TOP O' THE WEEK
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1 (MARVEL, $5.99) is by writerJoe Kelly and artists Pepe Larraz and John Romita Jr. Jeff of Earth-J and I have discussed earlier our willingness to experiment with this restart of the title, even though it seems to carry over almost unchanged from the previous iteration. Norman Osborn is still Peter Parker's pal (!), Mary Jane is still not his girlfriend, Parker still doesn't have a job, most of his best supporting characters are still dead, and Aunt May, while alive, is still boring. But I enjoyed the ol' Spidey wit enough in the last run that I'm going to give this a go. I've missed being a Spider-Fan, and I'll ride this nostalgia wave until, inevitably, I tire of the Spider Quo again.
Which is probably as good a place as any to discuss the latest eyebrow-raising elephant in the Spider-room: As of last week, the All-New Venom is ...
Mary Jane Watson.
If you've been following the "Who Is the All-New Venom" storyline, then you know that she wasn't one of the suspects. That's not playing fair with the audience, Marvel.
And you might remember when MJ was so traumatized by Venom that she wouldn't even let Parker wear the black suit. I guess she's over it.
And hey, remember when she was the anchor of Peter Parker's non-superhero world? That's over, too.
I guess we need a new emoji that says "Before Brand New Day doesn't count."
Anyway, as preposterous as this development is, and as damaging as it is to the already-damaged character, it serves the same purpose as the groan-worthy Jackpot: It keeps Mary Jane in the strip, whereas otherwise she would have no reason to be.
She's not Parker's girlfriend, and is in fact married to someone else. Her job, whatever it is, doesn't intersect with either of Parker's lives. If she hadn't become Jackpot andf buddied up with Black Cat, we'd have had no reason to keep seeing her since the last Amazing Spider-Man #1. And we never will, because, as Tom Brevoort tells us in his Substack, Peter and Mary Jane are never going to be married again. Ever.
Brevoort mused about MJ over a couple of posts over a couple of weeks, but the big post was the one I've linked to, where Brevoort was responding to a fan asking if the success of Ultimate Spider-Man or Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows would induce The Powers That Be to revisit the idea of Peter & MJ being married in the 616. And he said the decision has been made that the 'platonic ideal" of Spidey is an unattached one, and that decision is final.
Coming from that angle, it makes sense to keep superheroizing Mary Jane, or lose her as a supporting character. And "Venom" is a bigger draw than "Jackpot."
But coming at it as a reader ... well, I have to ask: Why bother? If she's not involved in Peter Parker's life, then she's not a supporting character. In fact, I'd argue that a Mary Jane Watson who is not a romantic intererest for Peter Parker, as she was from 1965 to 2007, and in multiple cartoons and movies, is not Mary Jane Watson. She's somenbody else. Give this character a ticket to Comic Book Limbo Land, and wish her well. I'd rather that happen, honestly, than either Jackpot or All-New Venom, because neither of those is Mary Jane Watson to me. In retrospect, Mephisto murdered "my" MJ back in Brand New Day, and they've been re-inventing this imposter over and over ever since then to find a reason for her to exist.
And if she's not going to be Peter Parker's significant other, I don't think she should exist. She has no purpose. Her aromantic bickering with Peter flies in the face of 40 years of characterization. That was somewhat tolerable if there was an endgame to it — i.e., Peter and MJ would have a tearful reunion down the road. But if that's impossible, then it's a painful read for no reason — just picking at a scab — and a reminder of what we're missing. Give These Kids Today™ a MJ-like character of their very own they can get behind, until inevitably some reason is found to block her from the altar. Rip off the Band-Aid, Marvel, and just shunt her off to Never-Never Land.
At least she'll be safe from writers there.
Oh wait. Gwen Stacy wasn't safe from writers even in the grave. She was degraded post-mortem. Man, it just doesn't pay to date Spider-Man.
