for the artwork. That proves true as soon as you turn to the first page that’s full of emotion from the characters, perfectly portrayed in the panels. With excellently detailed panels, and pages that’ll send a shiver up your spine from the horror aspect of Aunt May, your eyes won’t leave the comic until the very end.
Along with the excellent drawings is the fantastic color work that give so much depth to the pages, and hammers in the horror vibe of the May-Monster. Bringing the perfect flow of dialogue, the lettering work leaves little to the imagination as you can feel the tone of the characters through the words. All together, the artists truly outdid themselves in Radioactive Spider-Man #3, all thanks to Kev Walker, Cam Smith, Wade Von Grawbadger, Elisabetta D’Amico, Chris Sotomayor, and Joe Caramagna.
Final Thoughts
Radioactive Spider-Man #3 was emotional, action-packed, thrilling, and tragic in the best way. Joe Kelly and the creative team left their stamp in the Age of Revelation in a huge way. This is a must have on anyone’s pull list.
Overall Grade – 10/10
Let me know what you thought of Radioactive Spider-Man #3 in the comments!
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This review was written by Megan from the Vigilante Vibes Podcast! If you liked my review, be sure to check out my other reviews! Let me know what you think of Radioactive Spider-Man #3, or tell me what comics you’d recommend me trying out! Find me on my socials, and check out my Marvel podcast, Vigilante Vibes, by clicking here!
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