PETER PARKER: THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #308 REVIEW

Writer:  Chip Zdarsky

Artists: Chris Bachalo

Editors:  Nick Lowe

E.I.C:  C.B. Cebulski

Crawlspace Reviewer: Chi-Town Spidey

Crawlspace E.I.C: Brad Douglas

Peter is at the Bugle trying to figure out a way to clear Teresa’s name, Robbie reminds him the reality of the situation and reminds Peter that he still has a job to do and a deadline to meet.  Meanwhile Marko Flint aka The Sandman is having a hard time keeping himself together and gets set to the hospital.  Jonah informs Peter via cell phone and Peter heads off to meet Jonah at the hospital.  Sandman is having dreams of flashes about being somewhere else, with Aliens, and instead of sand he’s Glass.  Peter informs Jonah that he’s not going to take Marko in, just talk to him to find out what his deal is.  Peter approaches and meets Sandman in the hospital, Pete’s wearing civil clothes and his mask.  Marko informs Spider-Man that he’s dying and there’s nothing to cure him.  Spider-Man offers to help, but Marko refuses.  Spidey takes him to the beach where we get a little backstory on Flint, thanks Spidey and then dies.  Epilogue shows someone else, the glass form, is about to take over and become the new Sandman.

A touching tale between Enemy and hero.  It doesn’t go toe to toe with Kraven’s Last Hunt but it’s about par with Webspinners: Tales of Spider-Man #11 where Chameleon “committed” suicide.  Sandman is has begun to bring a whole new meaning to “Dust in the Wind”

Zdarsky is leaving Spect after this story arc.  Sandman “Death” is apparently his send off.  He writes Sandman well in this issue.  Flint is still Flint and even when Spidey offers to unmask himself, Flint refuses to see.  He’s staying close to his NY crook/villian roots.  Something is happening in the issues to come where we see “Glass-Man”?..but this issue just focuses on Sandman.  Although we here at the Crawlspace prefer Spidey kicking butt in his own damn book, we also value the true character of Peter.  Zdarsky proves Peter doesn’t have to punch his way through a situation.  There are a few nitpicks..he shouldn’t have offered to reveal his identity to Flint, but going there to talk to Flint to find out what’s actually going on with out thwiping out one single web.  Jameson is still heavily into this series and still acts like Jameson.  I honestly thing that’s one of Zdarsky’s strong points.  Writing Jameson.

I’m not a fan of Chris Bachalo’s artwork.  I haven’t heard of the guy since before this issue.  The artwork is kinda all over the place, more gritty where I prefer it to be more solid.  I know he did a lot of Doctor Strange titles which would fit well, but I don’t think it works for Spider-Man.  Story works well though and good bow out for Sandman.  What’s to come…we’ll have to see..

Grade: C+