Amazing Spider-Man has been devoted to developing Ben Reilly’s place as Spider-Man while working for the Beyond Corporation. Something we learned in the last issue is that Miles Morales is breaking some copyright laws and Beyond is not happy about it. In this latest issue, Spider-Man fights Spider-Man, but who comes out on top? We find out in Amazing Spider-Man #81.
Honestly, the answer might be the Beyond Corporation. As we see in the opening of the issue, writer Saladin Ahmed continues to show how Ben isn’t 100% on board with Beyond Corp’s point of view, but he’s reminded they should be by the end of the issue. A lot is riding on Ben to keep the peace and do as they say, but he’s also a hero down to his bones and won’t be their slave either.
After a quick check-in with Ben’s girlfriend Janine, Ahmed and artist Carlos Gomez show how this book is also fun in the form of cool gizmos courtesy of the Beyond Corporation. It seems the science element of this new dynamic resides on the Beyond Corp versus Peter coming up with cool stuff, but Ben is more of a happy-go-lucky guy than a grind-the-gears gizmo maker. The gizmo in question is a fun idea involving flight.
Much of the issue involves Ben taking what he was told about Miles–and what to say to him about the copyright on the name Spider-Man–and doing whatever comes to mind instead. Miles and Ben definitely fight, but also team up and fight a faceless beast.
There’s something about sipping from a straw that conveys a lack of interest.
Credit: Marvel
If you’re reading all the Spider-Man books you definitely want to pick up Amazing Spider-Man #81 before reading Miles Morales: Spider-Man #33. Both use Miles Morales, but also serve as a two-part story involving something that controls a villain in this issue. Ahmed clearly understands how to write Miles well and the dialogue between him and Ben is great. Miles is still a young hero, but he stands against Ben when its obvious he’s not Peter.
The fight scene is well choreographed and entertaining, with plenty of Venom blasts and web action. Colors by Bryan Valenza add good lighting to the costumes and help distinguish distance. A key shot of Miles swinging in has the light bouncing of Miles’ suit well, and then Ben in a bit of shadow in the foreground to help break up their distance. The use of smoke is also added in well too.
As far as the drama between Ben and the folks at the Beyond Corp, this issue spins its wheels a bit. The same “do as we say” mantra from Beyond to Ben continues, but they have yet to put their money where their mouth is and punish Ben for stepping out of line. Surely that’s coming, but given similar points were made in the last two issues it’s starting to sound like empty threats.
Amazing Spider-Man #81 good issue, although it feels a bit like a rehash of the same pressures from Beyond Corp towards Ben Reilly we’ve seen before. That said, the interactions between Ben and Miles are entertaining and suit both characters while the action is well-drawn and entertaining.
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