CREDIT:Marvel Comics
Rating: 3.5/5 – Light on the Original Sin, But Fun Overall.
by ComicSpectrum reviewer Adam Alamo.
A lot of people get irked when their favorite comic title gets dragged into a publisher’s big event with a crossover issue. It probably has to do with the event dictating what happens in the book almost invariably to the detriment of the character’s own story. I’m not necessarily a fan of crossovers myself, except that when it’s done right, it can be really good! However, with this second crossover issue of Amazing Spider-Man into the Original Sin event, I’m left scratching my head. Is this supposed to be an Original Sin tie-in or not? I’m getting mixed messages!
Certainly the big “Original Sin” words emblazoned on the cover indicates this issue is supposed to be part of the latest Marvel event. So does the inclusion of Silk, revealed to Spider-Man last issue to have been bitten by the same spider that gave him powers. That really is the big “sin” that this crossover should be exploring. Yet, it seems to have taken an abrupt backseat this issue to the Black Cat/Electro narrative that kicked off with the Amazing Spider-Man re-launch. While some may triumph that their Spider-Man story was not subjugated by the event, it does defeat the point of this being a crossover issue. I believe the introduction of Silk and a look at the circumstances surrounding Spider-Man’s origin were interesting and I was looking forward to exploring that more. However, one of the fun things about Slott’s Spider-Man has always been the juggling of multiple storylines, so I have no doubt we will get to that. Meanwhile, the Black Cat/Electro story continues to be fun as Spider-Man combats the lingering effects of Doc Ock taking over his body. Dealing with these troubles can carry this series for a good long while and I suspect Slott will cash in on that. The issue ends with a cliffhanger that would have had more impact if done 30 years ago, but these days is well played out. For the most part I like the art by Humberto Ramos, of which opinions seem to be as polarizing as those on crossovers. During some of the pencil-heavy panels it is hard to make out exactly what is going on, but that’s a minor criticism.
Overall, this Original Sin tie-in didn’t move forward with the “sin” that was revealed last issue. I have no doubt Slott will return to this particular narrative, but it seems odd to neglect it in an issue bearing the crossover branding all over the cover. That being said, I believe there is a lot of potential as Marvel adds a “never known before” additional twist to the origin of Spider-Man and I’ll definitely be sticking around to find out what happens.
Reviewed by: Adam Alamo
(adam@comicspectrum.com)
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