The Amazing Spider-Man #31 – The Talk

Aunt May comes back from passing out after hearing a stranger say that he is her son… What kind of life did Aunt May have twenty years before Peter moved in?

Creative Team

Joe Kelly (Writer), Patrick Gleason (Artist), Marcio Menyz (Colorist), VC’s Joe Caramagna (Letterer)

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

Publisher: Marvel Comics

The Talk

Issue thirty-one of The Amazing Spider-Man (ASM) from Marvel Comics brings two stories within one very solid book. This is a great creative strategy when it is done right. In this case for this issue, Joe Kelly does the dual storyline with expert precision! This issue first takes on a feel of ending one chapter and starting a new one. That is until you reach the ending. I would also like to take this time to prepare readers of the potential emotional toll this issue may have on some readers.

The first story of this dual threat issue I want to talk about is the introduction of a few iconic Spider-Man rogues indulging in a different style of an auction. The head auctioneer remains hidden for majority of the story, until Spider-Man arrives and pulls him out into the light. Revealing to everyone that he is The Vulture. This story has a bit of a “power struggle” tension to it once Tombstone puts Vulture into check allowing Spider-Man to speak. The ending of this portion of the story ends on a cliff hanger when someone from Spider-Man’s most recent past comes out from the shadows in curiosity of what they are seeing.

There is a second story being told within this issue that is a very heart wrenching one. At the end of issue thirty of ASM a gentleman arrived at Aunt May’s apartment to reveal himself to her as her biological son. Fans of Spider-Man (comic books or movies) know that Aunt May and Uncle Ben never had children. That is what makes Peter’s arrival to their lives so moving with joy. This issue spends majority of this portion of the story detailing the life that Aunt May and Uncle Ben had before Peter came into their lives.

Within those fifteen to twenty years before Peter, Aunt May struggled with infertility. This is a struggle that effects not only the woman but also the man. This issue goes further into detail, the story of her struggles of infertility and how Aunt May possibly gives birth to a miracle baby. This creative team goes the extra mile to really pull on your emotional heartstrings. I for one, was hit by this book very hard.

This book hit my emotions like a wrecking ball. That’s because my lovely wife and I have and still are struggling with infertility… We have gone through weight loss, testing, medication and various other remedies. All with no success. Imagine my surprise as I sit down to read and review this issue to seeing one of my favorite comic books bringing life to a subject that brought focus on the turmoil of the wanting to be mother and father. I can only speak on what I’ve visually witnessed my wife go through dealing with this. That is one pain I wish I could take away from her.

Speaking from a man’s point of view regarding infertility is going to break me down, but I’ll try my best. I come from an upbringing that seldom shared or showed emotion. You didn’t cry, express hurt or even verbalize “I love you.” But a man can only hold in so much before an emotional tornado comes roaring out. As a man dealing with the struggles of infertility with my wife brings upon questions that start to mess with your mind. “Am I broken? What’s wrong with me? What kind of man am I? Why… me…?” A man provides for his family, in my case, my wife. And dealing with this did have me question what kind of provider I am when I can’t provide the one thing my wife desires.

Like Aunt May, my wife and I do not accept that we cannot have a child. Hope and faith are still ever present in our hearts. We have given it over to a higher power.

The Writing

Joe Kelly brings to life a subject that numerous people are struggling with in this world. I appreciate the fact that he gives infertility the attention it deserves within a different world that isn’t accustomed to hearing about it. The style of writing is so impactful because it is coming from Aunt May herself. I would love to see a flash back issue of Uncle Ben and his emotional response to their infertility. This is a solid issue, with great writing as always from Joe. I look forward to seeing where the Vulture story goes from here as well!

The Artwork

Words carry emotional impact just by themselves. But when you give words a visual representation to help in telling a story is when it becomes even more impactful. The art in this issue by Patrick Gleason and Marcio Menyz is amazing in both stories! The coloration and details within the Vulture portion are beautiful to see. Then there is the Aunt May portion… The artwork for this story is full of so much emotion. The pain within the facial expressions and the visual on page nineteen hit so hard. Great work!

Variant Covers

Final Thoughts

This issue has something for everyone. If you want action, the Vulture story is for you. If you want to know more about Aunt May, you’ll get that too. This is an amazing issue that brings to the forefront the issue of infertility and its impacts on the “want to be” parents. A very emotional story that will bring some to their knees. I know it did for me… Go get this impactful issue from your local comic shop today!

Overall Grade: 10/10

Links

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