The Chi-Town Breakdown: ASM: 60

Intro:  This is it folks!  Based on that cover image we are to assume to get the answers that we’ve have been desperately waiting for…or do we?  The cover isn’t as misleading as you may think it is, and you really NEED to think about this issue.  No worries, I’ll walk you through it.  Want to know more?  You asked for it, now sit back, relax and strap on in!  It’s time for The Chi-Town Breakdown!  Right here, on the Spider-Man Crawlspace! 

                   
(Writer) Nick Spencer
(Artist) Mark Bagley
(Inker) Andrew Crossley and John Dell
(Colorist) Rachelle Rosenberg
(Letterer) VC’s Joe Caramagna
(Editor) Nick Lowe
(EIC) C.B. Cebulski
Date Released 2/24/2021
Issue Number #60
Price Tag: $3.99
For a different perspective:
Alford’s Notes and Read’s Reads

Story Time:  Peter is having a hard time finding resolution from the situation with Kindred who has revealed to be his former best friend, Harry Osborn.  That cues our favorite redhead, Mary Jane, to take him to a club where she preformed her first gig at.  That may entice you to take a look at ASM 96 on Marvel Unlimited.  Her suggestion is for Peter to act as if Harry was there on stage with him.  To voice out his concerns, questions, and frustrations in hopes to finding the resolution he’s yearning for.  This tactic worked for MJ when Gwen died, so Peter gives it a shot.  He pours out what’s on his mind to Kindred, who he has imagined is on stage with him.  Peter gets deep within his monologue and ends it with tears rolling down his eyes in an embracing hug with Mary Jane.  MJ has stated she’s staying in New York with Peter and after a quick change into Spider-Man, he heads off to class.  Now alone, Mary Jane confronts Mysterio.  The rest of the filming and editing will take place in New York and she questions Mysterio’s involvement to Kindred.  Which leads us to a panel of Dr. Strange busting in, what looks like to be a casino,  confronting Mephisto himself!  

THE KEYPOINTS.  Was it addressed?
* Dr. Strange come back?  YES!
* What happened the Carlie? – YEP.  Voicemail that sounded disturbing and then a text message later saying she had to go out of town.  So basically Spencer put a pin on that one.  
* Peter and Mary Jane talk about the current events and what happened in AMJ – No, however she did mention she’s putting a pin on that until later.
* Does Peter propose? No.
* With the obvious teases. Does this relate to OMD? – This issue TOTALLY CONFIRMS IT!
* What is the BIG SIN that Kindred is referring to that Peter needs to confess too? Still another “tease” to OMD

The Breakdown:

• Peter’s speech and motivation
• The Amazing Mary Jane
• OMD confirmed
• Going forward
• Nitpics
• Grade.

Peter’s Speech:  One of the great things about Spencer’s first issue of ASM was Peter’s speech.  How to be Spider-Man and to do it right, he needs Mary Jane.  This issue basically expands that momentum of that one particular page full of panels.  What Spencer is doing here is giving the character what he’s been missing for the last past decade.  Growth and Maturity.  Spider-Man can be anyone, from a teenage boy to a 40 year old man.  That appealed a lot to fans everywhere about this superhero and what’s more appealing is that he started to accept responsibility for his actions at such a young age.  To have the life hurdles and struggles, then learn and GROW from them.  It shows so much richness in the character and the supporting cast.  Spencer goes deep with Peter and admits, much like Superman, he’s a family bread type of guy.  Wife, Kids, a good job, Peter want’s all that stuff.  It’s what he was raised on.  Not having this, Peter felt like he was already in hell.
He even goes further to explain his relationship with Harry.  Every time Kindred “killed” Peter, all our hero could do is think about how it used to be.  It hurt Peter even more that his best friend was “Ben 27″ing him.  Being executed via “clone-batter remix” by your dead best friend…OUCH!  However, Peter still wants to help Harry.  He’s was angry and still is, yet he still wants to do the right thing.  Despite everything the Obsorn’s have done with him, he’s not done with them yet.  I also lthink Spencer likes to put the audience is Peter’s shoes.  I mean it’s pretty obvious…

<– Fans that are put in Peter’s shoes
What is the big sin Peter is supposed to confess to?
Why can’t Harry JUST EXPAIN it to us?
How did Harry get this way?
How is Peter responsible for it?

