Greetings Crawlspacers! So last issue didn’t give us the answers we were looking for and this issue is no better. This issue just raises MORE questions. Are we going to see what takes place after events that ended in ASM 2? You betcha, but don’t worry, those “buzz killers” at Marvel will dangle that “Peter and MJ” carrot for you to chase another time, they’ve played that game for a decade before Spencer’s run came around. After putting the tight squeeze on Spidey, Tombstone drives into a warehouse with White Rabbit closing the door behind them. Let’s find out what happens next.
(Writer) Zeb Wells
(Artist) John Romita Jr
(Colorist) Marcio Menyz
(Letterer) VC’s Joe Caramagna
(Editor) Nick Lowe
(EIC) C.B. Cebulski
Date Released 6/8/2022
Issue Number #3 LGY #897
Price Tag: $4.99
STORY: Paul wants to talk to Peter about not calling Mary Jane anymore. Instead he pays off the collection services agent to leave Peter alone for a couple of weeks. There’s a twist in the story and Janice asks Randy to marry her instead of the other way around. White Rabbit hijacks Robby Roberston’s limo with Robbie inside. Spider-Man is s helpless while Tombstone delivers a severe beating to him in an abandon subway tunnel, that just so happens to be underneath his safehouse (that’s convenient). We then get a metaphoric backstory speech on lions from Tombstone. If you ask me, Christopher Walken did it better in the movie Poolhall Junkies. Basically, Lonnie was bullied as a kid and that started his path towards crime. Tombstone’s goons dress up in Rose goons clothing and they both head on up to create some chaos leaving Spider-Man (in a possible escapable situation) to die.
Tombstone leaving is like…
THE BREAKDOWN:
- Paypal Paul
- Bullied Lonnie
- Interior Motives
- Nitpicks
- Grade
PAYPAL PAUL: After reading this issue, I collected my thoughts (and nerves) so I could put together on who I think this Paul character is. Over on our discord, member Vaegrin said exactly what I was thinking. So I share this with you.
There are things about the Peter, Paul, and Mary Jane situation that don’t add up yet.
In issue #1, Peter thinks about the people who think he let them down and decides: “May, Randy, Norman… they’re all right. But MJ…” This could be Peter vaguely alluding to not being able to accept the way things stand, but the word “but” implies contrast. What’s the “but”? Does MJ think Peter let her down, but unlike the others, she’s not right? Or unlike the others, does MJ not think Peter let her down?
As has been remarked before, the kids can’t possibly be MJ’s in the time since the breakup. In issue #1, Paul asks MJ if she’s okay. When she says she’s good, he says, “You’re gonna need to be better than good.” This does not seem like a normal thing to say. It could be as simple as a suggestion that the kids will want MJ to be happy to see them, but it feels a little off. It suggests Paul has expectations for how MJ needs to act around the kids.
In issue #3, Paul has a conversation with MJ about confronting Peter for “making some phone calls I don’t appreciate.” How did he find out about those calls? Presumably from MJ. But in issue #1, when Peter calls MJ, MJ hides in the closet before taking the call. You don’t physically hide in your house to take a phone call unless you’re hiding from someone in the house. She doesn’t want Paul to know that Peter called. But he found out anyway.
Also in issue #3, Paul is clearly made out to be upset that Peter called MJ, not only based on his comments to the bill collector, but to the point that MJ is apparently worried about violence. But then he pays $1,500 to keep the collection agency off Peter’s back for a couple of weeks. Why? Paul says he “didn’t know” Peter was in the hospital for months and had bills, but that’s not plausible. What motivates Paul to donate $1,500 to a guy he’s angry with?
Paul tells MJ, “Love you, too.” But we don’t actually know what MJ said. A lot of what Paul does and says is ambiguous. It could be innocuous, but it could also suggest ulterior or even sinister motives.
Paul seems to be presumed to be a “likeable” guy, but I’m getting the vibe that he’s holding Mary Jane hostage and it appears that Paul and Peter have confronted before when Paul claimed he got “violent with Peter” because “he deserved it”. Look, I get confronting the EX, so Paul’s actions are valid. My wife had two ex-boyfriends who tried to cause trouble and THIS SPIDER confronted them, it’s relatable. However, Peter and Mary Jane have such a rich history that mirrors Lois and Clark that is this subplot worth anything, but drama?
