The Amazing Spider-Man #23: Death Spiral Pt. 2

Peter is still struggling to rebuild his life after returning from space. Which causes people within his life to learn new but old things about him…

Creative Team

Joe Kelly (Writer), Ed McGuinness (Penciler/Cover Artist), Mark Farmer & Cliff Rathburn (Inkers), Marcio Menyz (Colorist/Cover Artist), VC’s Joe Caramagna (Letterer)

Lee Bermejo / Iban Coello & Jesus Aburtov / Taurin Clarke & Ivan Talavera / Mark Bagley & Dean White / Mike McKone & Morry Hollowell (Variant Cover Artists)

Sarah Spadaccini (Designer), Kaitlyn Lindtvedt (Assistant Editor), Tom Groneman (Associate Editor), Nick Lowe (Editor), C.B. Cebulski (Editor-in-Chief)

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Truth Hurts

Issue twenty-three of The Amazing Spider-Man (ASM) happens to also be part two of the Death Spiral story. This issue is a continuation of the ASM arc by Joe Kelly, who continues to “wow” me with every new issue that he releases! If you need to catch up on what is going on in the ASM storyline and the beginning of Death Spiral, please check out the links below for my reviews of them.

The Amazing Spider-Man #23, Credit Marvel Comics. Cover by Ed McGuinness & Marcio Menyz.

ASM twenty-three shows the reader a sporadic Peter who is happy that Aunt May is alright, but then remembers all of the other aspects of his life that still need to be fixed from his absence. Which is adding an interesting dynamic to Peter as a person within the story. You almost get the feeling that he is perfectly happy with just Aunt May being accepting of his return. Which would make complete sense because she is the first woman in his life to love him unconditionally. That is until now…

There is some action within the panels of this issue. Which is rather poetic to see, as funny as that sounds. Joe does an amazing job of taking you through a completely emotional story in one issue, all action, then bringing it all together in a separate book. The change of events within this story happens fast, but also in a slow-motion feel. Which plays into the “shock and awe”!

Joe Kelly also gives us one of the most anticipated exchanges that I have been waiting for since Peter’s return to Earth. Mary Jane Watson/Venom and Peter Parker/Spider-Man. For those who have been dedicated to this ASM storyline, you will remember the last time Mary Jane spoke to “Peter” (aka Ben Riley), it did not go over well at all. Well, you, the reader, finally get to witness Mary Jane confront the real Peter Parker with added banter from Venom. This conversation is one that makes you feel the anger from Mary Jane because of Peter not feeling that he could tell her the whole truth.

The conclusion of this story takes you back to the ending of Amazing Spider-Man/Venom: Death Spiral pt. 1, where we see who our main villain is and who his next target is. He (Spiral) takes no time in going after who’s next on his list. Which is about to start something that I’m not entirely sure he will be ready for…

The Writing

I shouldn’t be surprised by how great this writing is for ASM because it is Joe Kelly. Who knows how to create a script that will either leave you dangling on the edge or pull you in so close that you’re right there with the characters. This issue does all of that. There isn’t much more that I can say about the writing except that it is exceptional.

The Artwork

This art team had their work cut out for them with this issue. And they passed with flying colors! Ed McGuinness with his smooth and precise line work. Marcio Menyz’s coloration of this issue was absolutely… B-E-A-utiful! One of the many pages that stick out in terms of art for this issue is the opening page of Spider-Man swinging in the air. Capturing the iconic Spider-Man pose and the bold pop of the colors of his suit.

My Thoughts

Loved this issue! Love the play on two stories at one time! You get to see Peter get thrown into a blender while Aunt May and Mary Jane have their fingers on the power switch. This is a story that will make you feel so many things for Peter. Remorse, but then a feeling of “you deserve this, Peter”! Fantastic read, so make sure you don’t miss out on this twenty-third issue of ASM!