Rating: 4.5/5 – A fantastic Spider-Man book…without Spider-Man!
This new series set in Spider-Man’s side of the Marvel Universe brings together some lesser known and obscure Spider-Man villains teaming up for what they hope will be their next big payday. It’s a well written and wonderfully paced story that despite Spider-Man not being in the story, allows these C-list villains to carry a title. The story and art combine to make a great combination that fit these colorful characters well.
Although it’s tough to know why writer Nick Spencer chose the villains that he did, which includes Boomerang, Shocker, Overdrive, Speed Demon and Beetle, so far they work together, with Boomerang front and center. The story spends much of it’s time being told through Boomerang’s point of view. While Boomerang gets the most page time, except for Overdrive, we get to see each character on his or her own and through some clever panels and thought balloons, we can see some of their motivations and thought processes.
Lots of writers spend a lot of time trying to make lesser known villains matter, or try to elevate their threat level while modernizing them to work today. In this story, Spencer embraces their silliness, and shows us their struggles and unfortunate consequences of choosing the lifestyle that they do. For this story it absolutely works and it’s what makes this title so enjoyable. On the flip side, for long time fans of some of these villains it may be tough to see them not being taken seriously. I’ve always been a fan of the Shocker, and in this story, he comes off as pathetic. Again, it works for this story but in a way, lessens this character’s impact and threat to Spider-Man and the Marvel Universe (until someone else comes along and tries to do what I mentioned above of course). Taking it one step further, the portrayal of this cast is also the only issue I have with this book. So far, but knowing that we’re only one issue in, none of these characters are likeable. Yes they’re interesting and yes at times they’re funny, but likeable…not so much. But for this story, I think that’s the point.
Artist Steve Lieber’s style fits perfectly for this story. His art matches the tone and humor of the book perfectly. If you’re not familiar with Lieber, his work has been seen in Image Comics’ Underground and Oni’s famous Whiteout series with Greg Rucka. And colorist Rachelle Rosenberg brings makes the villains stand out, again, in a way that fits the tone of the story. Her coloring on Speed Demon and Shocker in one of the more funnier scenes, make them seem as ridiculous as you’d imagine them in an everyday setting.
I’m surprised at just how much I enjoyed this title. I thought that this book would focus around the current Spider-Man interacting with other long time Spidey villains. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. This books works because while the story is set in Spider-Man’s world, it has no Spider-Man in it.
Reviewed by: Shawn Hoklas – shawn@comicspectrum.com
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