Snapshot! Symbiote Spider-Man: Crossroads #1

Writer: Peter David
Artist: Greg Land

Symbiote Spider-Man: Crossroads is the fourth mini-series by this creative team. I like this approach, a Hellboy style on-going made up of a series of mini series. Let’s be honest at this point it’s more successful than the last two Spider-Man B titles. Hopefully the next Non-Stop Spider-Man will be along shortly.

For those not in the know; Symbiote Spider-Man is set circa Amazing Spider-Man #252 – #258. Peter has his alien suit, is dating Black Cat and has fallen out with Aunt May. Anyone whose read my Spider’s Shadow reviews will know that this is an era I have a personal attachment to. I consider #250 – #350 to be amongst some of my favourite Spider-Man stories. While this is not specifically a B-title, it rarely* has anything to do with the current status quo, it is a series I have enjoyed. Hopefully the fourth** instalment will be as fun as the previous.

*The 3rd mini-series was loosely tied into the King In Black event.
**Technically this is the fifth instalment if you include the Absolute Carnage one-shot.

Depth of Field:
Spider-Man and Black Cat learn that Moondark (who?) is preparing to steal a Viking stone form the Natural History Museum. They stake out the museum and confront the villain, but Moondark’s plan was bigger than Spidey and Black Cat were led to believe.

Focal Point:
The issue starts with J. Jonah Jameson and Robbie Robertson eagerly awaiting a presidential visit. They don’t name the president, but Symbiote Spider-Man has not shied away from its 80’s influences previously so I’ll leave it to your imagination. Unfortunately for Jonah, it appears that the President has been kidnapped and replaced by the Chameleon…wait a minute, didn’t this already happen in Amazing Spider-Man #583. Or already going to have happened depending on your prospective. Joking aside, it’s an light-hearted sequence and gives us some great Spidey vs. JJJ dialogue. Also fun to see classic Chameleon in his almost steampunk style goggles. The Chameleon’s conspiracy fails and the Secret Service escort him away.

After selling the photos to Jameson (seriously, this never gets old for me – being back this status quo) Peter escapes to the roof to meet with the Black Cat. Cat shares some information she overheard at a bar concerning a heist. Both she and Spidey realise the gossip was a little too detailed and though agree to investigate recognise the trap for what it is. I like seeing a competent Spider-Man. Both here and elsewhere in the book it is made clear that Peter has been doing this for a number of years and is more than capable. He can still make mistakes and does, but at the same time he’s not going to fall for an obvious trap. This is why Arrested Development Spider-Man bothers me. Seeing a novice make dumb mistakes is not an interesting story. If an expert is outsmarted, or beaten down then you know there’s trouble coming.

At the museum Spider-Man and Black Cat tackle Moondark individually, and then together. There’s also a charming moment where a Security Guard who was enchanted to “go play in traffic” returns and gets his revenge on the villain. An action packed sequence with a lot of twists, turns and exciting visuals. Greg Land haters, I’ll get to the art in a minute don’t worry.

In a shocking twist Spider-Man learns that Moondark (whose name I keep forgetting) is not the mastermind of the piece, but a pawn. The magic stone in question had an enchantment on it that needed to be broken. Once MD had done so, the true villain Karnilla the Norn Queen (help me, Google your my only hope) reveals herself. Spider-Man realises he’s a little out classed by this Thor character (thanks, Google), but decides to attack while he has the element of surprise. Karnilla opens a portal to banish Spider-Man, but like Peter B. Parker in Into the Spider-Verse, Peter isn’t getting sucked into a portal without his Pizza. Or in this case; magic stone. He webs the trinket out of Karnilla’s hand and he and it disappear through the vortex. This sequence has a number of smaller fights scenes, but each is presented differently and well structured in the script.

Honestly I had never heard of Moondark or Karnilla before, the mystical area of Marvel is not my area. Though they served their purpose in getting Spider-Man where he needs to be. Hopefully if one or both of them return we’ll get a bit more motivation for them so I can understand them better. Otherwise I’m going to have to do some deep dives on Marvel Unlimited.

I like Peter David’s writing. It’s clever, well paced and I feel his humour really fits Spider-Man. Especially while making fun of JJJ. It’s great to see how Spider-Man and Black Cat’s relationship is depicted. They are close enough they don’t need words to communicate, while at the same time Black Cat can’t get comfortable with Peter out of costume. It’s a nice dichotomy.

Photobombed:
But wait….”where the shock is Hulk?” I hear you cry. Hulk’s role in this issue is very much like Luke’s in The Force Awakens. He’s in the last panel, says very little, but leaves you hoping something exciting is going to happen next. I’m not familiar with this era of the Hulk either. Pre-2000’s I was really only into Spider-Man (leave your recommendations in the comments). I do like the Hulk though and am excited to see the adventure he and Spidey have coming their way.

Negative Exposure:
While I liked this issue, and the series as a whole, the art is a constant source of befuddlement to me. I think it is fantastic and awful in equal measure. Scenes where Spider-Man is web-swinging or engaged in any super-heroics look dynamic and are compelling. Then every so often Land will give us a close-up of a face, and it’s so awkward it makes me cringe. The picture I’ve chosen for the review, gives an example of this in neighbouring panels. Greg Lands art, you’ll either love it or you’ll hate it…I’m both at the same time.

Grade:
B- the minus is for the art. The B is for a strong, but not necessarily original story. I’m hoping now the table has been set future issues can have a lot more fun. Also 30 story pages for $4, seems very reasonable by today’s standards and no pointless back-up story.

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

• Adam