Well, don't mind this cranky old guy. Here's what the creators have to say, starting with new villain Hellgate:
“Spider-Man was probably the first Marvel comic I read when I was a kid,” Larraz said. “It is a privilege for me to be able to draw this character, even more so that it's guided by Joe Kelly's hand. I'm a huge fan of Joe's writing, from the way he builds characters to his dialogue, humor, and sense of action. Joe is great at everything he does, but the most important thing for me is that his stories matter, touching upon themes that are always relevant.”
"This is my first AMAZING SPIDER-MAN cover!” Sinone Di Meo said. “That's already a great honor, but to be able to do it for a new launch by three legendary creators who I'm also a BIG fan of is even better! I'm sure that Joe, Pepe and John will do an incredible job on the series. I've been following all their work for many years, and they know how to weave the right webs--I can't wait to read it!"
On his future at Marvel, Di Meo said “I'm really excited to be back working at Marvel. Being able to work with some of the most iconic characters in the world fills me with pride and emotion! The project we are building together is truly a dream. It will be a little longer before I’m able to talk about it, but it is something that I hope the fans will appreciate. The team and I are doing our best to create something unique. It is a new artistic challenge for me, but I love to challenge myself!"
“Even though this is a new #1, I don’t think of it as a ‘restart’ per se,” Kelly explained to Polygon. “I’m writing the next chapter of the story of one the world’s greatest characters, lucky enough to follow in the footsteps of the folks before me. After that sinks in, I spend a lot of time thinking about what I love about Spider-Man and his cast, what stories resonated with me at different times of my life, and how I can synthesize all of that into something that works with what came before but breaks new ground. ... I feel a drive to take bold, unexpected swings in order to see how Spider-Man deals with Marvel-sized curve balls. Pressure makes diamonds.”
“The most important part of Spider-Man that I wanted to portray accurately is Peter,” Larraz added. “Of course I can talk about drawing a believable New York, I shot hundreds of pictures of details of the city for reference, or how I’ve focused on drawing the flow of Spidey’s movement and speed in a way closer to animation than comics. But I think Spider-Man comics work because we care about Peter and his world, so that was my main focus: To draw a Peter that you instantly recognize and empathize [with].”
“I didn’t think we could get Joe for a substantial run of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN,” Spider-Editor Nick Lowe said. “He’s always so busy with animation and television and movies, so he usually just dips in and out of comics. That’s why we tapped him for ‘The 8 Deaths of Spider-Man.’ He was doing so great, so when he asked if we’d consider him for being the ongoing writer, I felt like I won the lottery. Add Pepe Larraz’s masterful and supersonic talent to the equation, and we knew we had the makings of an instant classic. Then John Romita Jr. agreed to stay on … fireworks went off. I better go buy some lottery tickets!”
FIRE & ICE: WHEN HELL FREEZES OVER #1 (OF 6, DC COMICS, $4.99) is by Joanne Starer and Stephen Byrne. Spinning out of Absolute Power and DC All In, Bea and Tora still have swapped powers. So they go back to Smallville, where they hung out in Fire & Ice: Welcome to Smallville,. I didn't read that miniseries, so I don't know why they like the place, or where they live, or what. (If they stay at the Kent farm, won't people start to put two and two together?) But I appreciate DC giving us a fun book without a Bat in it.
Here are the creators:
“Fire and Ice’s last series, Welcome to Smallville, really focused on the ladies figuring out how their friendship worked when they weren’t saving the world,” said Starer, “and of course there was a lot of conflict that came with that. With this new series, I wanted to showcase how well Bea and Tora understand each other and how strong they are when they work together.”
“The girls accidentally swap bodies in an attempt to correct the power mix-up that happened during Absolute Power,” continued Starer. “This Freaky Friday situation might be confusing if not for the brilliant art of Stephen Byrne. He's created incredibly fun and distinct new character designs that make it VERY clear when Ice is in Fire’s body and vice-versa. The body-swap chaos is going to be a ton of fun for readers, but not for Bea and Tora.”
