Snapshot! Savage Spider-Man #2

Writer: Joe Kelly

Artist: Gerardo Sandoval

Can a leopard change its spots? Since rebooting I hoped they delays that plagued this book (back when it was hilariously called Non-Stop) where a thing of the past. Unfortunately not as it was almost two months since the last issue came out.

Maybe Marvel could stop putting out four issues of Amazing a month, and focus on one Amazing and one STRONG B-title. Amazing’s shipping schedule have made it unfordable for me, and this B title seems to be an after thought.

But you didn’t come here for my rantings. You came for a review of Savage Spider-Man #2, so here we go….

Depth of Field: On an abandoned tropical island the Savage Spider-Man (Alpha) prepares to have his followers fight Zemo – gladiator style. While back out in the world the Immaculatum prepare to release their drug on a large population.

Focal point: If you have a drink ready, take a sip, and prepare to do a spit take. There was a lot of this issue that I enjoyed.

I’ll give you a moment to clean up the mess you’ve made.

Believe me, Amazon made reading this as difficult as they could, but despite their useless app, I found myself engaged with this issue. Alpha watching from his throne as Zemo fights his zombie minions was a lot of fun. If you’re an old school Zemo fan his Deadpool style dialogue may irritate you. But I’m not made of stone, parts of it made me laugh and I have no experience of true Zemo.

Eventually Alpha tires of Zemo’s taunts and joins the fight himself. Determined to kill Zemo where his minions had failed. Unfortunately for Alpha some Hydra goons show up and tip the scales in Zemo’s favour.

Alpha and his A-Plus ineffected zombies are torn apart by the Hydra soldiers. And one specific enforcer whose not named, but looks like a mid tier boss in a video game. The issue ends with Zemo putting Alpha on a leash.

Is this a new or inventive story. No. Was it fun watching a well drawn fight scene. Yes. Yes it was. Sandoval (with some support on inks) has given this book a consistent look that it was previously lacking. Every character looks and moves as they should, in a believable way. I can feel the punches. I really hope Sandoval is given a project that has stakes and consequences as I think his art could really thrive with that kind of story.

Development tank: We get snippets of Peter’s thoughts through his signature caption boxes. Alpha’s thoughts are shown as big dramatic letters, while Peter’s are still in the white box with the red boarder. You know the one I mean. It’s a cool visual that shows the different personalities inside the one body. Peter is desperate to help the minions as they are slaughtered by Hydra, and it’s good to know he’s still in there somewhere.

We also get a brief glimpse of someone else’s memories. Not the same person as last issue and it looks like Peter is experiencing the memories of those who have died after taking A Plus.

B Roll:  TheImmaculatum release A Plus on Memphis. And in true Watchman style they did it “twenty minutes ago”. Is this a call back to the Smiley badge in Non-Stop #1. If it is I don’t get it it.

Negative Exposure: The Immaculatum are the con for me. On the surface this is an interesting group. A “pure breed” from every race teaming up to kill all “non-pure breeds” is an interesting group of villains.

Though their dialogue is awful. I agree with them “war”, “oppression” and “selective democracy” are bad…I just don’t get how killing anyone of multiple heritage is going to fix that. Surely it will just make humanity more tribal? All they say are buzz words that make you think they are killing a town with noble reasons. With no real explanation for their action.

Grade: B-

Zoom In: What did you think of Savage Spider-Man? Let me know in the comments!

Adam