The Hobgoblin returns, in more identities than one! Witness Spidey’s Spider-Sense go bananas, Madame Web’s Future-Sense go bananas, and because you demanded it…the return of Sally Floyd!
“Danger Zone Part 1: Warning Signs”
Written by Dan Slott
Illustrated by Giuseppe Camuncoli
Inked by Dan Green
Colored by Antonio Fabela
Lettered by VC’s Chris Eliolpoulos
Cover Art by Steve McNiven
THE PLOT: Tiberius Stone, mole for the Kingpin at Horizon Labs, has concocted a new device which sends Peter’s Spider-Sense into sensitivity overdrive, causing him to avoid anything and everything posing even the most minute possible threat.
LONG STORY SHORT: In the background, Roderick Kingsley plots his return. Meanwhile, Madame Web sees the future and screams about it! Again!
MY THOUGHTS: It was okay.
This issue was by far and away leagues above whatever-the-heck that Alpha story was supposed to be, but it wasn’t anything special. It’s by no means bad, and fairly entertaining. I think the biggest compliment I can give this issue is that it was entirely competent, which is really damning with faint praise. It balanced several plot threads in a cohesive manner and kept the pace moving at a brisk yet welcome speed that didn’t go too fast, nor padded itself out for the eventual trade. Slott’s pacing is back to true form here in a way that keeps me invested in the story he’s telling. I’m interested in Kingsley’s return of course, as well as the cliffhanger with Phil and Peter. I’m not at all intrigued by Madame Web’s visions, but that doesn’t detract from the good this issue brings.
The best aspect of this issue is that it keeps Spider-Man as an effective superhero whilst giving him a sufficient challenge to overcome, both at the start and by the end. The opening scene was classic Spidey with the action and quips, and Slott has gotten better about patting himself on the back every time Peter recalls something that’s happened in a previous issue. Another example being the reference to Peter’s photo book “Webs”. I believe when the jaded readers of Amazing Spider-Man read issues like these, it’s doubly satisfying in that it tells a decent and interesting story without providing continuity errors, out of character moments or try to “CHANGE THINGS FOREVER!” That’s been a constant factor of the title for the past five years, so whenever there’s an issue like this that comes out it’s like a breath of fresh air.
Slott thrives on these types of stories as well. He’s better at mirroring the 70s/80s era of Spider-Man where there were multiple plots balancing out the book which involved the supporting cast and kept Peter on his toes. While I won’t go so far as to say that’s the definitive way to write Amazing Spider-Man, it’s certainly classic. This Hobgoblin story feels like a Hobgoblin story, as it includes the Daily Bugle, its reporters, the Kingpin, and a somewhat new obstacle for Peter in the overcharged spider-sense.
Speaking of which, I feel as though the idea of Peter’s Spider-Sense going into overdrive is a concept done before, but after all this time I still cannot recall where. It doesn’t matter in the end, as it’s an idea that isn’t used much. The Spider-Sense has been hilariously inconsistent over the past half century, but one thing that’s at the core of the ability is how it responds to any perceived threat in Peter’s nearest proximal direction. Slott knows his stuff as opposed to times when the Spider-Sense would react to things downtown or areas where Peter would be nowhere near. It’s consistency like this which I very much appreciate these days in ASM.
The part of the issue that falls the flattest, or rather just isn’t as welcome is Madame Web’s role in the story. I’m to the point where I think that Slott’s a fan of the 90s show because he uses Julia Carpenter’s MW which such frequency that I can’t imagine him looking at anywhere else in Spider-Man’s publication history for direction in how to write her. The problem is that while Madame Web was annoying in the 90s cartoon, it was mainly owed to her condescending attitude towards Spider-Man which was mostly separate from her warnings of the future. It was part of her personality, and the show called her out on it. Here, Julia Carpenter’s gag is that she offers Peter the most vague, uninformative information which he can’t honestly use to his advantage and distracts him from other important matters. The scene in the Daily Bugle where she barrels through the office screaming at Peter and calling him Spider-Man was overblown, and affirms that Madame Web’s main role in the book is not to help but hinder Spider-Man by inconveniencing him and putting off the readers. In this issue it just sets up for an obvious misnomer cliffhanger which anyone could see from a mile away.
