Amazing Spider-Man #18 – It’s a Goblin Party!

Amazing Spider-Man #18:

Norman Osborn has had one heck of an evolution in the Marvel Universe. Once Spider-Man’s greatest foe, Norman has been donning Peter’s costume while he’s away getting stronger in an effort to come back and defeat Hellgate.

And while Norman has had his own take on the iconic Spidey and his ways of fighting crime, the suit, the meaning and Peter have all changed him for the better.

Creative Team:

WRITER: Joe Kelly

Artist: John Romita Jr.

Inker: Scott Hanna

Letters: VC’s Joe Caramagna

Publisher: MARVEL COMICS

The Art:

John Romita Jr. is back and that means an icon takes the reins on the art for this heart-pumping issue.

It’s especially poignant as we have a special meeting of the minds here between Norman and JJJ, as Norman has nowhere else to turn after Tombstone “sicked” Plague RX on him and now he’s feeling the pain he once dished out as Spidey.

An icon drawing Spider-Man icons … gives me chills. But I digress.

Meanwhile, past, present and possibly future Goblins are all being hunted and yes … that includes Norman. No one draws Goblins like him and the art matches his prowess and his provenance.

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The Writing:

While JR adds the grit and the action, Joe Kelly adds the heart. Joe is quickly ascending to the Mt Rushmore of Spider-Man scribes and you can feel his passion for the icon in his dialogue between Norman and J. Jonah.

Like Superman before him, Peter Parker believes in the good in people and that they can be better, Jonah says.

It’s truly a storyline and a character we NEED today.

“We’re better men for knowing him,” Jonah tells Norman, who instantly agrees. And I believe we’re all better people for knowing Peter, or Clark or sometimes Bruce. These heroes give us hope and give humanity hope.

And that’s what Joe’s writing does for me and for the character.

Overall Grade: 10/10

This issue is a clinic in character development. Kelly and Romita pair together yet again like a fine wine and the best cut of filet. The dialogue between Norman and JJJ is one that I’ll never forget and still gives me goosebumps just thinking about!