(Writer) Nick Spencer
(Artist) Marcelo Ferreira
(Inker) Wayne Faucher
(Colorist) Morry Hollowell
(Letterer) VC’s Joe Caramagna
(Editor) Nick Lowe
(EIC) C.B. Cebulski
Date Released 1/27/2021
Issue Number #58
Price Tag: $3.99
For a different perspective: Alford’s Notes
Story Time: We start off with Spider-Man vs the Inner Demons, the new Broadway play brought you by Sony Play Station. Aunt May is caring for Martin Li like a lost little puppy dog at the F.E.A.S.T center. Li gives a backstory on how his sins/powers left him and now they are coming back. Peter explains to Liz that Harry has relapsed into his evil ways and Normie Osborn confirms it by showing his mom the secret room. Norman Osborn warns Peter that The Kingpin is in cahoots with the Inner Demons and we get a flashback to Kindred telling Wilson Fisk “No.”
The Breakdown:
- F.E.A.S.T your eyes.
- Osborn Legacy.
- “No” Kingpin
- Nitpics
- Grade
F.E.A.S.T your eyes:
So who is Martin Li running from? Himself. More accurately, the “Negative” side of himself. In the past we’ve seen Martin fight for balance between the good and bad. Ultimately he gave in, but once he was cleansed he felt free and once you feel freedom, you never want to give it up. Mr Negative has returned, but Martin Li is able to cast that side out. His “sins” aren’t even allowed to enter the F.E.A.S.T center because it’s considered a “Holy Place.” Is that why Mr. Li created it in the first place? If he were able to escape the negative side of him, the F.E.A.S.T center is considered a safe haven for him to catch his breathe. However, the Inner Demons (being mortal) can enter the center, thankfully Spider-Man is there. Much to think about…if the F.E.A.S.T center is considered holy ground, would it be possible to keep spiritual demons like Kindred out? Could Peter use that place to keep people safe from his wrath. Maybe he could bring Liz and her kids there, so Harry won’t stalk them in their sleep again.
The Osborn Legacy:
Speaking of Liz Osborn, poor woman can’t seem to catch a break. What’s more interesting is Normie Osborn. Props to Nick Spencer, finally maturing the kid! He’s been through so much during his childhood it’s nice to acknowledge that he’s not a little kid anymore and even Peter sees that. The question still remains is that secret room for Harry or for Norman. Remember, Norman did state that Liz’s house is under surveillance. So I’m not entirely sold on that hidden room being Harry’s. It could be either Norman’s before he got cleansed, or even Normie’s. Maybe’s he embracing the Osborn Goblin Legacy and preparing for it. I mean, the kid DID know the combo to get into that room.
“No” Kingpin:
Much like us, Wilson Fisk is growing impatient and feels like Kindred has dragged out too long. We still don’t know what Kingpin wants from Kindred or why in this particular story, was denied via a flashback. When we first saw the two interact, it seemed like Kingpin owed him, now it looks like he’s getting his revenge for Kindred denying him. Kindred did warn Fisk to stay away from Peter or else, which implies that he has the power to give Fisk what he wants. The clues point toward Venessa. Alive or dead if you mess with or even tarnish Fisk’s wife, you will feel his wrath. I’m theorizing that’s what Kingpin is after with Kindred.
Nitpics:
- Much like Bagley’s art, Ferreira’s art can be a hit or miss. Granted I’m not artist myself and wouldn’t know how to draw a good face if I tried, but why is Peter’s face “melting” right here?
- Seem we got more story set-ups than answers. Mr Negative and Kingpin storylines to look forward to, but I’m more interesting in Harry Osborn/Lyman resolution. Are they the same or two different people. Let’s get that resolved please. Peter’s proposal to Mary Jane and her explaining the events that happened in Amazing Mary Jane need to be addressed as well. I feel we are waiting too long for that, but I predict we will see that addressed in ASM #60. Based on the cover image.
Grade:
Giving this one a “B-“. As I stated before, this issue is more “set up story lines” than “resolution to past story lines”. If you can get based the fact that the Kindred story is dragging along, it’s a good issue and there are some really cool Ferreira art in here, especially with Peter being all torn up Spidey suit and not taking any more crap from anyone.
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@Aqu: I hear you on that. Bagley has been known to miss a few things here and there. He does draw his big red spider a bit more differently than he did in the 90’s. He seems to have taken the Ultimate likeness and added it to the 616 verse. Good eye!
I’ll just say one thing: it really irks me when the spider on the back has less legs than eight (usually just six), but when it happens on a COVER, it gets me really upset. Like, isn’t there a quality check department at Marvel?! The cover is how you’re selling your product!
@Mark: If the Li’s sins are having trouble, I bet Kindred would have issues as well, pretty solid right. Oh and as for the tag, I just learn from the master himself, pal. 😉
@Chi-Town – Wow! We both gave it the same grade? (quickly checks bible to see if it is a sign of the end of times) That’s a pretty good theory that the Holy Place F.E.A.S.T. might factor into Kindred’s story somehow. And don’t think I didn’t see your little petty tag on this article…
Bobby: Which scares me a bit! I knew the black was covering something and I honestly hope that issue 60 gives me a sigh of relief and happiness that Spider-Fans have been begging for the last decade. Spencer added so much character depth between Peter and MJ, that Marvel can’t use the excuse “There’s not History between them” to justify it.
Sthenurus: Rather have a definite answer than theorizing and guessing that Kindred and Lyman are two separate people. Want it written or have the two interact with each other.
William: I have to agree. The “cleansed” Martin Li is a pretty interesting read, like reading “cleansed” Norman. Both are different by far. Martin always wanted to be good but fought the Negative side, Norman on the other hand embraced it for power. I’m guessing by next issue we’ll see more of that dynamic between Martin Li and Mr. Negative.
Honestly, this issue was probably the most interesting thing done with Mr Negative in years, too bad it’s come just when we were wanting more of the Kindred arc! I almost wish we could’ve saved the Mr Negative stuff for later, so it could’ve just been a classic self-contained Spidey story, instead of feeling like a distraction from everything else going on.
I’d say the best thing about the art was that Spidey’s costume looked great, the worst thing was definitely the faces… Norman’s look in particular seriously distracted me, I don’t know if I’d have been able to tell it was even him if they hadn’t mentioned his name!
Great review! As expected more mystery and still no answer. I think that the theme of duality with mister negative as well as the reveal of the goblin gear might however another “proof” that harry Lyman and kindred are 2 separate beings.
There seems to be a new cover release for issue 60 for velentines says it’s a peaceful valentines for Peter and MJ…but with one of kindreds centipedes surrounding them as a heart
@Jonathan: Thanks man. We still don’t know the extend of Kindred’s powers and abilities. It’s like every Wednesday there’s something new.
@David: Ah! See? I don’t read that title. Thanks for pointing that out.
The room with the goblin gear actually appeared in Web of Venom: The Good Son, which explains how Normie knows the code (it’s his date of birth), Spencer is just acknowledging it as canon to his run
Great review Chi-Town. They are definitely implying there are two Harry’s. Can Kindred multiply or be at two places at once? He’s both in the case and seemed to be at the morgue attacking Carlie. I get that Peter is pissed at Norman and with good reason but let the man speak. Then punch him later.