Mysterio is on the cover, folks, that means either – 1. clones, 2. faked death, 3. flashback, 4. more Mysterios, or 5. Peter made another deal with the devil with this time resulted in the return of Beck rather than Harry. So run by the bank to take out a small loan, buy and read the comic to find out, then join me as we break this thing down.
Remedial ASM 101
Kindred, some guy who supposedly died, worked his way up in the ranks of hell, and is now back to settle a score with Peter Parker. He is responsible for bringing Mysterio back from the dead and has now regretted that choice and killed poor Quentin Beck last issue.
The Story – Pay Attention, This Will Be on the Test
We start our (very long) yarn with the psychiatrist that ran away from Kindred, leaving Beck at the hands of Kindred, getting a visit from Kindred himself. Kindred outs the psychiatrist as none other than Ludwig Reinhart, A.K.A. Quentin Beck. Mysterio reveals himself and just as Kindred is about to kill him for telling the now deceased former psychiatrist Kindred’s real name, he has a change of heart and encourages Kindred to pursue his life-long goal of scriptwriting.
Spider-Man is ditching Mary Jane in an attempt to find Curt Connors. Connors had barricaded himself deep in the sewers surrounded by lots of killer self-replicating drones. After quite a lot of panels, he finally convinces Connors to quit being such a baby and man/lizard up and go and be a father. Peter also decides to start taking Dr. Connors up on going back to school.
Mary Jane, now short one date, brings everyone’s favorite side character Carlie Cooper along to the Broadway musical hit, Galactus. She knows the star of the show, Melanie Daniels, from her acting days way back when. Melanie gives MJ several backhanded compliments,
The show begins, only to be interrupted by everyone’s favorite Electro, Francine Frye, who threatens to kill Melanie unless her fans give her money. Michelle Jones Mary Jane devises a plan and they trick Electro, free Melanie, and launch Mary Jane’s new career in acting, which, unfortunately, will begin with Mysterio’s new movie. Electro gets freed from her trip to jail and a new job offer with the Syndicate.
Things That Passed, Things That Failed
PASSED – Everything about the Mary Jane story. EVERYTHING. Lowe said he wanted them to title the issue “The Amazing Mary Jane” and that would have been fitting for the impact of this story. So what all does this include?
Firelord Joke
Carlie Cooper – I know, I know, you are rolling your eyes and thinking – wait! This is the same ignoramus that wrote the defense of MCU Spidey. Well, I was unpopularly right then and am right now as well. THIS Carlie Cooper is NOT as poorly written as the previous Carlie Cooper. Here, she is a supporting cast to Mary Jane. Carlie Cooper suffered from two things earlier – 1. being forced upon us as the perfect MJ substitue and 2. being written by a revolving team of writers who didn’t really seem to have a clear understanding of who she was. THIS Carlie Cooper does not have either of those two problems. Her only issue now is the connection she has to the old. Her lines are appropriately funny and she does not hog the spotlight. She shows up as a person for MJ to not have to pretend around and I feel is an important addition to MJ’s story. Do I want to see her all the time? No. Are we seeing her a lot? No. So I’m satisfied.
The Eyes – I figured out that Melanie was really MJ before the reveal, but not as soon as I should have. If only I had paid attention to the eyes. Notice this picture before Carlie distracts Electro and this picture after the distraction. This was a nice touch.
POP QUIZ
This is Melanie Daniels first appearance in a Marvel comic, but what other classic movie had the protagonist with the name Melanie Daniels?
A. Singing in the Rain
B. Breakfast at Tiffany’s
C. The Birds
D. The Sound of Music
No Angst – I’ve said this time and time again, I LOVE the fact that Spencer treats Mary Jane like a real person, one who knows what she is getting into with this relationship and chooses to embrace it anyway. Is she worried about it working? Of course. Does she whine every time Spider-Man interferes with their time together? No! While I love Shakespeare, I hate characters acting like Shakespeare characters – extreme emotional responses. Things are going to happen when you date a superhero.
FAILED – The Lizard’s Lecture – I really don’t care a bit about the Lizard and would have been just as happy if they left his disappearance as a loose end to never be found again. As a way of keeping Spider-Man out of the picture so that MJ can do her thing, fine. I’m sure there are plenty of Lizard fans out there who were happy to read it. I found Connors’s wokeness at the end to be highly hypocritical. Sure, he has learned his lesson of messing with nature with his Lizard formula, but he is lecturing students AFTER HE JUST MADE SELF-REPLICATING LETHAL DRONES that would have killed any sewer worker that went down there or worse, gone loose in the city after he died. The saving grace to that ‘80s Conway-esque social justice lecture was the hint that we are going to get some Spencerian Spider-Man 2099 at some point in the future.