“As it turns out, the only way to get their original bodies back is to hunt down a mystical artifact in Hell,” concluded Starer. “So, naturally, I’m having them literally fight their way through Hell, side by side. While no prior knowledge is required to pick up the series, our old-school Justice League International fans will remember that Fire and Ice have been to Hell before — so a return trip is extra risky. But these two are willing to gamble it all for each other.”
CROSSOVERS
DOCTOR STRANGE OF ASGARD #2 (OF 5, MARVEL, $3.99) is by Derek Landy and Carlos Magno. Marvel doesn't say this is part of the "One World Under Doom" crossover, doesn't have the trade dress on the cover and offers a story that seems completely unrelated. (Strange and Loki are caught up in a murder mystery in Asgard.) But it's got to circle around to "One World Under Doom," because you just know Strange has got to be in on the climax of the story -- and get his cape back!
MORE ITEMS OF INTEREST
ABSOLUTE BATMAN #7 ($4.99) is part one of an interstitial two-parter that "reveal[s] the connections between a young, up-and-coming scientist named Victor Fries, his history with the Ark M experiment, and what it all has to do with the mysterious Joker." So, here's the Absolute version of Mr. Freeze, for those of you scoring at home.
G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO — JINX #1 (ONE-SHOT, IMAGE, $3.99) is by writer DANI and artist Dan Watters. It's the second of five one-shots starring different Joes in all-silent missions, emulating the famous "Silent Issue" in the '80s. In this one, Jinx has 20 seconds (which occur over 20 pages) to escape a Cobra base before a bomb goes off.
“DANI and Dan Watters brought their A+ game to this issue,” said Alex Antone, Editorial Director at Skybound. “DANI was born to draw ninjas, and this issue’s inventive use of the page turn just might deliver Jinx’s most memorable adventure yet!”
GOLDEN RAGE: MOTHER KNOWS BEST #1 (OF 5, MR, IMAGE, $3.99) is by writer Chrissy Williams and artist Lauren Knight (Buffy the Vampire Slayer). I confess that, as an older guy, I like the idea of old ladies showing that they're still capable of headlining an action story. That being said, I didn't read the first Golden Rage miniseries, so I have no recommendations to make.
“I’ve always thought of Golden Rage as aspirational — I hope my days also end with such good friends and stabbing weapons," said Williams. "I can’t wait to share this series with everyone.”
Knight added: “There’ll be more fights, more wrinkles, and more hot flashes than ever before — and we prove definitively that, yes, denim is for all seasons.”
VATICAN CITY #1 (OF 3, DARK HORSE) is by writer Mark Millar (The Magic Order) and artist Per Berg (Machete Squad). Vampires have taken over the world, and everyone's dead (or undead) except for 2,000 tourists in Vatican City. The vampires can't get in, because of all the relicious iconography, but they can't get out, either. I'm wondering what they'll eat and drink, for one thing. Does Vatican City have underground springs? (I have no doubt that every single rumor about secret passages and store rooms and weapons in the Vatican will prove to be true in this series, which is enough to make me want to read it. Also, it is connected to The Magic Order in some fashion, which I'll be reading soon in the Library Editions.)
"I’ve had this idea for years, Assault on Precinct 13 with vampires, tourists and staff safe behind the holy relics in The Vatican while the rest of the world outside has been taken down by the forces of darkness,” says writer Mark Millar. “I wrote it into The Magic Order as a little subplot in volume 3, but really wanted to flesh it out and tell the whole story. Vatican City is my big chance. Most exciting of all for me is getting to work with Per Berg. I’ve admired his work for two or three years now and have been itching to get together with him on a project, but this has just surpassed all expectations. It’s the maddest thing I’ve ever written. You’re going to love it.”
ULTIMATES #11 (MARVEL, $4.99) is by writer Deniz Camp and artist Juan Frigeri. It occurs to me that if I'm calling the Absolute line "items of interest," I should do the same with the Ultimate line -- which also make me wonder why I'm not reading them. Especially when this one sounds so juicy. In Ultimates #11, Thor, Sif and She-Hulk (?!?) try to depose Loki, grown fat on the Apples of Idunn on the Throne of Odin. Should be fun.
