Spider-Man: you’ve heard about him, right? He’s only one of the most recognizable characters on planet Earth, with hundreds of comic books, episodes of animated series, best-selling video games, and multiple movies to his name. Heck, you’re probably wearing Spider-Man underoos right now. But even with the name factor, Spider-Man comics, with their soap opera continuity and wild swings, can be difficult to get into. Enter The Amazing Spider-Man #1, an issue that is shockingly new-reader friendly, expertly crafted to be a jumping on point for anyone with a passing interest in the web-slinger.
Written by Joe Kelly, with art by John Romita, Jr. and Pepe Larraz, part of the surprise here is that this is not just continuing the plot of the previous volume by Zeb Wells, but also picking up after the multi-part “8 Deaths of Spider-Man” storyline, also written by Joe Kelly (with Justina Ireland). Despite the new #1 on the cover, there was no real reason to think this would be a ground-level entry-point into Peter Parker’s world.
Yet that’s exactly what Kelly does in this first issue, weaving the status quo for everyone from Peter to Norman Osborn, to even Aunt May through the story, and even dealing with the insane-when-you-lay-it-all-out career path that Peter Parker has had over the past sixty plus years. Not only that, but Kelly also adds a light retcon in a character from Peter’s school days, a few returning villains, and even a new one. You know the old maxim that every comic is someone’s first? This is the first Spider-Man comic in a looooong time that could, actually, be someone’s first Spider-Man book, and would draw them right in.
It’s also a refreshing change from the previous run that recenters Peter Parker as the main character of the book. Not the most revolutionary change, I know. But while we’ve seen Peter try to balance work, family, romance, and his responsibility a million times, there’s a comfort level there: that’s how Spider-Man comics work, and this issue makes them work well through cheesy humor, big action, and a lot of heart.
Not everything works 100%. Peter’s relationship with his girlfriend Shay gets a weird, confusing “have your cake and eat it too” wrinkle — she’s a character with potential that we still don’t know much about other than she’s a nurse and dating Peter. And the new villain introduced here (he/she/it’s been teased by Marvel already) seems like an odd fit for the down-to-earth hero, though it’s early days. And those who only want to see Peter back together with Mary Jane — first of all get over it, it’s been nearly two decades — won’t get much of a hint of that happening in this issue.
But despite some small quibbles, Amazing Spider-Man #1 really does feel like a fresh start for Spider-Man. Add in some delightfully kinetic art from Larraz, and two back-ups from the legend Romita, Jr., and you have an oversized comic that you can hand almost anyone to get them excited about Spider-Man.
The Amazing Spider-Man #1 Rating:
The Amazing Spider-Man #1 Official Synopsis:
ALIVE & THWIPPING! The next era of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN has arrived! Peter is, shockingly, without a job and looking for gainful employment, but his job search is interrupted by a RAMPAGING RHINO who is but the tip of a sinister iceberg. What major Spider-Villain is working behind the scenes weaponizing other Spider-Villains including one we haven’t seen in OVER SEVEN YEARS?! Also, what is that Goblin-free Norman Osborn up to anyway?
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