PASSED – Mysterio’s Return – I was sure that Mysterio wasn’t out of it for good last issue and I like Mysterio going back to the “faked my death” routine. This also reminds us that even though Mysterio can quite the loser at times, he is also quite ingenious when it comes to faking people out.
FAILED – Mysterio’s Return – I wish we had gotten something to hint that the new psychiatrist was Ludwig Rinehart. I would have loved some initials or something to help me piece that together. I felt a bit cheated that Kindred knew the name of the doctor, but I wasn’t given that piece of information. I went back to look to see if there were initials on his briefcase or something, but nothing there. We even have that bit where he looks at Mysterio right when Kindred is coming in and says, “Are you doing this?” which makes no sense in hindsight.
PASSED – The Syndicate
This is White Rabbit, Beetle, Lady Octopus, the Trapster, and Scorpia! In the hands of Spencer, this team is going to be epic!
OOTI (Onomatopoeia of the Issue)
Spencer fell down on the job, but we do get this rather nice one from a back-up story:
On a scale of 1 (POW) to 10 (BLRKBQRKPQRBLNB), SSSHHHRRRRKKKKKK rates a 9.
Other Stuff to Analyze
It has been one year of reading Spencer comics and I was concerned that at first, I was only enjoying so immensely in comparison to what I was getting before. This is not the case. Time and time again, Spencer is delivering top rate stuff. I have yet to give one of his stories less than a B. On top of that, Spencer is not finished with his mission of “fixing” things. Each story arc has been Spencer picking something that needed to be reset and taking his time to do it. And he is not sloppy about it, either. Spencer does not ignore continuity, he embraces it and uses it as a tool to deepen the story he wants to tell. In this issue, he demonstrates the character of Mary Jane. He looks at the OOC moments and uses that to make the character more believable. Peter David once wrote that real people often behave in ways that are out of character for them, but fictional people cannot or else the fans revolt. Spencer took what was done, explains it, and corrects the behavior. I have never seen a writer take this much time to reset a character. With 25 issues in, he is ready to be compared to other great Spider-Man writers like Peter David, Roger Stern, and such.
We continue to build the suspense of Kindred, though I am beginning to be concerned with the reveal being able to match the suspense.
While I do not look forward to more Lizard in my Spider-Man book, I am mildly intrigued that Peter is going back to school. My favorite time in Spider-Man is when he was in college, and while I know that those stories cannot completely come back, it is nice to have this connection to the Spider-Man I grew up with.
Grade
The Mary Jane part was A+, the sort of story you want to read over and over again. However, it was saddled with the Lizard story, which was a C if I’m feeling generous. However squared, we get some more clues to the Kindred identity so grade for this story:
A-
Some even more clues are coming in now, but don’t forget the old ones. The old ones put a timeline on this. Whoever Centidemon Kindred is, the person was dead before comics coming out in 1999. Presumably long before that since he has built up his way through hell by that time.
Clues this issue:
- Old enough to recognize Mysterio’s old ID as Ludwig Rinehart
- Kindred sticks to walls a la Spider-Man.
- Smart, but not omniscient – He had to figure out Mysterio’s trick, he didn’t know when he killed Mysterio.
- Says – “We are all slaves to continuity” – Not sure what that means, but certainly referencing an issue in the past that Peter had a part in. I know many are hoping this is a marriage reference.
- Says – “Excitement on the horizon” – certainly a clue here with the word “horizon”, but Horizon is a bit new to be part of his identity, unless it is a connection to the Jackal and we are going with clones here. Maybe Ben Reilly isn’t the original clone after all? Doubtful that Spencer would do that. Especially doubtful that he would bring back the real clone and make him a villain again after what was done to Reilly.
- Says – “Sins Remembered” – This is that much loved storyline about the twins of Gwen Stacy and Norman Osborn. Gabriel Stacy is still alive, so doubtful it is him, but this does reinforce an Osborn connection.
- Upset that Mysterio told someone his name, so this reinforces that it is not an obscure character, but one we should recognize when the reveal is made.
- He doesn’t like killing innocent people.
- May have some background in law enforcement or vigilantism since he says, “That’s what all of you say” when Mysterio says he is sorry and won’t do it again.
- Uses the name “Pete” again, which is used again in the comic by both Carlie Cooper and Mary Jane.
- Says he will introduce himself “through friends” and has images of several spider-people on his wall – but, there is also a picture of what looks to be Mary Jane’s eye, so take that into account before you pour through your old Spider-Verse comics.
- Says “We all have scars” then shows his forearm with rats coming out of it. Do we know anyone who would fit that? I cannot think of one. It may be someone who committed suicide, but if so, that would not have been shown in the original comics.
