Ben Reilly: The Scarlet Spider #14 Review

So we’re playing catch up. BUT FIRST!

WHAT CAME BEFORE: A 90s level crossover with the SLINGERS brought forth more mystical madness that you suddenly have come to expect from the most unexpected source! Mysterio got name dropped like it’s suddenly 2008 and PAD has some ideas that sprang from that plot thread that was supposed to be a hint that red dude that may or may not be the devil is coming….

Wait, what’s that you say? *Checks future iss-*

DAMMIT MARVEL! AGAIN?!

Anyway, onto the issue:

Ben Reilly: The Scarlet Spider

Issue Fourteen: Bad to the Bone Part 1 of 1

Writer: Peter David
Penciler: David Williams & Ray-Anthony Height
Inker: Scott Hanna
Color Artist: Rachelle Rosenberg
Letter: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover Art (Main): Khary Randolph & Emilio Lopez
Assistant Editor: Tom Groneman
Associate Editor: Devin Lewis
Editor: Nick Lowe
Editor-In-Chief: Axel Alonzo C.B. Cebulski
Chief Creative Officer: Joe Quesada
President: Dan Buckley
Executive Producer: Alan Fine

Story: Kaine interacts with a Veterans group, Ben confronts Mysterio, and a Hippo attacks. No, seriously.

Thoughts: Well, after last arc, this was a different pace. Yes, at the time of this, I am keenly aware that I’ve not reviewed last arc yet, and I get that we’re playing catch up. One and Done’s seem rare these days as it’s always a set up for a multi-level arc that is going into the next arc. But don’t worry, those of you who love tie ins: it’s coming, because poor PAD always get drug into doing damn tie-ins.
But I’m going to be honest: This felt like Scarlet Spider (Vol II) #26. And that’s not nessesarily a bad thing.
Kaine got most of the screen time this go around, and it’s refreshing. Kaine’s growth from the beginning of this series to now is my favorite part of the storyline going thus far. Kaine and Ben don’t like each other, but they are learning to respect one another. It’s very similar to how it was set up during Redemption, the criminally underrated miniseries that was brought about by the same team that brought you Kraven’s (Not So) Last Hunt. Kaine has emerged from villain who killed Peter’s enemies and Rival that Ben was hunted by to Anti-Hero to Hero. It’s the type of arc that Venom dreams about but never will achieve, despite evidence that Marvel would have you believe. Kaine is billy badarse here and dammit he deserves it!
The Hippo subplot was fun. It reminded me of the best issues that  the second volumes of Scarlet Spider and New Warriors did well. When you have a master of his craft in PAD you can accept some sillyness and humor in it all. This isn’t meant to be taken overly seriously and you have to think that when you’re reading it.  Sadly, Peter’s writers in Amazing & Spectacular don’t seem to be able to deftly convey the humor aspect of Spider-Man and the medium. That’s why many are hoping to see Spencer come in and recapture the magic of his Superior Foes run. 

Ben reacting to Mysterio was a well done and in character plot, given that he too has died… 27 times. I’m also looking forward to seeing how PAD is going to pick up the plot threads from Friendly Neighborhood and use them here.
You’ll likely notice I’ve not once mentioned the artwork. Its because… It’s not good.
Scott Hanna is a very good to great inker, who is a veteran in this industry and I will not criticize this work in this issue as it’s not his fault.
But egads is this bad. Firstly, you know this was a rush job. You just know it! You don’t have two people on pencils in a book if it wasn’t. You can’t fault the script as it’s been turned in and I know of no reason to believe that PAD’s known health issues have returned, but the overly cartoony style is a stark contrast to Bagley and Sliney. That’s just on the interior. Let’s discuss this overly Manga inspired cover. While they have become the official cover artists of the series, the Model work on Ben is poor, with this instance on Ben having the hoodie up. I know that it sometimes makes a contrasting visual, but it’s not something that needs to be a defining trait. The reason the Hoodie works is because it’s something that wouldn’t take long to assemble, much like how Ben threw it on in Web of Spider-Man 118. Why it became is signature is the use in other medium and because its far less stylized that Peter’s. This has the distinction of being the worst parts of Humberto Ramos’ rush work and doesn’t bring the best out in the book. Covers are to draw you in, and ultimately, I feel this fails on all accounts.
Though the “Part 1 of 1” make me think A) 90s. and B) a chuckle.
All and all I can tell PAD is having a blast on this book, and it shows.
I’m very happy to be proven wrong that it lasted this long.