“As along as you have that one thing in place…the rest will take care of itself”.
Writer: Matt Kindt
Artist: Marco Rudy
Color Artist: Val Staples
Letterer and Production: VC’s Clayton Cowles
Cover Artist: Rudy and Staples
Assistant Editor: Frankie Johnson
Editor: Tom Brennan
Backstory: I read the first issue of this, and while I am not against non-sequential story telling (I love the work of David Lynch for example), I decided I didn’t wish to invest in a monthly comic that borrowed from that style. I was then asked to review issue #5…for what it’s worth Peter and Mary Jane get together at the end.
Plot: Well, erm…this is less of a “traditional” story, and more of a…mood piece. An exploration of…feelings through…imagery? Long story short this is the most pro Peter/MJ comic I’ve read from Marvel in years, it just gets a little lost on the way.
Thoughts: I have not read much by Matt Kindt, but I did take
one of his graphic novels on holiday with me once, and I enjoyed it. It’s called Revolver, and it has a similar feeling to this series. Where I think Revolver worked, and this didn’t, was that I could read all Revolver in one sitting. As this story is presented in an almost dreamlike format, there is little to enjoy about the story issue to issue. The issues don’t really follow the usual three act structure, and neither did the overall plot. Those looking for a story where characters respond to the consequences of another’s actions, won’t really find that here.
Spider-Man does learn that his recent encounters with his villains are linked to a scheme plotted by Wilson and Richard Fisk, but by the end of the issue I’m not even sure if that sequence was real. Where serialised non-sequential story telling has worked in the past, there has usually been enough plot to keep my interest. Take something like Twin Peaks, the overall narrative can get confusing, but I can at least follow the soap opera elements enough that the bizarre moments don’t become too overwhelming.
When examining individual scenes the creators, Kindt and Rudy, are capable story tellers. I feel Kindt has the right voice for Peter Parker, and Rudy delivers some great illustrations of classic Spider-Man villains. If these two ever attempted something more linear I would be happy to read it. However when the jigsaw pieces are put together the image doesn’t match the box.
The series did end on a note I appreciated. Peter is rescued from his nightmare by Mary Jane, and he remembers a story Uncle Ben once told him, about how his unsatisfying job was made forgettable by his time with Aunt May. This story, coupled with Mary Jane’s arrival, helps Peter realise his hardships are just as meaningless when he can end the day with Mary Jane. The long time paramours embrace.
Grade – D: Where the series falls short is with the plot. Was there really a need for five issues, would the narrative gain or lose anything by adding or loosing an issue. I don’t think it would, as the series did not have a cause and effect narrative. A one-shot exploring these ideas may have been interesting. Perhaps Kindt is suggesting that Peter’s battles are not as important as his positive relationships…while this is an appealing concept, I would prefer it explored in an narrative I could enjoy.
– Adam
Apple Podcasts
Google Podcasts
Spotify
Pandora
Amazon Music
iHeartRadio
Podbean
Amazon Alexa
Player.fm
Listen Notes
Stitcher
I think you were FAR too lenient on this comic. Simply because it ends with Peter embracing Mary Jane, that doesn’t somehow make this debacle better. There’s no excusing some of the worst plotting and storytelling in the history of comics as a medium. D is simply not harsh enough. This is a solid “F” if ever I saw one – simply one of the worst stories that was ever told in the comic book format.
@12-A solution could be putting effort into the minis and not making them irrelevant cash grabs. Hobgoblin Lives rocks. Revenge of the Green Goblin rocks. The Real Clone Saga rocks. Just basically put the effort you’d put into the main book into these minis
@11 Argh – you’re right.
This is the second “trippy” mini I can think of in recent years (Fever, being the other). Why don’t they do one about Harry? It could tie to the movie.
Marvel can’t really win. When Mr. Negative’s origin was told in a mini series, I was annoyed because I had to buy an extra book. So I can understand a mini being self contained
@#7-I think it’s a case of that aspect of the series is in such a state of disrepair some of us will take whatever we can get. Sort of like how Untold Tales was the life preserver for many during the Clone Saga.
@#8- I sorta agree except when it’s like a mini-which affects the ongoing series or if it’s a story in the ongoing series. That stuff should fit into continuity AND be entertaining.
On a side note if they wanted to do a weird trippy existential Spider-Man story surely it should be about like the first time Harry Osborn dropped some acid instead of…whatever the Hell this was.
@#8
In my cynical age, I have grown to care less about one shots when reading… what was the phrase you young-uns use nowadays? Serial fiction. If it has no bearing on the overall story, can’t muster the strength to care.
That’s why whenever someone talks about one-shots and non canon stories that feature the Peter Parker/Spider-Man we want, I laugh flippantly with a tear in my eye.
Kevin was right to say on the podcast that Marco Rudy is taking a lot of influence from David Mack, that Peter and MJ page reminds me a lot of his work.
Nice little homage to Gustav Klimt’s “The Kiss” on that page, which is a pleasant surprise.
It’s easier not to think about what does and doesn’t matter. For me it’s more about what’s entertaining and what isn’t.
Had I been able to understand this series, I’d have enjoyed it whether it was referenced again or not . I’m not disappointed it doesnt fit into continuity. I’m disappointed there wasn’t a tangible plot. Series like this and Spider-Man: Reign don’t exist to fit into the ongoing narrative.
“The series did end on a note I appreciated. Peter is rescued from his nightmare by Mary Jane, and he remembers a story Uncle Ben once told him, about how his unsatisfying job was made forgettable by his time with Aunt May. This story, coupled with Mary Jane’s arrival, helps Peter realise his hardships are just as meaningless when he can end the day with Mary Jane. The long time paramours embrace.”
If it doesn’t happen in the main book, what’s the point? OH YEAH!!! To sucker you into caring for a book that wouldn’t matter otherwise!
I really was so confused by this book. The only thing I know happened was that $20 left my wallet.
Honestly, I don’t know. There’s no spinning top to let me know when it’s a dream, or when it’s real.
SO this whole mini serie was just a dream?
Your welcome man. I’m just glad this thing is over
Hey, thanks. It was a difficult one to review, so I’m glad it worked out.
Cool review bro. Objectively I think the MJ angle is a legitimate one for a story and is true to the character(s). However it has been done before and done better. Not being objective I personally enjoy seeing it though. Nevertheless I really feel that this was one of the absolute worst and most worthless Spider-Man minis ever made since it lacks a plot. Like you said man this could’ve just been a kind of experimental one shot but 5 issues ($15-20 in total) for this is a royal scam