Well, my Harry Osborn theory isn’t holding up too well with all of these new clues, but I’ll stick with it for a while. I do have a NEW theory – in the grand history of Roger Stern and his Who Is Hobgoblin mystery, Spencer is going to continue to drop clues and build things up, then leave the book without telling editorial who it is supposed to be. Crawlspace Odds – 95%
But Wait! There’s More!
Story 1
We get a cleverly written stupid story about JJJ breaking into Peter’s apartment to get Spider-Man to investigate a noise disturbance that turns out to be some alien or magical-dimension demon called the Die Chromator that has the power to change the color of fabric. Spider-Man, realizing that this Electric Company level threat is too big for him alone, recruits Dr. Strange in much the same manner that JJJ recruited him. The story ends here with no resolution. I figured we’ll get part two in the next over-priced issue.
Well written, but rather inane reason to pull in Dr. Strange.
C
Story 2
We get an awfully written stupid story that is supposed to be a computer AI’s telling of a Spider-Man story. The jokes are weak and used often.
Might would have been a D+, but in the panel of all of Spider-Man’s girlfriends it included Silk, but not Lisa Skye or Deb Whitman.
F
Was It Worth More Than…
At $7.99, I could have bought these very nice shredder scissors:
It’s a close call, but as most of my Slott comics are digital, I don’t’ have as big of a need for these. Might as well spend your $8 on the comic.
What’s Next?
- Boomerang’s influence is finally felt, and Spider-Man joins the Superior Foes!
- Wait, that’s not possible, is it?
- IS IT?!?!
Walloping Web Shooters! THIS I WOULD PAY $8 FOR! THIS!
Plus we have the Syndicate the following issue!!!! Spencer, take my $$$$!
Nick Lowe has asked people to let the Spider office know how they are doing by sending an email to spideyoffice@marvel.com and to make sure you mark it “OK to print”. If you get published, make sure to draw our attention to it!
‘Nuff Said!
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@ Der Professor – Really odd. That would be an interesting concept to leave it unfinished. I believe you are right in that they just wanted to show that JJJ/Spidey and Spidey/Strange parallel. It is almost like a creative writing class assignment to just practice that dialogue. That was by far the best part of the story and was enough (to me) to overlook the other weirdness to it. I’m not a Dr. Strange fan, so maybe if I was, I would find the Die Chromator more intriguing.
Dark Mark “The second story was odd! It was obviously part 1 of a longer story, but there was no “Check PPTSM #134 for the rest!” or anything. I wonder when we are going to be getting it (not because I want to read it, but just because I’m a curious type of fellow).”
Don’t think there will ever be a part 2 to the story. I think the entire emphasis/conceit of the story is that Peter was mad with Jonah for being a gate-crasher at his house draggin him off on a mission that he had no interest in, and by the end of the story Spider-man is the gatecrasher on Bleeker Street, invading Doc Strange’s multi-dimensional domicile to drag HIM off on a mission that he HAD no interest in. And Spidey never realizes the irony. The villians, the action, the final fight, none of these is the focus of the story. All the rest is left to your imagination…
@Aaron TE Price – I skipped over the recap page, but marketing has been pushing this as being a male and the brainwashed Mysterio was saying it was male. We know that the brainwashed Mysterio knew the real name because Kindred was pissed that Mysterio told him. While I can’t say for certain, I am pretty sure that it has to be a male.
@Evan – I think Vin and Michelle are too obscure to be the big reveal, plus, they are not dead, which it seems is a requirement for Kindred’s identity. Also, don’t give Spencer any ideas about bringing them back! What are you thinking? If he is going to bring anyone back, let’s have the triumphant return of Lonesome Pinky!
@DCMarvelFanGuy – I less frustrated by the lack of clues knowing that issue #24 in vol 1 was the Rinehart issue and I just missed the connection. I wanted some hint, it was given, and I missed it, so I can’t fault anyone but me on that one. I agree about next issue! I can’t wait!
What stood out to me as a clue to Kindred’s identity was on the recap page when referring to the character they used gender-neutral pronouns, which would seem to hint at it being a woman.
Whatever happened to Vin Gonzalez, or his sister Michelle (MG), for that matter? Nick Spencer wouldn’t do that to us, would he? Just as long as it’s not Lily Hollister, I’m happy.
Everything with the Ludwig Rinehart fake out worked for me. I thought he looked familiar in 24. I even thought “Rinehart?” I didn’t think that was possible though considering he was talking to Mysterio. Like Kindred says, Beck is method. He tried to pull a fast one on Kindred. That’s why he said “You’re doing this! Aren’t you?” It’s because he’s trying to sell his disguise and shake Kindred off by making his former therapist the patsy. Classic Mysterio. Also, I am also incredibly excited for next issue as a fan of Superior Foes!
Lastly, major props to JR for also noticing the Ludwig Rinehart appearance last issue on the panel’s reviews.