This Six-Month-Mystery-Box-Gab. “What did Peter do” to cause this? Paul shows up. A cover tease with no outcome for ASM #2. Spidey Fans are expressing to wake them up when this plot is over, it’s unwelcomed and annoying. They want Peter and Mary Jane together and enjoy the story, not this carrot chase that Marvel is pulling. There’s no need for it. If Paul doesn’t believe on kicking a man while he’s down, then why is he “dating” that man’s gf?
When someone asks me what I think of Paul
BULLIED LONNIE: Stop me if you heard this before.
Boy gets bullied.
Boy has no support system to help overcome.
Boy realizes that this is forever the norm or fight back.
Boy fights back.
Boy feels power that leads to a dark path.
Boy becomes Criminal.
X+Y=Z. A simple algebra equation that can simplify life situations or the actual cause of said situation. If you know the “X” that leads to the “Z”, it’s time to figure out the “Y“! Zeb Wells beautifully writes on WHY Tombstone is a “Bad Guy”. So now we get a little inside look on why Tombstone is the way he is. I should consult with JR, our Spider-Historian, so to see if this has been mentioned before. Being bullied always leads to disaster. It’s been mention in Spider-Lore before. remember Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 2 #31? Sure, Peter Parker has been bullied before in HS, but he’s always had the Uncle Ben and Aunt May support system waiting for him at home. Lonnie didn’t have that, there was no safe space for him.
I like how he makes it known that if you interfere with his life, he’ll be sure to interfere with yours and make you regret it. To Tombstone, every interference in his life, becomes personal, from his career to his daughter’s hand. He’s making an example as to WHY it’s important, just to stay away from Tombstone. Moral of this story…DON’T BULLY PEOPLE to cause non-joking suffering, you never know where it may lead to.
INTERIOR MOTIVES: We suspect that Paul has interior motives and we KNOW Tombstone has interior motives, he basically outlined it out to a battered Spider-Man. Then you have these two…
Collection Service Agent: This guy is NOT a representative of the collection services. Even when Paul asks how much Peter owes, he resilient to give a ballpark number. However, he quickly replies with $1,500 when asked on how much it’ll take for him to go away for a couple of weeks. Collections don’t do that, they hound you until the depth is legally paid off. So who is this guy really? Why is he staking out at Peter’s place so much and using the hospital bills as cover? Collection Services usually just hound you over the phone, not in person. I could be wrong, but something about this guy is more than meets the eye.
Janice Lincoln: She know full well after meeting with her dad, that some thwip is going to hit the fan. Janice is pretty clever and is going to cover her assets. I think she knows that Tombstone will not take kindly to Randy asking for permission in her hand in marriage, so when the subject is hinted, SHE pulls the question out instead of him (not knowing that Randy already had this discussion with her dad). Tombstone knows that his daughter is going to do whatever she wants, whether he likes it or not, so she thinks “If I ask the question”, he can’t be that annoyed.
Also, having White Rabbit (her team member) working for Tombstone as an informer can help her as well. Play the game a know how to place your cards is on her mind. White Rabbit works because she’s crazy enough to go with this plan where I think the other members of the Syndicate would shy away from working with Tombstone out of fear that he may find out about them being an informant.
NITPICKS:
- Not sure why Tombstone had to choke his goon on correcting what train runs through Harlem…intimidation I guess.
- No Mary Jane in this issue.
- Did Robbie know what kind of limo he was getting into?
GRADE: Giving this one a B-. Really wanted to give it a D, but I can’t be personal bias on the story. Let’s start with the good. The art by John Romita Jr is amazing. I still think his illustrations are too blocky and I’m not a fan of it, but DAMN can he draw a really good fight sequence and to be honest, his art is WHY people are buying this book. Tombstone backstory is also shown which gives depth to the character, I’m actually glad Wells went in that direction with Lonnie, the “I was bullied too much” and consequences that follow needs to be noticed more, especially in these times that we live in. Gangwar is coming and looks like Robbie and Lonnie are going to after each other again, even though they were cool with it at first. More of Randy/Janice please. Now I come to bad of the book. Of course it’s the Peter/MJ/Paul thing that’s going on. This would have been an graded A book if this subplot didn’t exist!! Peter and MJ living together, engaged, with the rest of this story instead? GOLD! Readers are at a point were we just want Marvel to wake us up when it’s done. There are theories that it’s not MJ, but Moira Taggart and Paul is playing along to keep Moria safe and the kids are clones because of some X-Men nonsense that (I don’t care for) is happening. Or maybe it’s Joe Quesada’s last middle finger to the Spidey fans before he officially leaves. It’s unwelcomed, annoying, and just doesn’t need to happen. A lot of Spidey fans are considering dropping this book, because they are tired on being beat on.