All I can say is that Nick Spencer hears us.  These issues will be addressed and yes the story is getting long, but just sit back and enjoy the ride.  I know it’s feeling like it’s one subplot after another and already addressing things we already know.  We are close, but seems to be getting more questions than answers.  I’m right there with you and after reading the last five issue, I kinda want to cut to the chase.  However, Spencer has fulfilled us with some splendid story telling with not just Peter, but the supporting cast as well.  Tell me you are not excited to see Fred Meyers again or the Robertson/Tombstone dram that is about to occur.  More hits than misses and even when I complain, I’m not going to complain too much, because I am enjoying the ride.

The Amazing Mary Jane:  Spencer once again harkins back to his first ASM issue where MJ states “This is our story, it always was.”.  Life found a way you could say.  Mary Jane is staying home right were she belongs, not in front or behind, but beside Peter.  She’s helping Peter get through what he needs to get through.  I love how Spencer gets these two so well and how this isn’t “NEW”.  This has been done many times before…

This issue reminded me of Spider-Man Unlimited (Vol. 1)#18.  Another shining example of how MJ can keep Peter grounded and relaxed.  Being a superhero isn’t easy and having someone you can share that experience with is very relatable and a human thing.  Especially if that someone accepts the responsibility and actually takes part in their super heroic activity.  Spencer has shown his hand when dealing these cards and it’s a hand that was sorely missed throughout a decade.  It’s not rushed or forced in, it’s gradually applied within the characters that is welcomed, supportive and loved.  Not just by future writers to go off on, but by the fans themselves.

Mysterio is back with the events that took place in The Amazing Mary Jane #1-5.  One could argue that this may bring drama to the Peter/MJ relationship, but like I said on our Discord Chanel (which you all should join)…There will be drama and she’ll have to come clean. Peter trusts her to make good decisions even if he doesn’t agree with them, him being the ever loving “protector”.  MJ is helping Peter cope with Kindred. She made that decision and isn’t going anywhere and is putting Peter first over her career.  My guess. Peter will see that and respect it. Even make him love her more. Let’s face it, he’s a damn superhero with a hectic life & made some bad decisions. He’s shouldn’t judge.  However. drama will arrive but Spencer writes these two really well so I honestly think there’s nothing to worry about.

Spencer is writing these two characters in a very real and mature fashion.  Committed, supportive, and loving.  How a good couple, a true loving couple with SO MUCH HISTORY should be written.

One More Day Confirmed!

Calm down, let’s breakdown what we KNOW.

1. It’s now confirmed.  Spencer is going to address OMD.  There’s been MANY teases, but no real true confirmation, until NOW.  Remember me telling you to “enjoy the ride”?  We are not going to see this conversation between Mephisto and Dr. Strange next issue or anytime soon.  At least, that’s my best guess.  Even Nick Lowe said the next issue is all about “ACTION”.  We gotta get through The Kingpin/Boomerang and Robertson/Tombstone drama storylines first.  “Come on Chi-Town!  We waited so long for this!!!”  I agree, I want this as badly as you do, but like I said “Enjoy the ride”.  One story leads to the next and hats off to Spencer for keeping steady on the cliffhangers.
2. Mephisto says he never heard of “Kindred”.  Don’t believe it.  He may have not heard of “Kindred” but I betcha he knows of “Harry Osborn”.  He’s going to have some fun with the good doctor and my guess is the spell will be undone by or at issue 100.
3. Dr. Strange is on attack mode.  He wants answers and is going to get them.  Mephisto may even give him the answers he’s seeking.  Villains like to spill the beans of their plans.  Or maybe another deal may need to be struck.  Dr. Strange will find out and will find a way to “fix” what has been done.  To restore what has been taken.  In OMD, he couldn’t help (cause of editorial reasons) in OMIT he was part of the story (because of more editorial reasons) and like us Spidey-Fans, he’s ticked about that.

Nitpics:

• Why does Dr. Strange look like J Jonah Jameson?  Come on Bagley…
• Does Mysterio know Peter’s secret?  Peter ran with his mask exposed….he had to have seen that.
• Correct me if I’m wrong, I thought Mephisto was “dead”.  How did he come back and get a casino?

Grade:  A  So we got confirmation that Spencer will address OMD.  Supposedly that’s what turned Harry into Kindred.  MJ is back in this title and Peter is going to get a new job.  Fitting how this almost mirrors OMD coming into BND, except this time it’ll be good.  *looks at new costume*……….okay…there are some drawbacks.  Spencer writing is on tee even if the story drags a bit and Bagley splash pages are nice.  He needs to sharpen it up though on characters that are a far distance in panels.  This issue “settles” my questions on Last Remains and looking forward to issues to come.  To be honest, I’m a bit of in the mix with this issue but looking at it from a positive light.  What are your thoughts?  Comment below!