Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man #4 (2017)

Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man #4 (with review’s thoughts)

Writer: Chip Zdarsky

Artists: Adam Kubert

Colorist: Jordie Bellaire

C.Artist: Adam Kubert and Jordie Bellaire

Editor-in-Chief: Alex Alonso

The issues starts off…

With Tinkerer in his new Spider Slayer suit about to mop the floor with all three heroes.  Spider-Man make a bad pun by calling him the Tinkerer Tailored Soldier Guy to which Johnny comments on just how lame that name sounds.  It’s a good solid fight between the three to which Spider-Man knocks the Tinkerer (suit and all) out the window with a good solid thrusting punch, after threatening Teresa.  Fisk wants to know where to send the bill to all the damage they caused.   Fight concludes down on the streets below, to which the Tinkerer escapes to which Spider-Man is not to happy about…so he takes is frustration out by smashing the roof of a car.

Thoughts:  I don’t mind this.  It’s a good solid fight and Spidey did one thing that I actually been waiting for.  Takes the fight seriously.  His sister is threaten so he reacts.  I have a sister, if she ever got threaten, I would probably react the same way…minus Spider-Powers.  Human Torch is Human Torch and Teresa is Teresa.  No character change during this fight and that’s just fine.  The banter between Torch and Spidey is still going strong.  Zdarsky has nailed the banter essence to the two characters.

Scene shift to the Daily Bugle where J. Jonah Jameson is talking to Robbie Robertson about his blog.  He basically wants the Bugle to back him up on this story of a picture he received to tarnish Teresa reputation as a wanted fugitive and how she is in “cahoots” with Spider-Man. Robbie respectfully declines his offer due to his stories being more Agenda-Driven that hard facts.  Jonah, being the jolly one, storms out but Betty Brant catches up and they decided to team up and expose this story.

Thoughts: Sweet chocolate cake, I am on a sugar high right now.  This scene is PERFECT.  It shows the growth of this supporting cast staying in continuity with the rich history that they have obtained over the years.  Robbie showing great respect for his old boss, but also showing professionalism in his new title as owner of the Daily Bugle.  Jameson has changed, but shows heart when Betty Brant (once a receptionist, now star reporter) decides to work with him.  He states on how proud he is of how much she has grown over the years!  Zdarsky, bravo sir!  You got this right.  This issue start is pretty strong so far and I don’t see anything stupi…

Thoughts: ……STINKY-GASTROL-SMELLY-FARTS!!!!!!!!

So back at Parker’s Pad we find Teresa and Peter relaxing after the fight with Tinkerer then Peter gets a call from Agent Mintz asking about Teresa and wants to talk to Spider-Man.  Peter complies with the FBI agent of the phone and quickly hangs up.  He tells Teresa to suit up and they gotta get her someplace safe worried that they may be being watch.  NOTE: They kinda are.  The picture Jameson and Brant received was from Mintz.  Peter thinks that taking Teresa to his friend Rebeca place would be a “good idea”.  They show up and her comedy place and she says NO.  I would to, if I got onstage and pulled a stunt like what Peter did.  Peter and Teresa decide that Mason’s lab is the best place to go and once they get there, there’s the Vulture holding Mason in a headlock.

Thoughts:  The conversation at the Parker pad was fine, but the whole comedy club thing…that wasn’t needed or wanted.  Zdarsky wants to be funny and he is, no doubt.  He want’s Spider-Man to be funny, but there’s a certain kind of humor that only Spider-Man can process.  There’s a difference between sarcastic humor on a fun note and just being goofy.

Pros

• The Fight scene
• The Bugle scene
• The Parker Pad scene

Cons

• The Comedy Club scene

Grade: B