@ William & @Anthony —————— William – I did not piece the the ASM 24 link together – kudos to you! I did not put an extra credit in this post, but I’m giving it to you for finding that! Nice! I will agree that Spencer makes Cooper into a different character, which is unlike him. He usually resets a character to their default, but I think this may be forgivable by the fact that Cooper doesn’t seem to have a default. She was written so wildly by the Brain Trust that I never got a good feel for who she was. You are correct, though, her role could be played by anybody here and the only thing she brings to the table is that she also knows what MJ is going through, which is, I’m sure, the key reason Spencer brought her back. __________________________________ Anthony – The second story was odd! It was obviously part 1 of a longer story, but there was no “Check PPTSM #134 for the rest!” or anything. I wonder when we are going to be getting it (not because I want to read it, but just because I’m a curious type of fellow).
@Danny and @Matt ————— Danny – I thought about that early on I took a look at his appearance over different issues. There is a difference in the color scheme, but I think at this point that it was just a fault of the different artists/colorists that gave us any difference. Slott – NO!!!! 🙂 ______________________________ Matt – the wall of pictures suggest that, but I think looking at us already having too many versions of that out on both comics and animations would keep Spencer from going there. I’m going out on a limb and saying that Kindred is from 616.
Great review! More or less agree with everything said. Here’s my seven hundred and niniety nine cents lol –
Page three made me yell “OH SH***!” in public! I figured Mysterio would not be dead but I didn’t see that coming.
Peter saying, “…I’m about to miss my date! MJ is gonna kill me, but it can’t be helped,” reminded me of a line Spider-Man has in Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3. “Ugh… Late again. MJ’s gonna kill me.” Might be a coincidence, but for me it was awesome since when I read Spider-Man in comics in my head he sounds like Josh Keaton so it was exrtra cool for me since Josh also provides Spider-Man’s voice in UMvC 3!
As a Gundam fan I really enjoyed those robots looking a little like Zaku, the classic enemies for Gundam! They can’t shoot laser beams out of their eyes though ha ha!
Loved Spencer’s story but having several artists on it was distracting at times. Ramos doing Spider-Man’s scenes worked but the Lizard lecture hall pages took me out of it. So A-.
The JJJ story I don’t know I can take it or leave it. Loved Nuack’s pencils, but Wells attempting a Spider-Man and Doctor Strange story? This is not something that is going to live up to the Lee and Ditko annual or Spider-Man Fever so I wish they left this idea alone unless Grant Morrison or someone else who is tripping on acid wants to take a crack at it. B.
The bot story? Oh god Silk and Peter banging who the hell wants to remember that in an issue that’s very Peter Parker x MJ centric oh dear lord… F -.
Overall would give the entire issue a B+. Spencer’s story is so good it makes up for everything else.
I like that they didn’t waste any time showing Mysterio wasn’t really dead, and the explanation for how he survived was really good, I knew the psychiatrist looked a lot like Mysterio’s Ludwig disguise, but for some reason I didn’t connect the dots. A small detail I really love retroactively: Ludwig originally appeared in issue 24 of ASM volume 1, now he’s appeared again in issue 24, volume 5! I have to admit, I was expecting more of Kindred in this issue than we got, but what we did get was still interesting, and I’m still excited to see more of him.
The return of MJ’s acting career was really welcome for me, as I’d been missing it a lot (I just don’t think any of the careers she’s had otherwise were nearly as interesting or fitting for her) and with how we got an exploration of her mental state and decision to return to acting, I felt like she was an equal star of the comic to Peter, just like when they were a married couple. I really liked Electro in this issue as well, her scheme was fun and pretty unique, and her love of MJ’s acting and hatred of Melanie gave her a lot of personality. As for Carlie Cooper, her fan-girling over Melanie also gave her personality here, but she could pretty easily have been replaced by any number of MJ and Peter’s friends without making much difference. I appreciate Spencer trying to redeem her, but in making her somewhat likeable, he made her seem like quite a different character than the one we’ve come to know. On a final note, I liked that the lives of the Fantastic Four have been made into a stage musical in the Marvel Universe and the implication that this is a common practice for significant heroes, it adds authenticity to the world and helps it feel bigger. Plus, MJ looks great in the FF uniform!
I agree that the last story was lacklustre and kind of dumb, I could instantly tell it wasn’t written by Spencer, and I’m just glad it’s not going to be the main story next time.
This issue was mediocre. I am thinking we are going back to the Spiderverse.
guilt*
ugh
Almost starting to think Kindred may not be a single being so much as a manifestation of Peter’s own guild and self-doubt. At least, that’s what the “meeting through friends” bit started to make me wonder.
I really hope Spencer doesn’t leave that up in the air, with our luck Slott would come back just for one issue to decide who this is and ruin it.