Snapshot! Spider-man: Spider’s Shadow #2

Writer: Chip Zdarsky

Artist: Pasqual Ferry

This morning my phone pinged.

It was Comixology telling me I had a new title to read. Spider-Man: Spider’s Shadow #2. I was more excited than I expected to be. I knew a new release was coming, and I had enjoyed the previous issue, but still I was surprised by my very vocal “woohoo”. I think I’d been looking forward to this more than I knew. Does issue 2 live up to my own hype?

Depth of Field: This issue deals with the aftermath of Spider-Man’s actions in issue one. Specifically the murder of Roderick Kingsley. Neatly resolving the debate from the previous issue. He is dead. Now the focus of the series is expanded, and looks at how Mary Jane, the Bugle staff and the Sinister Six react to the murder.

Focal Point: I’m going to give a small spoiler warning here, read on if you’re okay with that. I imagine this is one people may trade wait on. If so, know this, I enjoyed this issue as much as the first and encourage you to pick it up.

Okay.

This escalated quickly. Tired of the Bugle’s constant criticism Spider-Man pays Jonah a visit. This is not your usual web his feet to the floor and quip away visit. This is “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore”. Spider-Man breaks Jonah’s hand, and promises to come break the other one if he sees his name in print again.

And Jonah got off lightly. On seeing the change in Spider-Man’s mood Fisk sends The Shocker and Scorpion to confront him. I really liked Fisk’s concern here. He accepts Spider-Man’s usual interference, he’s even planned for it as an acceptable loss in profit. Though now Spider-Man is killing he needs to be re-evaluated. Later Spider-Man arrives at Fisk’s office with the remains of the Shocker and Scorpion. Fisk reveals he’s discovered Peter’s true identity, and Peter throws that final punch he didn’t deliver in Back in Black.

Doctor Octopus can see what we see. This book is not afraid of a death count, so decides to assembles the new Sinister Six (himself, Kraven, Electro, Rhino, Mysterio….and J. Jonah Jameson) to hatch a plan to take down this new Spider-Man. I know it’s not really in character for the Master Planner, but I really liked that Ock assigned Kraven to come up with the strategy for going after Spider-Man, relying on his expertise as a hunter. It’s adds a depth t0 his character we haven’t seen before, should this issue be titled What If Otto admitted he wasn’t the best at everything?

The book isn’t all death, though. MJ visits Peter to try and discover the truth about what she’s seen in the papers. This sequence explores how Peter feels about his actions. He is unsure that his new approach is right, and MJ learning he was a killer was his main motivation for holding back. Peter still feels guilt that his actions are wrong and his concern for MJ rings true. Without May, MJ is all that connects him to his life as Peter Parker and he wanted to maintain that connection for as long as he could. The symbiote convinces him he is now more than human and able to make decisions other humans can’t. Peter leaves MJ alone in his apartment to resume his rampage.

With regard to the art, if Ferry is available I’d like to see him on a regular title. He drew classic Spider-Man characters in this issue in a way you’d think he’d been drawing them for years. He is able to make you feel as though you are reading any issue of Amazing Spider-Man, then suddenly yank you into this new darker dimension. The scene at the Bugle as a prime example, when a standard Jonah and Robbie fight takes a dark turn.

Photobombed: The book ends on a cliff-hanger and a surprise reveal. After ending his Teams meeting with the Sinister Six, Ock is attacked (and killed?) by one of his minions. My first thought was that Spider-Man had infiltrated the meeting, but it’s revealed as Eddie Brock. Honestly an element to this story I wasn’t expecting but at the same time a welcome addition. Can you explore what if Peter kept the suit, without acknowledging the impact this would have on Eddie?

Negative Exposure: I think it’s been widely reported that this four issue mini-series will now be five issues. I’m happy with that, more of a story I’m enjoying is not a bad thing. However, the extra issue was added as the story was getting too big for four issues, that being said this issue omitted a seemingly very important scene. MJ remarks she’s not seen Peter since “the funeral”. I assume she means May’s funeral. May’s death is the driving force behind Peter’s motivation, and not including any scenes from the funeral seems like a mistake. The downside of these What If stories is that some times they require story elements to be glossed over to get to the more interesting twists. Let’s hope the extra issue gives the book the breathing space to conclude in a satisfying way.

Grade: B, another strong issue. Clear and simple art, and building on the set up from the previous issue.

Zoom In: What did you think of Spider’s Shadow? Let me know in the comments!

• Adam (alias AdamBParker)