GOLDEN AGE OF REPRINTS
ABSOLUTE GREEN LANTERN: THE SINESTRO CORPS WAR HC (2025 EDITION, DC COMICS, $125.00): I don't have anything to say about this particular book. I just want to bring up the obvious problem of naming both prestige reprints and a new publishing line the same thing. When Absolute Green Lantern is collected, how will the casual fan know which kind of Absolute he or she is getting? This is a self-inflicted problem, which I'd think professionals would think to avoid. Unless they want people to get confused, which would change "stupid" to "evil."
AVENGERS FOREVER BY JASON AARON HC (MARVEL, $100.00) is by writer Jason Aaron and various artists. So, I've read a little Jason Aaron Avengers here and there, and had vaguely decided to read his entire run at some point. (Maybe on the Marvel app in the far, far future.) But maybe I could just cut to the chase with this. I'm not sure if this includes the Avengers One Million stories, wherever they appeared, which I've always wanted to read. Any advice, Legionnaires?
BATMAN / ELMER FUDD: THE DELUXE EDITION HC (DC COMICS, $19.99): I'm still amazed that this exists.
DC FINEST: BATGIRL — NOBODY DIES TONIGHT TP (DC COMICS, $39.99) for all you Finest fans.
OFFICIAL HANDBOOK OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE MASTER EDITION OMNIBUS VOL 2 HC (MARVEL, $100.00): I was getting these (and the DC equivalents) for a while, assuming they might be useful for research some day. But I've given up on that idea. Bon voyage, 1980s. It's been fun.
STAR WARS 1977 #1 FACSIMILE EDITION (MARVEL, $4.99): I remember when this came out, thinking "sure, it was an OK movie, but is there really enough there for a whole comic book series?" Shows why I'm not a comic book editor, I suppose.
PRESTIGE PUBLISHERS
HONORIA: A FORTUITOUS FRIENDSHIP HC (MR, FANTAGRAPHICS, $39.99): A coming-of-age story about two girls in the shadow of the Fitzgeralds and other literary lions in 1929 France. PREVIEW.
I ATE THE WHOLE WORLD TO FIND YOU TP (MR, DRAWN & QUARTERLY, $22.95) "maps the topography of trauma, treasures, and loss imposed onto the body of Jenny, a twenty-something-going-on-thirty-something partial hot mess who’s routing her way more firmly into adulthood." PREVIEW.
PRECIOUS RUBBISH HC (MR, FANTAGRAPHICS, $29.99): A traumatic childhood told via mid-century comics style. DESCRIPTION.
SKIN HC (MR, FANTAGRAPHICS, $34.99): A "lyrical graphic novel paints a captivating portrait of two women in search of themselves." PREVIEW.
SQUEAK CHATTER BARK: AN ECO MYSTERY TP (FANTAGRAPHICS, $24.99): Kids try to save their parents in a middle school graphic novel. PREVIEW.
MORE COMICS
ACTION COMICS #1085 (DC COMICS, $4.99) is by writer G. Willow Wilson and artist Gavin Guidry. "Superman Superstars" concludes, just in time for the "Summer of Superman."
ADVENTURE TIME #1 (Oni Press, $4.99) is by cartoonist and animator Nick Winn (Bloody Mary) with Derek Ballard. Adventure Time will feature a rotating cast of creators, including Caroline Cash (PeePee PooPoo), Asia Simone (Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur: Wreck and Roll), Jorge Monlongo (Over the Garden Wall: Hallow Town), Brenda Hicke (My Little Pony) and former Adventure Time writer/storyboard artist and 2024 LA Times Book Prize Finalist Derek Ballard (Cartoonshow).
I have never watched Adventure Time, so I have no comment. I hope those of you who do watch it will offer your thoughts. In the meantime, Oni Press seems pretty excited about it.
