In time for Halloween, the Hobgoblin is after Spider-Man! But why? And who is pulling his strings? We find that out and more in Amazing Spider-Man #13, which features not one, not two, but three goblins. That sounds like a deal if I ever heard one!
Absolutely no time passes between Amazing Spider-Man #12 and Amazing Spider-Man #13, opening with Norman Osborn bedridden at the hospital, calling for the nurse. She’s worried he’s hurt or dying, but no, it’s Spider-Man who is in danger! Norman can see everything Peter sees inside his new costume–designed by Norman–and what Spider-Man sees is two Hobgoblins attacking. Carrying over from the last issue, this is an all-out action-packed extravaganza. Hope you brought your glider!
Spider-Man certainly did, as John Romita Jr. gets to play with Spidey dodging goblin bombs and using his glider to avoid death. Writer Zeb Wells puts Spider-Man through the paces here, and you’ll feel the bone-crunching hits and slashes from Hobgoblin’s blades. There are also some fun blur effects used to enhance the action. The Hobgoblins are easy to tell apart, which is a necessary touch. The eyes are essential, but Romita Jr. also makes sure to have one eye closed here and there to show these villains are genuinely unhinged.
In one incredible panel, we see Spider-Man’s glider collide with Hobgoblin’s, with Spidey’s glider falling to pieces like fine china. The coloring by Marcio Menyz is fabulous in this book and this panel, mainly as he plays with the light of the explosion on Hobgoblin’s face. Throw in Joe Caramagna’s letters with a big “hahaha” bursting from the impact and Spider-Man shouting “Bug!” and it’s just one of many impactful moments in the issue.
Nice use of wood there, Spidey.
Credit: Marvel
Caramagna must be having the time of his life because the lettering goes completely off the wall for sound effects in this issue. They’re digitally rendered but as bombastic as anything that came out during Stan Lee’s tenure. Wild and crazy stuff, as Johnny Carson would say.
For fans interested in Norman Osborn’s journey, you’ll have plenty to sink your teeth into in this issue. From Norman’s heroic turn as the Gold Goblin to a moment where you won’t be sure if he’ll stop being violent, something is going on underneath it all. Throw in a mystery Zeb Wells tucks in near the end of the issue, and there’s a lot to unpack when Christopher Cantwell launches his Gold Goblin series.
The emotionality of Peter Parker gets some time to shine in this issue as well. In the closing scene, he connects with an old friend, and you’ll feel for them both. They’ve had a lot of history between them, and what they just went through adds to it. This helps remind us these moments do matter and build up over time.
Amazing Spider-Man #13 has some of the best action you’ll find in comic shops this week. Spidey goes up against two villains and gets battered so bad it’ll likely show up on lists, which is saying something since Spider-Man has his fair share of beatdowns!
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