With this issue we’re introduced to Giuseppe Camuncoli’s pencils inked by Dan Green as opposed to classic inker Klaus Janson. By now I’ve formed the opinion that Camuncoli is a perfectly able and proficient artist, but may not be well suited for super hero comics. I can’t see his style working on any title that involves a costume as the tone of his art feels gritty and biting in a cartoonish, yet unattractive way. It feels very early 90s, and not in a good way. He’s a solid artist, but his style, to me, just doesn’t fit the character of Spider-Man and his world.
Overall this is a fine issue in the ongoing saga of Spidey. It’s very back-to-basics, and while the story doesn’t grab me it keeps my eyebrow arched to see where it’s going.
3.5/5 webs
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I apologize if I contributed to this thread… I think some of us old guys get stuck on the idea that (in Grandpa Simpson voice) “ASM isn’t as good as it was when I was young and used to tie an onion to my belt!” But, it occurs to me that the guys doing the reviews here are taking each issue as it is in its context, meaning they are not comparing the latest issue to ASM #15 (or whatever classic issue). If I am correct in my assumption, I think this is abundantly fair, if even gracious to the current creators. This site continually publishes the best reviews of Spidey-related material and I hope they continue for many years. If you doubt the quality, check out the CBR reviews – which are basically frothing at the mouth advertisements that seem bought and paid for by Marvel.
I don’t think the Crawlspace always reviews negative, if you look at the reviews for the recent Lizard arc there’s obvious positivity. I think possibly when a less good issue comes out (the Alpha storyarc seemed to have been received bad-to-middling by most review sites), reviewers here are sometimes a bit quck to springboard into how this shows everything that is wrong with Dan Slott’s writing, the post-OMD Spidey books, etc etc. Whereas other reviewers might be a bit more “Well, this one didn’t work, shame, but hopefully the next arc will be better”.
But no, this place isn’t quite the torrent of negativity it’s sometimes written up as. It probably helps that the average quality of ASM is much better now than it was during BND.
@Enigma — I should have emphasized the three-part idea: (1) opinions about the post-OMD universe generally, (2) opinions about Dan Slott, and (3) opinion about any particular issue. The site does not chronically lean negative on 3 (and using multiple reviewers makes even more sure that there is a variety of opinions presented). And it doesn’t even chronically lean negative on 2. But I do think the site has a consistently low opinion of OMD across the board. The three zones can sort of bleed into each other at times, but I think they need to be kept distinct.
@#19
*slow golf clap…*
The one comment that I would like to make is this: everybody has different tastes when it comes to Spider-Man. In fact, the Crawlspace Podcast has a collection of fans that prefer very different era’s of the wall crawler: JR – 70’s & early 80’s, BD – 80’s, Spideydude – 90’s Clone Saga, Kevin – 90’s JMS. My point, one person’s trash is another’s treasure. I can’t stand the clone saga but recognize there are fans that love it. Heck, whatever got you reading Spidey! I suspect Slott’s run has even gotten new fans onboard even though there are those who don’t like it. While I practically never agree with Don’s reviews, they are well-written and he sums up why his grades are what they are. I like the multiple reviews on ASM each month because Don and Erik have very different styles. Hope it continues when Superior comes out.
I can’t completely agree on that point. No one leans on any side. Ultimately, the review reflects the reviewer’s opinion on the story. No one sets out to be overly negative because of OMD. In truth, I think they do a d*** good job of keeping any bias in check. If the book isn’t that good, the book isn’t that good.
This site has been very critical of ASM’s over-all editorial direction (starting with OMD), but not negative toward every individual issue. IMO, over the years this site’s reviewers give mixed reviews re. Dan Slott’s writing — almost always complimenting him on his pacing, but other times saying his stories are too fan-fictiony and there’s too much jokiness. Crawlspace also discontinued a popular former reviewer who became too relentlessly harsh.