“ADVENTURE TIME was such a huge part of me growing up,” said series writer and artist Nick Winn.” Not only was it hilarious, but it had such an emotional intelligence that very few shows could pull off back then. Being able to revisit the land of Ooo through Oni Press has really been such a joy and a challenge to build something new while still keeping the energy and charm the show cast on me in middle school!”
“We’re thrilled to welcome readers back to distant lands with all new adventures featuring their favorite ADVENTURE TIME characters”, said series editor Megan Brown. “The land of Ooo has long been home to some of the most radically unique comics, and we’re excited to add to their rich legacy with an incredible creative team crafting a story that is full of friendship, heart, and wild new challenges for Finn & Jake to overcome. BEST OF BUDS is the perfect jumping-off point for new readers — and a return to form for old friends!”
CAPTAIN ACTION VS. AL CAPONE, VAMPIRE #1 (AMERICAN MYTHOLOGY PRODUCTIONS, $6.99) is by writer J. C. Vaughn and artists Brendon Fraim and Brian Fraim. It's unlikely this book will show up at my LCS, but it's so bizarre I'm tempted to order it.
DAREDEVIL #20 (MARVEL, 44.99) is by writer Saladin Ahmed and artist José Luis Soares. Daredevil (Matt Murdock) is back in his clunky, black-armor costume, the one that looks so impractical for a ninja and screams " '90s excess" to me.
THE GREAT BRITISH BUMP-OFF: KILL OR BE QUILT #1 (OF 4, DARK HORSE, $4.99) is by writer John Allison (Giant Days, Steeple) and artist Max Sarin (Giant Days, Wicked Things), and is a sequel to the first British Bump-Off series. The hook is that it's a cross between the Great British Bake-Off and Agatha Christie. Cooking up a little murder, you might say. I like murder mysteries, but don't like cooking shows, and the latter is enough to overpower the former for me. But you, my cooking-show-loving friends, might find this tasty.
“I wouldn’t say that I went into the heart of darkness to research this story,” said Allison, “but I certainly went into several quilting shops. I believe this is the first direct market comic book ever to try to blow the lid clean off the hitherto secretive world of daggers-drawn patchwork. I would like to thank my collaborators on KOBK … mostly for their bravery.”
"I'm so grateful to have worked with Sammy,” added Sarin, “who obliged my suggestions on some of the quilts I drew throughout the series, based on my girlfriend's nana's work. I was overwhelmingly happy to make this homage to her. It wouldn't have been possible without Sammy!"
TRANSFORMERS #19 ($3.99) is a standalone Megatron story that kicks off the fourth arc in the series, by writer Daniel Warren Johnson (Extremity, Do a Powerbomb) and guest artist Ludo Lullabi (Battle Chasers).
“When Daniel pitched the idea for this story, I knew we’d be bringing in a special artist for it, and Ludo Lullabi was the first name that came to mind,” commented Executive Editor, Ben Abernathy. “Loving his work from World of Warcraft and Battle Chasers, his kinetic storytelling and attention to detail were a perfect fit for a Megatron-centric story.”
Replies
Oh, I definitely agree the turnaround is much more quick now. And definitely, the market forces were different in the Silver Age... and I think the expectations of almost everyone on this board were shaped by that mindset, where the status quo would remain status indefinitely. I love seeing change in comics -- well, in some comics -- but when it happens for every creative team, and each creative team only lasts 8 months or so, all we get is churn.
For example: "Let's make Spider-Man's web-shooters organic rather than mechanical!" or "Let's give the 'power and responsibility' line to Peter's Uncle Ben!"
They made fun of the organic web-shooters in the movie Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) when two of the Spider-Men questioned the organic bit. They failed to ask why the webs still came out of his hand. As for Uncle Ben talking about great power, it made no sense since he had no idea that Peter wasn’t a normal person.
I haven't started the new Great British Bump-Off series yet, but I always have a good time reading whatever John Allison writes. The first one was a blast!
Douglas Wolk made some interesting observations about the constant "churn" of Spider-Man in the "Spinning in Circles" chapter of his 2021 book All of the Marvels.
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