Chi-Town’s Breakdown: The Amazing Mary Jane #4

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Leah Williams (Writer)                      Chi-Town Spidey (Review)
Carlos Gomez (Artist)                        Brad Douglas (E.I.C)
Carlos Lopez  (Colors).
Various Artists (Cover Artist)           
Kathleen Wisneski (Asst Editor)
Nick Lowe (Exec. Editor)
C.B. Cebulski (E.I.C)
                                              Recap: Despite losing Ken Gullapalli (their lead actor) and all but ONE investor, things were finally looking up for Mary Jane, Cage McKnight (Quentin Beck/Mysterio in disguise), and the crew of his film, DOWN IN FLAMES, UP IN SMOKE (Irony anyone?).  Legendary actor Sonny Diperna joined the cast!  But then the Savage Six Attacked   MJ and Mysterio helped everyone escape to a secret abandoned zoo to finish the film.  The Savage Six vowed to ruin the the production…if they can find out where it is.  

Story:  Charlie, the guy playing Spider-Man in this movie, believes that this movie is cursed and decides to quit.  MJ tries to urge him to stay but he refuses throwing a reality check speech in front of her and the rest of the crew.  Mysterio doesn’t take it too well and has him removed from he set.  There is no time or budget to recast Spider-Man so Mary Jane decides to play the part.  The last scene that they need to film Spidey has his mask on and Mary Jane convinces Mysterio that he can use his illusion power effects to hide the woman in Spider-Man.  Sonny Diperna is having trouble getting the “PAPS” of his tail so Screwball lends a hand by sending her drones to give Sonny the edge he needs to get away and get to the set.  * Mary Jane and Master Matrix have a heart to heart talk about why she hasn’t told Peter everything about what she’s doing.  The paparazzi make a deal with the Savage Six and become the living nightmare to every actor/producer/director in Hollywood.  It gets awful and the cast in the crew find out that the Savage Six is looking for them when they are so close to finishing.  Sonny has a guest appearance schedule on a talk show that he’s going to use to promote the movie.  Vulture plan does work and the paparazzi have delivered some information on where the film location is.  Mary Jane calls Peter to remind him that she looks better in the Spidey costume than he ever would, but gets cut sort just when she is about to be truthful to Peter.  Savage Six find Charlie and make him tell them where the new location is.

Thoughts:  Gotta say and I’m relieved to say that, this is a step up from last issue.  The writing and art is fluent and consistent.  Williams makes this issue fun and energetic. We actually get some characterization in there as well to explain certain things that I definitely have been grinding about. Master Matrix and Mary Jane having the heart to heart about what she’s doing because * Master Matrix knows that Spider-Man and Peter Parker are one in the same!  See Spider-Man/Deadpool #33-40 to understand how that came about.  Mary Jane comes clean with Master Matrix in she hasn’t found the way to tell Peter that she’s actually working with Mysterio!  Mary Jane believes in this project and wants Mysterio to have his redemption.  She believes that Beck is putting in the work to make this thing work in order to redeem himself.  MJ is a apart of that and yes, that could boost her career.  She took down Electro in ASM#25 and now she’s helping Mysterio redeem himself in this story.  All with her acting abilities.  Williams also makes it clear that Mary Jane is aware of what happens if this thing goes south and it makes her sick to her stomach.

Despite her intentions to make this madness of a movie a success I feel that this talk with Master Matrix was nessaccary for Mary Jane.  To talk it out and come to the conclusion that she does indeed need to talk to Peter.  However, thanks to Gomez’s brilliant illustration when it comes to facial expressions…she realizes that she should have done that a long time ago when she had the time to do it.  Peter’s a busy guy at the moment.  I’ll be interesting to see what happens next issue and that is where Williams will shine.  She has stated “Part of my joy in writing this is I get to showcase how good they are together. “

Despite this movie having it’s flaws and hurdles it’s good to know that Beck treats Mary Jane fairly.  Very rare, but if an employee is passionate about a project at the same level as his/her boss, then that boss treats them fairly and with respect.  Beck refers to MJ as “saving grace” to this entire project and rightfully so.  He understands that ANY other actress would have bailed, he takes a chance to “come clean” with Mary Jane in issue one and it has paid off.  MJ stated in ASM#25 that she cared more about the business aspect of acting than the wealth and the fame and Williams continues to right that into this series.  That’s the jewel inside this comic series.  It’s not about superheroes and action all the time, it’s about character development and the growth they go through on this journey.  We are loving the Peter and Mary Jane scenes, but the Beck and Mysterio scenes are humorous to read thanks to Williams writing and Gomez’s art.  I think there will be a redemption for Mysterio when this comes to a close and somehow or someway, not sure how I predict this, but whatever Kindred is planning, Mysterio is going to help Mary Jane in some way, shape or form that will allow Beck a full redemption.  These mini’s always have a way of playing out to the main series.  

Speaking of humorous action, let’s give it up for Vulture and his Savage Six!  I can’t help but think that both Williams and Gomez were giggling their asses off when they wrote and illustrated the paparazzi in full vulture wing gear terrorizing the producers.  They have been known to be called “Vultures” so it fits perfectly with the scene.  You can’t help but laugh.  Who doesn’t want to see Stegron chowing down a drum stick and Rhino checking out a center fold?  This is the humor and magic of the book as well.  

This issue is a delight to read.  I wanted to see more of MJ coming clean with Peter, and honestly Peter should have walked out of the science lab to talk to MJ.  Williams is on track with character growth and seed planting and Gomez is the consistent artist.  It’s a good team and guess what?!  After issue 5…we are getting five MORE!!!  You did it!!!

GRADE: A-