Comics Cornerstone: The Amazing Friends of Spider-Man?
Image Courtesy of Marvel Comics
Hello again, comic fans! Welcome back to another review here at “Comics Cornerstone”! In today’s installment, I’ll be examining issues 26-29 of “The Amazing Spider-Man” written by Nick Spencer. I hope you’ll find what you read today insightful and entertaining. Now then, let’s get started!
It’s been a while since I last reviewed anything from this series. Which is surprising considering Spider-Man is my favorite fictional character of all time. Although I have to say, the first 3 of these 4 issues don’t feel much like a Spider-Man book. What do I mean? Basically, they read more like a story about Spider-Man’s supporting cast rather than being about the title character.
Allow me to explain. Issues 26-28 are a three-part arc entitled “Who Run the World?” (Beyonce fans will get it) It’s about a team of 6 female B-list supervillains who want to get revenge on Peter Parker’s roommate, Fred Meyers, aka Boomerang. Boomerang is a former supervillain who’s been trying to get on the straight and narrow for some time now. No one ever took him seriously as a bad guy anyway. What’s interesting is the dynamic between him and Peter. Because Peter is Spider-Man, he knows Fred’s secret identity. But. Fred doesn’t know that and he also doesn’t know Peter’s secret identity. Confused yet? I wouldn’t blame you if you are. Either way, these 6 supervillains are out to get Boomerang for wronging them in the past. What he did, exactly, I’ll leave under wraps. It’s pretty ridiculous though. Ridiculous in a good way!
Here’s where the problems come in. I feel like the story would have functioned better as a Boomerang 3-issue-miniseries with Spider-Man as a guest star. And that’s because Spidey isn’t the protagonist here. Boomerang is. Spider-Man is more of a background presence than he is the main character. That’s not to say it isn’t a good story, because it is. It just isn’t about Spider-Man. That’s a pretty significant problem when the book is called “The Amazing Spider-Man”. Thankfully, things get back on track in issue 29.
As I said, we’re back on track now. Issue 29 brings Spidey back to the forefront with a story that examines how Peter struggles with responsibilities in his personal life while also being Spider-Man. MJ is about to leave for California for 2 months to shoot a movie. It’s a huge opportunity for her and, despite being recently reunited with Peter, she can’t afford to pass it up. Peter’s plan is to meet her at JFK International and send her off.
Now, Peter knows that, because of his double life, his plan is doomed before it has even begun. Thankfully, after a pleasant conversation with Aunt May, he’s more determined than ever. Sadly, trouble is never far behind. Enter Peter’s sister, Teresa, who’s also a rogue ex-S.H.I.E.L.D. agent. Turns out she needs Spidey’s help to find her former partner/boyfriend who’s been kidnapped. Begrudgingly, Peter agrees to help even though he knows he’ll miss seeing MJ off. It’s the cost of being Spider-Man. Interestingly, the boyfriend was captured by Chameleon. It seems he wants access to some classified WMDs’. Access only the captured agent can give. Unfortunately, by the time Teresa and Spidey arrive, he’s already dead. The Chameleon has also already escaped. The mission would’ve been a bust if they hadn’t taken down a group of A.I.M. agents in the process. Although, as predicted, Peter did miss seeing Mary Jane off. She forgives him, naturally, via video chat later that night. But Peter’s failure leaves him sad and empty inside because it’s revealed he’d planned to propose before the flight. A compelling cliffhanger to leave on for a couple of months due to the next issues being tied to “Absolute Carnage”.
Well, that’s the wind-up and the pitch! Not much more can be said other than what I’ve said already. Issues 29 is a good story about how Peter can’t have it both ways. He and MJ love each other. But the only way he can be with her AND be Spider-Man is to marry her. Whether or not she says yes, we’ll have to wait and see. As far as 26-28, those get less of a recommendation from me. Not because they aren’t good. But because they aren’t about Spider-Man. So, just grab issue 29. That’s the best recommendation I can give. But I guess that’s it for today, guys! Until next time, stay comical!
