With Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 5 #1, Spider-Man feels ‘Amazing’ again. That’s something I never thought I’d get to say again as a longtime Spider-Man fan.
Nick Spencer, God love him, shows us on the page that he understands the angst of too many Spider-Man fans. He gets that things haven’t felt right for a long, long time. He gets that there has been a massive void in this story. To say I am deliriously happy today is an understatement.
Spencer shows us that he understands Peter Parker, but even more importantly he understands, on extremely important levels, the voice of every other character in Peter Parker’s world. And by God, he understands the importance of “them” for the story and for the readers. It’s been missing in this book for a decade and it’s way overdue, but Spencer (and Nick Lowe, and EIC C.B. Cebulski) have apparently heard us on what this epic story has been missing.
Lowe’s letter explaining why they kept this one close to the vest was key. Had they told us what was coming… I mean, too many Spider-Fans have callouses from the last ten years. We wouldn’t have believed the book could be that good again… that ASM was going to be fixed, or at least as close to it as possible at the current time.
There is still a lot of damage to fix, but Spencer does so much in one issue to right the Spider-ship. Today I am floored and, for the first time in so damn long, I feel optimistic and hopeful. It’s been so long now that I don’t even know how to feel it. Is this even real right now?
Still lots to do, of course. But web-shooters up for Spencer, and a twenty-one Thwip salute.
“I’m excited about Spider-Man again,” he wrote, not even believing it was coming out of his keyboard.
–George “Today I Am Thankful” Berryman,
7/12/2018
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I loved this issue too, George! Everything from Peter’s supporting cast to his villains (I loved the use of an iconic one in this issue. Very nice continuity with him). I had high hopes for this series after Superior Foes of Spider-Man. LOVED that series. Nice to see Fred playing a role here as well as Janice. What did you think of the backup, George? I can’t wait to read or hear your spoiler-filled thoughts .
Agreed on everything! I can’t believe im at the local comic book shop again. Reading it I was like “finally!” Everyone, buy this issue. It’s worth it. Time to vote with our wallets.
@Enigma_2099 Marvel would be shooting themselves in the foot if they do what you think they’re going to do.
… I reserve judgment. We’ve been swerved before.