Back in the 70’s, when Marvel first published “Spectacular Spider-Man”, they jokingly informed the readers that they wouldn’t be diluting the waters by giving him as many spinoffs as Superman has. One example that they made was that they wouldn’t be giving Harry his own series. It’s 2010, and things have changed..
The Basics
Things aren’t going well for Harry Osborn. He’s struggling the keep the Coffee Bean afloat and the press at bay. Someone wearing an American Son costume, who may or may not be Harry, is out playing hero which only adds to Harry’s problems. The young Osborn also begins taking pills again. Plus, a fun backup story about the pressures of running a coffee shop.
What everyone is talking about
Gabriel Stacy returns and finally meets his brother Harry. Gabriel hasn’t been mentioned in years. While he’s not a popular character, his absence has been very noticeable since the Osborns have been running the world. It’s very glaring when Norman and Spider-Man mention things about Harry being Norman’s “only son”.
The Good
* Gabriel Stacy is finally being dealt with.
* Reed is actually doing something with the Watson/Osborn roomies situation.
* The backup story (written by Joe Caramagna and drawn by Todd Nauck) is actually fun.
* Harry is starting to feel like Harry again. When he was first brought back it felt more like the writers were copying what they had seen in the movies.
* Everytime Screwball is used, we get “hit you over the head” exposition about her motivation. This time it was alot more subtle.
* Todd Nauck drew the backup!
The Bad
* Harry and Mary Jane’s celebrity status varies for the purposes of the plot. Granted, all the books with them have this problem but it’s really apparent here. Harry is so famous that paparazzi follow him and he’s a household name…but nobody will come to his coffee shop. You would have thought that Mary Jane was Justin Bieber with the way people reacted to her in the backup, yet in every other story she walks the streets ignored. How famous are these people?
* More continuity errors in the recap page. Second time noticed in less than a month. Someone needs to start checking these stat. This time it says Harry’s “death” was in a building collapse. No.
* We’re told that the events of this mini-series tie into “Age of Heroes”. In fact, one of the major plot points is something that American Son does in “Age of Heroes”. It’s really annoying that the story for this mini-series can’t be self contained.
* Philippe Briones cannot draw eyes, especially for women. Look at Mary Jane and Norah’s eyes.
* I’m really not getting a consistant vibe from the Norah Winters character.
The Final Word
This isn’t “Kraven’s Last Hunt” by any means, but it’s a fun Spider-Man story. It’s also great to see how all this “Rise and Fall of Norman Osborn” stuff has been affecting Harry, a character who has gotten lost in all “The Gauntlet” madness. Pick it up!
3 out of 5 webheads. It loses a webhead for all the references to the stuff I’m missing in “Age of Heroes”.
The Slideshow
Check out the slideshow to see selected panels of the issue!
The Replacement
Due to the recent sex scandal and laundering accusations, Brad and I felt it was best if I stepped down as mini-series reviewer. Make way for Jon Wilson!
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I submitted a review of this when applying to Brad for the mini series job.
Rather than see it totally go to waste, I thought I would post it here.
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN PRESENTS: American Son #1
“A Patriot Act”
Writer: Brian Reed
Penciler: Phillipe Brones
Colorist: Jeromy Cox
Cover Art: Marko Djurdjevic
The plot:
The American Son Armor is stolen. The press is hounding Harry Osborne after Norman’s fall. The American Son is seen in action. Harry is back on drugs. Who is in the armor? A shocking ending.
The good: Brian Reed does a nice job of setting up the story and weaving a tail that leads us to believe that Harry is playing superhero. From the initial theft of the armor, he drop many hints that it is Harry in the suit. The supporting cast is used to great effect. First we see Norah trying to figure out who is wearing the armor and going to find the story at the Coffee Bean. MJ is concerned about Harry’s late hours and calls Peter to ask him to talk to Harry. Continuing to develop the plot that Harry is The American Son, an FBI agent approaches him to discuss the armor and explains the armor has a DNA locking system and it will not react to anyone wearing it who isn’t an Osborn. Just when you are convinced that it has to be Harry, someone shows up and introduces himself – as Gabriel Stacy! The final panel is a cliff hanger showing Harry being shot! In the era of every story being drawn out and padded this one moved at an accelerated pace, and I enjoyed that.
The cons: I didn’t have many of negatives to say about this story. The largest negative I have is that it refers to events that happen in “Age of Heroes #2 (Which was not out at the time this issue was released) and I don’t like the events of one mini series dependent on another. Another small dislike is the way Norah is visually presented. She looks like a Tokyo Pop girl, and while I understand they want to display Norah as free wheeling, I didn’t like this look.
The Bottom Line: I really liked this main story. The art is overall very nice, and the story is excellent. It makes me wish the Amazing title was this enjoyable.
4.5 out of 5 webheads.
Backup Story
“Bargain Donuts”
Writer: Joe Caramagna
Artist: Todd Nauck
Colorist: Chris Chuckry
The Plot: Harry’s business is in trouble, and he is being visited by debt collectors. All of Harry’s friends try to help the Coffee Bean. As Spider-man, Peter tries to get The Bean some advertising by promoting it on Screwball’s web show. Harry fights off Spiderman with a broom. MJ shows up, and everyone follows her into The Bean.
The Good: Again another fine story drawn by Todd Nauck. I wonder when he will be given a chance at the Amazing Title for things other than backup stories. This story has a classic Spiderman feel to it. Again the supporting cast is used to good effect.
I especially liked the framing of the story with it starting with Peter looking at a picture of the gang in happier times, and with it ending with a panel showing the gang all together again.
The Bad: Screwball. This story appeared on Marvel Digital, and while it is good to get it out to non digital subscribers, I didn’t like having to pay the extra dollar for something I had already paid for and read.
The Bottom Line: A fun and entertaining story 3.5 out of 5 webheads.
Thanks for mentioning the Harry’s death/building collapse mistake in your review, i found that really disappointing as well…
Yeah, there was no Bertone/ BD/ intern sex scandal. LOL. However, I want to publicly thank Josh for doing the mini series reviews over the last few months. Like many of us, work has gotten the better of us and we can’t devote as much time to our hobby as we’d like. However, he will continue to do spider-memories, spider-revisions and finish up that feature looking at Gwen. So he’s still a very important part of the site. Thanks again!
Actually, I hate to spoil the series, but I think it’s obvious to everyone that American Son is none other than Hulk Hogan.
Wait, I might be getting aliases wrong…
You and Brad were involved in a sex scandal?