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I’m only tracking ASM via these reviews, so thanks. Marvel likely hoped a lot of people would be fascinated by this mystery plot, but I wonder if most are absolutely fed up with ASM relentlessly treading water. Marvel screwed up the Kindred climax (by the end Kindred was obviously Harry, but suddenly for no reason it was the twins, and Harry became both perpetrator, victim, and rescuee at the same time, ??), and then they aborted any hope of a satisfying resolution to One More Day. So now Wells is here, I read these synopses, and all I do is throw up my hands in a feeling of frustrated futility.
I’m with Steve on that one. No way a few chains can keep the guy that pulled up a collapsing building or fought the juggernaut bound. It’s contrived at best.
The MJ/Paul thing. I reserve judgement until it is revealed, but my expectations are so low they hang out with the mole man.
So far, not impressed with the run. Also jrjr art is weird. The blood on Spidey mask looks like jelly. It’s weird.
@Chase the Blues Away: All your points are valid and agreeable, cept one. I don’t feel that Tombstones origin is a copout, he did giver clear explanation on WHY he is the way he is.
@Michael: I honestly hope it’s not Ben. Need to stray away from that messed up pile of good as much as possible.
@Paul Penna: Strongly agree! Everything in the crime war story and Janice/Randy marriage is good and this issue could be better if this Paul/MJ thing isn’t happening. Like I said. Just leave off with Peter and MJ engaged, living together and follow through what with the rest of the story. That’s your audiance.
@Dark Mark: As always pal, I can never figure you out. I can get lucky from time to time, you really are a riddle wrapped in an enigma. No, the Paul/MJ is not cute, it’s far from cute. It’s terrible, a tragic editorial mandate tactic that shows they don’t know and will never know their audience until some higher up from Disney cares and comes down to bust some heads.
@Steve – I believe the chains were not just specially made, maybe to restrain Digger or someone, but also with his hands behind his back, he’s got less leverage. Plus, I don’t think the ‘he’ Paul refers to on the phone is Peter Parker. I don’t think they are trying to de-power Spidey any. That’s just my take, though.
The fact that Spidey was so easily handled by Tombstone was a non starter for me. He can’t even break the chains he’s bound in? Give me a break. It’s also alluded to that Paul got violent with Peter “because he deserved it”. That implies that Paul bested Peter. What the hell is going on here? Has Spider-man been powered down somehow?
I enjoyed this issue! A few thoughts – I don’t think that Paul meant that he was violent with Peter before. He asked her when had she known him to be violent, we don’t hear her response, and then he says something like, “Well, he deserved it.” The he is a bit ambiguous and could easily be referring to a different time when he reacted violently.
I still think Paul is Mysterio helping out MJ and is wanting Peter to stop jeopardizing the illusion. Plus, I think they make a cute couple. Don’t you, Chi-Town?
While I am enjoying the story line, I do understand the complaint that Marvel has teased out the MJ/Peter thing too many times. But as long as I am getting a good gang war, I’m happy enough for now.
The Tombstone backstory was OK, but I felt maybe a little too long. Aqu@, in the last issue, Spider-Man took on Tombstone, but Tombstone was ready and maneuvered him into a confined space so that Spider-Man had no room to move. That gave Tombstone the advantage, beat on him mercilessly, and he basically squeezed him until he passed out. That’s why when he wakes up, he’s already worn out and hurting. Though, I must say, I didn’t particularly like Peter screaming out, “I LEARNED MY LESSON!” to avoid getting killed. But I guess he’s so weakened and those chains aren’t giving any, so he might just be trying to buy some time.
I believe that Tombstone is leaving because he WANTS Spider-Man to get away. He knows that Spidey isn’t going to get killed by his low-level goons. Why do I think that? He goes out of his way to tell Spider-Man where he is. Then, when the goon says the train that is rumbling through, he’s upset because the goon was correct and could have just spoiled the set up. Tombstone is not the brightest, but he has this planned out. There is no other good explanation for why he didn’t just kill Spider-Man in the truck after he passed out. He needs him alive for the next part of his plan.
Randy just blew it. His girl asks him to marry him, and instead of being all happy, he goes immediately back to trying to call his dad. She is NOT going to like that. This marriage will never happen.
Dang Joe Quesada’s leaving? Finally Spider-Man might be able to actually have growth and change now that he’s not in the picture
Good background for Tombstone. Not the most original, but it’s well written and feels right. I’m not a someone who has ever been a fan of Tombstone, but I am enjoying how he’s being written here. Also the Janice and Randy romance really works, and adds strength to the Robbie Robertson and Tombstone rivalry.
