Amazing Spider-Man “Last Remains” is a bold attempt that fails to find its purpose, at least when it came to the main series. Out this week, The Amazing Spider-Man #50.LR-54.LR is collected in one place, focusing on the adventures of the other Spider-Man characters outside of Peter Parker. And they are not having a good time, as they’ve been possessed by Kindred and are in full demonic mode. Written by main series writer Nick Spencer with Matthew Rosenberg, this is a good action frenzy of a series, but may suffer from an event that seems rather pointless.
If you’re a fan of Miles Morales, Silk, Spider-Woman, and Ghost-Spider you may want to read this simply to find out about that one time they all teamed up and attacked New York. This collection opens with these characters attacking Spider-Man, and then later, attacking New York. Weaved into their turn as Kindred victims, this collection also builds on Green Goblin’s newly sin-free form as well as how Black Cat and Doctor Strange play into things. Consider this collection the B-story of “Last Remains” and you can gather its focus.
Sin-Eater also plays into this narrative with the character facing off against Morlun. It’s a head-to-head battle between Sin-Eater and one of the last major Spider-Man villains who hasn’t been cleansed. In fact, if you want to see how this character’s arc ends, you must read this book.
It’s baffling why parts in this collection weren’t just in the main book, especially Amazing Spider-Man #50. There are scenes here that help explain how the main event gets started, for instance. Once you get past that, the first issue plays out fairly well. Intercut with Spider-Man avoiding death from his friends who are now possessed with Kindred’s evil are scenes with the now-sinless Norman Osborn discussing with Dr. Kafka how he screwed up his son Harry. This gives the book ample ebbs and flows with both stories barreling down towards the conflict we’ve been waiting two years for.
Sweet full page splash!
Credit: Marvel Comics
One could argue this book exists to wrap up story threads with Sin-Eater and throw in a lot of action while Spider-Man is focused on Kindred. The action looks great and is highly kinetic thanks to Federico Vicentini’s pencils. There is a standout full-page splash (see above) of Spider-Man dealing with his friends in a submarine that you’ll want to linger on to enjoy each monster. Norman is effectively sullen and remorseful as he speaks to Kafka and these scenes play well against the chaotic fight sequence. Backed up by colorist Marcio Menyz, the book has that event tie-in feel where it has its own style, but it suits the event itself.
He’s aided by Takeshi Miyazawa on the last two issues who does well with a key scene between Norman Osborn and Mary Jane. It’s stylized and pairs well with Vicentini’s art. The art captures the chaotic energy of what is going on with Peter Parker sidelined on his own Kindred battles and that is captured well in the art.
Casual readers will dig the action and idea of monster versions of their favorite Spider-Man characters. Those seeking an important chapter in “Last Remains” will find very little that’s necessary reading, though. The plotting is confusing, especially since it is entwined with the main Amazing Spider-Man book, which is further complicated by check-ins with characters like Black Cat or Doctor Strange. This Amazing Spider-Man: Last Remains trade paper is more of a pit stop than a major chapter in the “Last Remains” story. Super Spidey fans may want to read this for the Sin-Eater scenes, but most everybody else can feel comfortable skipping it.
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