Overlooked Gems: “Free Fall”

Today we will be taking a look at Free Fall from PETER PARKER: SPIDER-MAN vol. 1 #95 by Howard Mackie and John Romita Jr. from 1998.

I’ll be completely honest: Howard Mackie is easily one of my least favorite Spider-Man writers. I’ve always found his work on WEB OF SPIDER-MAN and PETER PARKER: SPIDER-MAN to be rather dull and uninteresting with forgettable plots and bland characters (I’m looking at you, Shoc). And the less said about his work on the 1999 relaunch of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, the better.

But in spite of my overall lack of enjoyment regarding Mackie’s work on the old web head, I will concede that he has left the occasional gem in his wake. In particular, Mackie has actually had a pretty good track record writing Norman Osborn’s character in my opinion (The Gathering of Five obviously not withstanding). Under Mackie’s pen, Norman was often strongly portrayed as a truly sinister, cunning fiend who you couldn’t wait to see receive his just-desserts. Free Fall, our gem for the day, arguably demonstrates that more than any other issue Mackie has scripted.

Our tale beings with two particular arch-enemies in a rather…awkward position (both figuratively and literally you could say).

Cue flashback!

Skipping ahead, Peter and his wife Mary Jane currently find themselves in a dire situation…a situation of the financial variety.

But who should show up offering his sincerest assistance?

Later at The Daily Bugle, Peter meets up with Betty Brant to find a more…dignified solution to his cash crisis.

But wouldn’t you know it?

Before Peter and Betty can take their leave, the situation quickly escalates into something a whole lot more hazardous.

I’m sure that elevator will provide plenty of protection…

…or maybe not.

Definitely not.

But as you might expect, a little thing like an explosion isn’t about to finish our protagonist and antagonist off (though I’m not certain I can say the same for Betty and little Normie).

Where can the situation possibly go from here? Will Peter and Norman be able to put aside their many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many grievances and work together to get themselves and their loved ones out of this predicament? Or will old habits die hard? You decide…actually you won’t have to if you read it for yourself.

Norman Osborn and Peter Parker being trapped in a demolished elevator shaft is a clever scenario ripe with dramatic potential and Howard Mackie more than delivers on it. The two rivals both lay into one another not with their fists for a change, but rather with cutting comments and even some harsh truths about the other. Even in a perilous situation such as this, Peter and Norman still prove to be their own worst enemies as they struggle to push aside their disdain for each other and work together to survive.

While Free Fall has sadly never been collected, tracking down the individual issue should not pose any problems to the Spidey-faithful.

Even if you aren’t a fan of Howard Mackie’s work like myself, I would still highly recommend giving Free Fall a go. He may just surprise you.