So, yeah, the A-plot here is spot on.
I continue to dislike the Paul/Mary-Jane teasing. And it’s not that I need for Peter and MJ to be together. I can accept that they aren’t and I can enjoy a single Spidey. But this is cheap. If they aren’t together, show why their relationship hasn’t worked out. There are reasons why the pair might break up. If MJ has been kidnapped, or is in hiding, or something, then just tell us. Do it quickly. The teasing is just annoying. I can’t believe that any reader is deriding pleasure from this mystery.
I will say, that this kind of tease might work with another comic book love interest, but Spider-Man fans have been jerked around in regards to MJ before. Understand your audience. To set this up as a mystery is a poor choice by everyone involved.
As one who didn’t read this and last issue, I must ask: is there a plausible explanation to why Spider-man stays chained and let himself be beaten by Tombstone?
As Chase the Blues Away was saying before getting asleep (LOL), maybe Wells just doesn’t know how collecting services work in reality.
@Michael
Based on how they interact and what they say, I would exclude Madelyne and the mailbox were goo constructs in the FCBD comic, unless Ben is really out as a cuckoo.
Re: Tombstone being bullied- I’m not sure it was ever mentioned specifically he was bullied but in Web of Spider-Man 68, he mentions how he turned evil because as an albino, he was an outcast among both blacks and whites. It’s not much of a stretch to say that bullying was a part of that.
Re: Paul- the point is MJ is worried that he might hurt Peter- that means he’s not a normal person. The theory that I subscribe to is that he’s a disguised Chasm. Ben could be using the psychoactive goo to disguise himself and if he wants to take over Peter’s life, he might want Peter’s debts paid. If Ben can shape the goo into people, the kids might be creations of the goo as well. That might mean that Madelyne and the mailbox in the FCBD issue were creations of the goo too.
Terrific review, as always!
I give the issue a D.
Why?
1) Story goes nowhere. At the end of the issue, Peter is left exactly where we found him. The reader learns nothing new. We already knew Tombstone was violent. We already knew there was a gang war between Tombstone and the Rose. We already knew Janice and Randy were heading toward marriage. The only new piece of information is Tombstone is reneging on his deal with Robbie thanks to Randy asking him for Janice’s hand in marriage. But otherwise, yawn.
2) Cliched backstory for Tombstone. “Bullied kid becomes a murderous bully” is one of the most unoriginal origin stories for a villain around. I agree bullying is terrible and should be eradicated as much as possible, but this feels like a cop out to excuse Tombstone from being responsible for the consequences of his actions. People have free will. There are far, far more kids who were bullied, including kids without strong support systems, who do not become mass murderers. Tombstone is a bad person because he makes very bad choices.
IMO the backstory detracts from the Tombstone shown in the first two issues, the rather urbane business-minded mob leader who likes to make deals and enjoys his mansion, wine and cat until he gets pulled back into meting out violence with own hands. Now, we discover he has a garden variety origin. Double yawn.
3) Waste of story pages on filler when the main plot isn’t advanced. What did Peter do six months ago? Do people even remember there is a crater in Pennsylvania? What lie did he tell May? What did he steal from the Fantastic Four? Why have he and Norman exchanged friendship bracelets? None of this is touched on. Instead, we get pages of Tombstone graphically beating a bound and chained Spider-Man. We get the picture, you don’t have to beat it, pun intended, into our heads. Plus an unneccesary backstory.
4) The scene with Paul feels like baiting the reader into thinking he’s a fine, upstanding nice guy, who is rich enough to hand over $1500 on a whim, and who is much better for Mary Jane than Peter. But like most bait, it’s fishy and stinks. IMO, this scene did not move forward this story; we still have no idea who Paul is, who the kids are, why MJ broke up with Peter, what MJ is doing now, etc. There might be more going on with the bill collector or maybe Wells has no idea how bill collecting wor ZZZzzzz – sorry, I fell asleep, I’m so bored by this plot line already. Land the fish or get out of the pond, Marvel, please.
5) I was going to give this issue a D-, but I upgraded after reading your comments on Janice. Nice call on the White Rabbit perhaps being a double agent for the Syndicate . I did notice last issue White Rabbit was packing up an Electro costume and I wondered if it was Francine’s, but maybe it’s an old one of Max’s. And it makes sense that Janice proposed, thinking she would take the heat from her father.
Summing up: great review, issue is a waste of pages that could have been used to move the story forward but left the reader pretty much right where we started.