Queen Goblin is a new weapon facing off against Spider-Man, but where is Ben Reilly? Isn’t he the new Spider-Man for the Beyond Corporation? You might think so, but in recent issues, Peter Parker has trained his body and is 50% of the way back to full power. Can that be enough to save Mary Jane and defeat Beyond Corp for good? Given there are only three issues left after this week’s Amazing Spider-Man #90, probably!
Written by Patrick Gleason with art by Mark Bagley, this issue is a crowd-pleaser for Spidey fans. It not only features some glorious double and full-page splashes by Bagley that’ll bring you back to your childhood, but it also features a triumphant moment for Peter to bounce back from. I won’t spoil it here, but Gleason has come up with a moment that is up there with some of the greatest moments of self-determination by Spider-Man ever. We’re talking “If This Be My Destiny…!” Steve Ditko level triumphant turn for the web-head.
This issue also ends up being more rounded out than the last because Ben Reilly plays a part. The Beyond Corporation literally burned memories from his brain to get him in line and he’s in a bad way. You feel for him, and you’re going to root for Peter to get this Queen Goblin in order so he can help his clone brother.
Speaking of Queen Goblin, seeing her gaze used on Black Cat in the last issue pays off here. It’s evident that was a setup for the use of the power in this issue and it works.
Bagley is a top 3 Spidey artist, right?
Credit: Marvel
While Bagley’s lines are great, there do seem to be some inconsistencies with inks and colors. It’s not a dealbreaker by any means, and with five inkers and three color artists, it’s bound to happen. There’s one page in particular where Spider-Man is being dragged by Queen Goblin where he’s grabbing onto a pole that looks particularly off. It’s subtle, but it throws off the flow a bit.
Letters by Joe Caramagna are great with good emphasis in bolding and even red lettering. Sound effects are particularly cool like a yellow and blue “Thwip” and the Goblins Gaze being punctuated with red lettering that bursts out of the word balloon.
One other minor quibble is what appears to be a continuity error. How did Janine help Peter in the last issue when she’s been swinging with Ben this whole time? It’s one of those details that doesn’t matter really, but it had me scratching my head.
Amazing Spider-Man #90 has the look, feel, and story ideas that make it feel like an all-timer issue. Not only does it feature splashy superhero action with Spidey, but it has a great use of the willpower moment we’ve all come to expect from Spider-Man in his darkest hour.
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