Considering that every Internet reviewer disliked (or even hated) One More Day, Marvel’s singling-out of CS as the “negative” site is discriminatory, and only because the site doesn’t fawn over them like certain other major fan sites do. CS leans on the criticizing side, but you need to distinguish between how CS views ASM’s total post-OMD story-setting (thumbs down), Dan Slott’s work (thumbs sometimes up, sometimes down), and individual issues (often giving them a “B-” grade or better).
I like the reviews “in general”… I really like the guy that reviews Venom… he’s got some style in his work, but overall, I do find the reviews lean towards negativity… some times, it’s deserving, and other times it makes me question the reviewer… nonetheless, I atill enjoy reading them… I just find that on occasion I will agree or disagree with the positive/negative comments…
🙂
Hornacek, please don’t badger the person who ‘left’.
He has just as much reason to his opinion as you do.
The showdown between Kingsley and Phil at the end needs to be EPIC. Doesnt even have to be at the end. Just as long as it is EPIC 😀 How big a part do you guys think Kingpin is going to factor into this story? Is Phil still working with him, or was that just some temporary alliance?
There’s probably more, but they were alwyas just reactions to a particular threat, not suped up by artificial means.
I remember the overloaded spidersense on a couple of occasions, the one that jumps out at me was right before secret wars, (actually might have been one of the original hobgoblin issues, how ironic is that) I think it happened during the whole morlun thing too. I can remember one other instance, when the wizard gave spiderman’s spidersense to namor for a couple issues, and when he got it back he was overwealmed by it…of course because he was trying to pick up some hot chick who turned out to be part of the frightful four.
Just trying to share my helpful piece of spiderman history.
#2 and #3 – so long, we’re all gonna miss you. I’m just kidding, we won’t miss you.
Seriously, if you think this site is giving out lots of bad reviews on purpose, isn’t it just as plausible that the issues are that bad? I’d rather an honest critic than a yes-man any day.
So… what’s been said is, damned if you do, damned if you don’t. Don posts a review of a book. He says, in essence, it’s good, but not spectacular. There wasn’t anything wrong with it. But it was merely an average issue that did its job, which was good enough to maintain interest in the title.
3.5. Better than average.
I’m sorry, but I gotta back up my bud here.
-SD
@#8
That’s why they don’t care about your review. If they did, they’d have to admit that the negative bias they claim is dominant in the reviews doesn’t really exist.
2 & 3: I also reviewed this issue for the site and gave it a favorable review. Really, it just comes down to opinions. Sorry you feel that way, but I just don’t think it’s a fair accusation to say we always give bad reviews.
7: I’m reading your post as saying there is a problem with the book, but it’s not the creative team. Forgive me if I’m misinterpreting, but I’m curious as to what you feel the problem is then, if there is one? Because I don’t understand how, if there is a problem with the book, it could be with other than the creative team — unless you’re suggesting it’s related to editorial mandates. In that case I could see what you’re getting at, but I think an argument could be made the editor in chief is also part of the creative team.
You got to give it the creative crew on Spider-man, they’re giving it their all. They aren’t the problems with the book.
I thought this issue was exceedingly-solid, and then I realized why.
Christos Gage co-wrote it.
Funny, in light of Matteo’s comments. I was thinking your review was too generous (it was the .5 that did it – ;). I agree with much of your assessment, but I also feel like so many times with Marvel (Slott in particular) it’s like we are talking to the “C” student and saying, “hey, you got a 77% on that last exam, great job, you’re getting close to a B!” It seems to me that the criticism you guys get for being too negative is really unjustified and that you are really trying to look for the best. They way I see it, you are basically always optimistic and open that they might get it right once in a while. I hope I expressed this clearly. It’s a compliment.
Actually, the inking for this issue looks so much better than it did for No Turning Back, so I’m okay with the change up. Besides, even if you think Camuncoli doesn’t work for this kind of book, his art is still better than Ramos’.
how you thought that this was anything less than spectacular is beyond me. to each his own, I guess.
you guys’ reviews grade Spidey issues so low. I think ima pass this site’s reviews up from now on. best of luck.
Why does the spider-sense situation remind me of a scene I saw in Final Destination?