The Chi-Town Breakdown: ASM: 63

                   
(Writer) Nick Spencer
(Artist) Federico Vicentini
(Colorist) Marcio Menyz
(Letterer) VC’s Joe Caramagna
(Editor) Nick Lowe
(EIC) C.B. Cebulski
Date Released 4/7/2021
Issue Number #63/864
Price Tag: $3.99
For a different perspective:
Alford’s Notes and Ryan’s Reads

Story Time:  “Light”-Norman is talking to his demon son in a box not knowing that Kingpin is watching him via surveillance monitors along with his new buddy, Baron Mordo.  After a brief editor’s note to entice you to read Secret Empire, Fisk offers Mordo the Tablet of Death ONLY if he can convince Kindred to give Fisk what he wants.  Meanwhile Spidey and Boomerang are fighting some of Hammerhead’s goons, the ones that were scraped from the bottom of the mob-union barrel.  Owl joins in on the fun only for Spidey and Boomerang to come out on top and win the day.  Both Robbie and Tombstone have a discussion with their kids (in their own hysterical unique fashion.)   After that Randy turns to Peter and Janice turns to The Syndicate for advice, we get a messed up flash back on how the two met.  Apparently the shoulder technique from Into the Spider-Verse does work.  It’s all for not when Crime Master and Madame Masque interrupt with a fight that ends with Peter and Fred coming home to witness certain news that EXPLODES in their faces.

The Breakdown

• Narration from Peter
• Father Talk
• Friend Talk
• Nitpicks
• Grade

Narration from Peter:  If you a frequent viewer on our podcast, our beloved webmaster Brad, has always stated that the book is called The Amazing Spider-Man so therefore Spider-Man should be in it.  In this issue he IS in it, but not for the amount of panels that the supporting cast is…visually that is.   Spencer masterfully writes Peter when shifting from scene to scene.  Spidey is there directing the reader on what they should be paying attention to.  This allows Spencer to write the supporting characters with their means and he does so in a comical manner.  While Boomerang and The Sinister Syndicate is written within their characterizations and Spencer delivers a presence of Spidey, he also doesn’t leave out other characters that are wrapped up in this arc.  Even Kingpin and Norman make a brief appearance while introducing Baron Mordo.  It may seem like a tall order for Spencer to deliver, but he does it in style and finesse that you can respect.

Father Talk:  The very humorous ying and yang of rivals telling their kids they can’t date each other.

• Robertsons:  Robbie isn’t happy with this certain life decision that Randy has made.  You can’t really blame him.  His son is dating a supervillain.  That’s like Dark Mark coming to grips that his son is dating and in love with a beautiful woman that just so happens to be an extreme Chicago Blackhawks fan.  It’s too much for him to handle.  Robbie and Randy are good people and try very hard to be respected by both their families, friends, and peers.  The classic father/son chat in not knowing that much information before you give the stamp of approval.  I find it interesting that Robbie is ready to expose the Lincoln crime family with a green light and little bit of personal vendetta.  He makes a deep case on why it needs to be done.  Now his son is involved and those cases are now put on HOLD, until he can get his son out of this mess.
• Lincolns:  Daddy’s ticked and his daughter doesn’t care.  For Tombstone, his get out of jail free card is now in jeopardy.   All that “would be power” now flushed down the toilet.  Like her dad though, Janice is not going to take any of that, in fact the more he’s upset about it, the more she wants it.  

I really like the way Spencer handles the view points of all parties involved.  It’s hysterical!  I love it and I can tell he had a smile on his face while he wrote it.  That’s good comic book writing.

Friends Talk:  How fun was it to read the conversation between Janice and her team?  All of you remember Spencer writing Superior Foes, now he’s right back in his wheelhouse with the Sinister Syndicate.  That transaction panels between them and Peter giving Randy advise is well paced.  I love how Spencer delivers anticipation to the reader on how Randy and Janice met. A build up to what only turns out to a love at first sight “Hey” greeting to which the ladies think is ultimate romance and Peter thinks it’s ridiculous.  All parties agree that Randy needs to talk to Janice and vise versa.  To set the record straight if they wish to continue this relationship.  Next panel..they are in bed together.  :D. Things get really interesting when the brawl in his apartment happens and then Peter and Fred join the mix.

Nitpicks:  

• Still not sold on Spidey acting taking screwballs Skitch.  I understand WHY he’s doing it, he needs the cash.  Still I hope Spencer keeps writing on how uncomfortable it is for him.
• There’s a lot of birds in his issue.  If you look at ever other panel, pigeons are everywhere!  
• Art was a bit off when it came to Peter and Fred.  

Grade:  A-  Fun writing and another enjoyable read.  Villains galore and Spencer feeling right at hope when writing these characters.  Nothing is forced and everything seems to fit in with the subplots that Spencer wrote in long ago.

Till next time Crawlspacers!