Spider-Man is now an honorary member of Damage Control. Working hand in hand to rid New York City of criminals. But things take an interesting turn in his personal life and his vigilante life. Will Spider-Man find the peace that he is deserving? Will there ever be a sense of normalcy for him…?
Creative Team
Joe Kelly (Writer), Francesco Manna (Artist), David Curiel (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
Mom
Issue thirty-five is a pivotal issue for The Amazing Spider-Man series. Building on to the newly founded relationship between Spider-Man and Damage Control. Spider-Man is not known for working in team constructs. Sure, he is/was a member of the Avengers. But he truly thrives working solo. So this new relationship with Damage Control is a curve ball to the lore of Spider-Man. And so far, it is working out really well.
***WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD***
Within this issue readers are once again exposed to the roller coaster relationship between Peter Parker and Aunt May. If you’ve been following along, you know that Aunt May in fact has a biological son. This comes as a major surprise to both Peter and Aunt May. So much so that Peter is having a very difficult time coping with the appearance of his newly discovered cousin, Cormac. This new branch on the Parker family tree is something Peter is not ready to accept.
It is no secret within the Spider-Man story arc that Peter is not the greatest “son” towards Aunt May. He tries what he believes is his best to be, but always ends up falling short in the end. Proving to himself that he is a disappointment to her. Although Aunt May has never spoken those words to him. Now enters Cormac and the disappointment factor rears its ugly head back to the front of Peter’s thoughts. So in true Peter fashion, he starts to push Aunt May away again.
One of the most beautiful segments of this story is Aunt May confronting Peter by surprise to let him know how she truly feels about the situation with Cormac. Yes, he is her biological son, but she did not raise him. She is interested in learning more about him and establishing a relationship with him. But he is not the “son” she raised, Peter is. Aunt May pours her heart out to Peter giving him solace in knowing that Cormac will never take his place in her heart. She will always be Peter’s mom…
There are some big character appearances within this issue as well! Readers will get to see Luke Cage, Ghost Spider, and members of the Spider-Team. Spider-Man seeks out some professional advice from Luke Cage while providing some help of his own to Luke. This portion of the story provides some much needed Spider comedy. Making readers remember the humorous whit that Spider-Man dishes out.
The portion of this story with Ghost Spider opens up a door that readers may or may not know is coming. If you read the recent mini-series of Spider-Gwen: Ghost Spider by Stephanie Phillips you will have a better understanding as to what is taking place within this issue in regard to Ghost Spider. What takes place starts to place a wedge between Spider-Man and Damage Control. Agent Griffyn of Damage Control is not pleased with how Spider-Man handles this situation and makes it very well known to him.
As if things couldn’t get any worse for Spider-Man/Peter Parker, the ending of this issue brings forth another level of devastation to him. While in a very heated exchange with Agent Griffyn, Spider-Man keeps getting a phone call. After ignoring the call a couple times, Spider-Man answers… And the voice he hears on the other end is not that of the caller ID… Something terrible has happened… Things may never be the same again…
The Writing
I have said it before while covering this series by Joe Kelly, and I suppose I’ll say it again. Joe does an exceptional job at toying with reader’s emotions within his writing of Spider-Man. There have been numerous issues within this series that have caught me off guard while reading and have left me an emotional mess. This one issue is no different. The dialogue between Peter and Aunt May tore my heart apart. Granted fans of Spider-Man will see Aunt May’s words coming, but it always hits hard. Then there is the beautiful team dynamic between the Spider-Team and Ghost Spider. Gives off a Fast & Furious theme of “family.” Outstanding storytelling within this issue as always. Bringing together various aspects of New York City into one book. Which adds more to the Spider-Verse as a whole.
The Artwork
This art team for this issue provides excellent storytelling! You can make out the story just by looking at the panels without reading the dialogue/narration. Which is fantastic in my opinion! The art is bright and vivid while paying close attention to all details within the panels. The emotional details that are displayed absolutely assist the storytelling of this issue. The suits look amazing as well as the web-slinging action sequences. Fantastic work yet again from this dynamic team of Francesco Manna and David Curiel.
Variant Covers
Final Thoughts
This issue gives you restoration, team building, mystery, action, compassion and heartbreak all in one. This emotional roller coaster of an issue continues to tell this beautiful story of a broken family trying to put the pieces back together. While also showing a new working relationship that starts off great but turns rocky in an instant. This series is full of real life examples of situations that regular everyday people and families go through. Maybe not being Spider-Man, but the emotional situations that he endures within his personal life.
Issue thirty-five is legacy issue #999! You do not want to miss out on getting this issue for your collection! Next month (September) is the monumental release of Spider-Man #1000! Get issue thirty-five from your local shop today and make sure you reserve your copy of #1000!
Overall Grade: 10/10
Links
Comic Book Reviews & Entertainment News: Nerd Initiative
Previous ASM Review: The Amazing Spider-Man #34 – Damage Control
Travis’ NI Portfolio: TravisComicHaven – Nerd Initiative
Travis’ Personal Content: Travis’ Comic Haven
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