Snapshot! Deadly Neighbourhood Spider-Man #4

Writer: Taboo & B. Earl

Artist: Juan Ferreyra

Depth of Field: Spider-Man and Crystal start to unravel the dream world and make their way to the Demon Bear’s maze.

Focal Point: I mentioned in a previous review the stories with a lot of dream sequences can loose me. But that this story wasn’t falling into those traps. Unfortunately it feels like we’re starting to fall in to that trap.

My issue with stories such as this, is the stakes are not always defined. For example in this issue Randy and Janice are mutated into monsters. It’s a fun chase sequence, but what does any of it mean. Are Randy and Janice going to remember this when they inevitably wake up? What are the consequences of them harming Peter and Crystal in the dream world? That sort of thing is a large problem in this issue. Similarly Spider-Man fights with a demonised group of Avengers, but these are figments if his imagination not really super powered beings. Does that make them more powerful or less? Unfortunately as the narrative shifts further into the dreamscape, we spend less time in reality, but combination of real and dream was what I enjoyed in the earlier issues.

Once Crystal joins Spider-Man in the dreamscape, it doesn’t take her long to realise Peter and Spider-Man are one and the same. I appreciated this, as she and Peter had been working closely together in the previous issues and it would have felt disingenuous if she hadn’t figured it out. She is supposed to be a scientist. I’ve been enjoying her and Peter’s working relationship and it’s a shame that after next issue we’ll never see her again. She could always move to NYC and get a job at Osborn Industries, but I doubt Marvel are going to want to keep paying Taboo every time she appears.

The art continues to be the highlight of the series. Juan Ferreyra was the reason I picked up the book, and he has not disappointed once. His Peter is instantly recognisable, his Spider-Man poses are both fresh and iconic. This may sound like hyperbole but I do believe if he were on Amazing monthly he could redefine the look of Spider-Man like how Todd McFarlane did in the 90’s. Their styles aren’t really comparable, but Ferreyra makes each image feel original, and shows Spider-Man in a dynamic fashion.

When Peter and Crystal arrive at the entrance of the Demon Bear’s maze, he is exhausted. He’s loosing the fight when a demon spider appears to challenge him. We’ve one issue left, to wrap this up. Overall I’ve enjoyed it, though next issue will tell if this is going to be a fun but forgettable mini or something I buy in trade and regularly revisit.

Grade: B- The fantastic visuals carry an almost by the numbers story.

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